Overview
A brief introduction to Ouabache State Park
Ouabache [wɑːbɑː'ʃi] (a French transcription of the Miami Indian word for the river, waapaahšiiki, meaning "it shines white", or "shining water over white stones") is a state park in Indiana. It is located 30 miles (48 km) south of Fort Wayne, Indiana near Bluffton, Indiana. It was originally the Wells County State Forest and Game Preserve, formed in the early 1930s. In 1962. it became the Ouabache State Recreation Area, before finally achieving state park status in 1983.
The Wabash River runs through the park, which provides fishing and nature viewing. A 100-foot (30 m) fire tower offers an excellent view of the park. The park receives about 200,000 visitors annually.
Until the 1960s, when the practice was stopped, it was the greatest producer of chicks of pheasants and quails in the United States, making it known as the "Greatest Wildlife Laboratory in the U.S." Remnants of some of the old pens can still be seen.
During the Great Depression, workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped to improve the park through various construction projects. Today, in the park's picnic area, is a statue commemorating the CCC's work in the park. The Friends of Ouabache State Park organization led a two-year fundraising effort to build the statue. The statue was dedicated in 2014. Similar statues commemorating the CCC exist across the United States, but the only other such statue in Indiana is in Versailles State Park in Ripley County.
The park is 1 of 14 Indiana State Parks that are in the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse, with the park experiencing 2 minutes and 47 seconds of totality.
ARE Ouabache State Park campsites SOLD OUT?
We can help! Many campsite reservations are cancelled daily. Just tell us when you’d like to camp at Ouabache State Park, and how long you want to camp for. We’ll text you when a suitable spot opens up!
Scan for cancellationsContact Ouabache State Park
- Reserve America
- Booking site: https://www.reserveamerica.com
Spotted an error?
Whoops! Sometimes we make mistakes. Want to help improve the Ouabache State Park listing? Please suggest a correction.
Other nearby parks
Open to camping at other nearby parks? Here are a few other parks you'll find in the vicinity.
Reviews
Camper reviews for Ouabache State Park
Be the first to post a review of Ouabache State Park!
How was your visit to Ouabache State Park? Share your review of Ouabache State Park and help fellow nature-lovers make an informed decision.
Post a reviewMap
View a map of Ouabache State Park
UNABLE TO RESERVE A CAMPSITE?
Get notified when a sold-out campground has availability
Tell us when, where, and how long you want to camp for. We’ll notify you (via SMS) when a suitable spot opens up at that campground—so you can nab that sold-out campsite reservation!