SPENCER – Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources today released plans for the new campground at McCormick’s Creek State Park, which will feature a larger campground footprint and expanded campsites designed to better serve today’s campers and enhance the visitor experience.
“As Indiana’s first state park, McCormick’s Creek has been a place where families and friends have gathered and created memories for more than a century,” said Governor Braun. “The tornado in 2023 was a heartbreaking moment in the park’s history, but we are now ready to rebuild this campground stronger, more resilient, and better suited for today’s visitors. We look forward to welcoming campers back to camp once construction is complete.”
In March 2023, a deadly EF-3 tornado directly struck McCormick’s Creek State Park, destroying the park’s campground and toppling most of the surrounding trees. After extensive debris removal and site cleanup, the area is now prepared for construction of the new campground.
The new campground design includes 192 modern campsites across 65 acres, each with full hookups to electricity, water, and sewer. The modern campsites will measure approximately 32 by 40 feet, offering more space than the original sites and providing room for larger recreational vehicles. In addition, 32 primitive campsites will remain available for tent camping, and the existing group camps will continue to be available to rent.
As part of the project, a new gatehouse and camp store will be constructed, along with three new comfort stations and playgrounds located near each building. The plan also includes substantial tree planting and landscaping to help restore the natural character of the campground area.
“McCormick’s Creek State Park holds a special place in the hearts of so many Hoosiers, and the loss of the campground in the 2023 tornado was felt across our entire state,” said Brandt Baughman, director of Indiana State Parks. “Our team has worked thoughtfully and carefully to design a new campground that honors the park’s history while creating space for future generations to explore, connect, and make memories. We’re grateful for the support that has made this progress possible, and we look forward to welcoming campers back once this beautiful new space is complete.”
The construction of the new campground, including buildings, electrical systems, water lines, and sewer infrastructure, is expected to cost $25 million. The Indiana DNR Division of Forestry will provide timber for the gatehouse and camp store. Construction bids will open on Oct. 20, 2026, and the campground is expected to open in late summer of 2028.
Information about the 2023 tornado and recovery efforts at McCormick’s Creek State Park is available at on.IN.gov/McCormicks-Recovery. General information about the park can be found at on.IN.gov/McCormicksCreek.
