Ouabache State Park

Ouabache State Park The official Indiana DNR page for Ouabache State Park. Ouabache became a State Recreation Area in the 1960s, then a State Park in the 1980s.

Ouabache, pronounced "oh-bah-chee" was originally operated as the Wells County State Forest and Game Preserve from the 1930s to 1960s. Many historical features of the beginnings of the property can still be seen along roads and trails. Visitors to this state park can find many recreational activities including hiking, biking, fishing, boating, swimming, camping, playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts as well as picnicking, a nature center and a 20-acre American bison exhibit with live bison in a natural setting. Please review our commenting guidelines at https://on.IN.gov/dnrsocial. This property is in the Eastern time zone.

Field trip time! It is always exciting when school buses roll in and hundreds of students get to experience Ouabache and...
09/28/2026

Field trip time! It is always exciting when school buses roll in and hundreds of students get to experience Ouabache and the bison! Big thanks to staff and volunteers for leading the students on nature and bison hikes. We hope the students come back with family and friends!
Want info on school field trips to the park, email [email protected].

on.IN.gov/ouabache

The bison agree it is still muddy on some of the trails from all the rain we had over the last two weeks. It is recommen...
09/27/2026

The bison agree it is still muddy on some of the trails from all the rain we had over the last two weeks. It is recommended to wear boots while exploring the park.
Download the trail map at on.IN.gov/ouabache

THANKS to everyone who came out for our National Public Lands Day (NPLD) W**d Wrangle. NPLD is United States’ largest s...
09/26/2026

THANKS to everyone who came out for our National Public Lands Day (NPLD) W**d Wrangle. NPLD is United States’ largest single day volunteer event for public lands. Giving back is the best way to celebrate the importance of our public lands! Troop 242 from Greenfield joined the effort along with many others to cut down invasive plants.

Learn more about ways to control invasive plants https://www.in.gov/dnr/nature-preserves/heritage-data-center/invasive-plant-species
Find info on other W**d Wrangles https://sicim.info/weed-wrangle-indiana

There is a lot happening at the park this weekend. Make plans to join us. All programs are FREE with paid gate fee. Sa...
09/25/2026

There is a lot happening at the park this weekend. Make plans to join us. All programs are FREE with paid gate fee.
Saturday, September 26, 2026
All day- FREE FISHING- No license required. Park entry fee applies.
10-12:00-W**d Wrangle. Learn about invasives while helping beautify the park. Meet at the park office.
10 a.m. Bison Feeding
Meet at the Bison Feeding shed to learn about our National Mammal and watch them eat a snack.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ouabache Scavenger Hunt
Stop by the Park Office to pick up a scavenger hunt. After you find all the clues, come back to the Park Office for a prize!
Sunday, September 27, 2026
1 p.m. Tailblazer Hike
Join us at the Trails End Shelter Parking lot with your furry friends to take an easy 1.5 mile hike and learn how to make our companions great stewards of the outdoors.
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. CCC Challenge Hike
on.IN.gov/ouabachesp

These seven new Trailblazers are excited because they heard that there is a hound hike this Sunday, Sept. 27th, at 1:00!...
09/24/2026

These seven new Trailblazers are excited because they heard that there is a hound hike this Sunday, Sept. 27th, at 1:00! (see events). These pups are committed to practicing good etiquette while visiting the park!
Pictured are:
Stormy-A 7-yr-old husky mix who sings when you squeeze her squeaky toy!
Rudy and Finn- 13-week-old Bassett Hound litter mates. Rudy is a cry baby and Finn is on his first camping trip!
Lou Dog- A 3-yr-old Boxer/Pit who loves stuffed animals!
Smith & Harvey- 2-yr-old Bernedoodles. Despite the 40 lb weight difference, they are litter mates!
Bailey- An 8-yr-old lab who loves scratches and treats!
Stop in the park office and get your pooch signed up!

on.IN.gov/ouabache

Welcome Bluffton Street Fair! From the fire tower you can see the fair flags hung from the Bluffton Courthouse. A good c...
09/23/2026

Welcome Bluffton Street Fair! From the fire tower you can see the fair flags hung from the Bluffton Courthouse. A good camera or binoculars will help to spot them. Thanks, Alan Daugherty, for the photo.
Share your photos from the tower.
Learn more about State Park Fire Towers at https://ow.ly/aPNE50WXaPU

W**d Wrangle this Saturday, Sept. 26th, from 10 am- noon! W**d wrangles are a fun way to learn to identify and remove i...
09/22/2026

W**d Wrangle this Saturday, Sept. 26th, from 10 am- noon! W**d wrangles are a fun way to learn to identify and remove invasive plants and beautify our park. Target species: Bush Honeysuckle, Privet, and Autumn Olive. We have tools, or bring your favorite hand pruning tools. (No chainsaws please!). Dress for the weather and wear long sleeves, long pants, and close-toed shoes. Hats and gloves are also advised. Meet at the park office.
on.IN.gov/ouabachesp

Here is our weekend schedule. All programs are FREE with paid gate fee! Make plans to join us! Photo Kevin ButtsSaturd...
09/18/2026

Here is our weekend schedule. All programs are FREE with paid gate fee! Make plans to join us!
Photo Kevin Butts
Saturday, September 19, 2026
9 a.m. Bison Feeding
Meet at the Bison Feeding shed to learn about our National Mammal and watch them eat a snack.
10 a.m. Bison Feeding
Meet at the Bison Feeding shed to learn about our National Mammal and watch them eat a snack.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ouabache Scavenger Hunt
Stop by the Park Office to pick up a scavenger hunt. After you find all of the clues, come back to the Park Office for a prize!

Sunday, September 20, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. CCC Challenge Hike
Go on a self-guided adventure and learn all about the CCC on a 5.5-mile hike. Pick up a brochure for our CCC Challenge Hike at the Park Office.
on.IN.gov/ouabachesp

The park and campground are open! We are wet, but not flooded! Here are pictures of a few of the campsites. Trail one...
09/18/2026

The park and campground are open! We are wet, but not flooded! Here are pictures of a few of the campsites. Trail one around the bison pen is fine to hike (wear suitable shoes/ boots!). All of the hiking trails have areas of standing water. The bike trail from the campground to the dam parking lot is clear.
on.IN.gov/ouabachesp

Back in the 90's, several state park properties built deer exclosures as part of a Purdue University study to see the im...
09/17/2026

Back in the 90's, several state park properties built deer exclosures as part of a Purdue University study to see the impact of deer on plant life. Many are no longer up, but Ouabache's exclosure is still intact and is located off a path behind the lodge. A great reminder of the importance of wildlife studies!
on.IN.gov/ouabachesp

Address

4930 E State Road 201
Bluffton, IN
46714

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 11pm
Tuesday 7am - 11pm
Wednesday 7am - 11pm
Thursday 7am - 11pm
Friday 7am - 11pm
Saturday 7am - 11pm
Sunday 7am - 11pm

Telephone

+12608240926

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ouabache State Park posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category