www.IndianaOutfitters.com - Indiana's Online Outdoor Recreation Guide
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Outdoor Resources:
Rivers & Streams
Indiana State Parks & Reservoirs
Hoosier Natl Forest
Knobstone Trail
Indiana Dunes
National Park
Mountain Biking

Links

VisitIndiana.net - a great Indiana tourism website
Indiana Tourism Info

Government Agencies


Hoosier National Forest  

The National Park Service George Rogers Clark National Historic Park
Indiana Dunes National Park
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

 

Government Programs


Becoming an Outdoors-Woman This is a really great program for women facilitated by Indiana DNR. Be sure to check out the many workshops they offer for a wide variety of outdoor activities and skills. Learn about things like fishing, shooting sports, canoeing, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, wilderness survival and much more. Plus, have fun and meet wonderful people!

 

Consumer Outdoor/Sport Shows


Indy RV Expo in Indianapolis, IN Each January you'll find the Indy RV Expo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

Valley RV & Camping Show in South Bend, IN Each January in South Bend you'll find the Valley RV & Camping Show in South Bend. You'll even find some closeout models at blowout prices.

Ft. Wayne Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin Show Taking place in January, the Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin Show in Ft. Wayne features boats, water sports, RVs, motor sports, hunting & fishing, vacation and travel, log cabins, hiking, biking and more.

Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show Taking place each February, the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show features boats, RVs, everything fishing, travel and tourism and much more.

Indiana Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Expo Find out all about the Indiana Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Expo, a consumer hunting show taking place during the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show each February.

Indiana Motorcycle Expo Find out all about the Indiana Motorcycle Expo, a consumer motor sports show taking place during the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show each February.

Fort Wayne RV & Camping Show February in northern Indiana brings the Fort Wayne RV & Camping Show. Find loads of RVs plus campgrounds and more.
 

Midwest RV Super Show in Elkhart, Indiana Every August you'll find RVs galore at the Midwest RV Super Show in Elkhart, the RV Capital of the World.
 

Fall Boat & RV Show Each fall you'll find a huge selection of boats and RVs at great prices at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

 

Environmental Protection Organizations


Friends of Muscatatuck River Society

They work to improve and maintain the Muscatatuck River. They have river cleanups, and they do some recreational paddling.


Indiana Audubon Society

Indiana's oldest conservation organization has a truly stunning site. It is very comprehensive and useful. It rivals this site in terms of breadth and depth of information, with loads of information about birds.


Indiana Lakes Management Society This group promotes and encourages the understanding and comprehensive management of lakes and reservoirs and their watershed ecosystems.

Save the Dunes Council They are dedicated to preserving and protecting Indiana Dunes along Lake Michigan.

Save Maumee The purpose of Save Maumee Grassroots Organization is to preserve, protect and improve the ecosystems of the Upper Maumee River & Maumee Watershed by increasing public awareness through advocacy, collaboration, education, and hands-on projects.

Sierra Club - Hoosier Chapter

They have several different groups within the state including, Heartlands Group, Five Rivers Group, and Dunelands Group.

They are an environmental organization that also goes on a lot of different types of trips.


Wildcat Guardians This group of people is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and beauty of Wildcat Creek.

 

Trail Building Organizations


Hoosier Hikers Council

This group is a prime mover in getting new hiking trails built.


Hoosier Rails-to-Trails Council They help build and promote trails.

 

Paddling Clubs & Resources


CanoeCamping.org - Top 40 U.S. float trips of a week or longer This is a really great site about canoe camping. It has a listing of the Top 40 U.S. rivers to enjoy float trips of a week or longer and lots of other information about canoe camping.

Cincy Paddlers Based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. They are an online group that plans a lot of trips and has a large member base.

Fort Wayne Canoe & Kayak Mostly racers, they paddle Tues. & Thurs. at 5:30 pm at Shoaff Park - St. Joseph River & Cedar Creek

Fort Wayne Paddle Club Designed to connect kayakers in the Fort Wayne area. They also provide an opportunity to learn about local paddling spots and small regional trips.

Friends of Muscatatuck River Society

They work to improve and maintain the Muscatatuck River. They have river cleanups, and they do some recreational paddling.


Hoosier Canoe & Kayak Club This is the biggest club in the state, and it is very active. Several of the members have sent in some trip reports.

IYAK - Indiana Kayakers

Primarily a recreational group, IYAK plans trips all over Indiana, and even a few out of state.


Indiana Kayak & Canoe Racing

The Indiana Division of the United States Canoe Association.

Indy Yaks Kayak Fishing Association

This is Central Indiana's premier kayak fishing association. The group was formed with one thing in mind..."fish, and fish often, from a kayak or similar vessel".


Michiana Outdoors Michiana Outdoors Recreation Enthusiasts is a very informal group. No membership is needed - just show up to paddle! Their mission is to meet new people, and encourage folks to enjoy the great natural resources in the Michiana area.

Lots of reference information for paddling and much more.

Northwest Indiana Paddling Association

They are a group of 200+ members that is working to open up water trails in Northwest Indiana.


River Books & Programs
by Jerry Hay

Find info on books and much more from river expert, Jerry Hay.

South Bend Paddling Club This is an informal group of individuals, families, and youth from the South Bend area with an interest in paddling activities. They gather for weekly group paddles, mainly on the St. Joseph River, but also to different lakes and rivers in the region. This group is for both the amateur and the competitive paddler.

The South Bend Adventure Club This is an active club that does all kinds of outdoor trips throughout the Michiana area and beyond. Be sure to also check out their nice Outside the Bend blog.

Viking Canoe Club This is an active club that focuses on whitewater. They are actually located in Louisville, KY.

West Michigan Paddlers Based in West Michigan. They are an online group that plans a lot of trips.

 

Hiking Clubs


Bedford Hiking Club An active group that does a variety of hikes.

Bloomington Hikers An active group.

Central Indiana Wilderness Club A really cool group that is located in Indianapolis. This group goes on adventures in Indiana and all over the country. Members can use club equipment and share in the clubs 10 passenger van.

Indianapolis Hiking Club This is a big club of over 650 members that does about 1,000 hikes annually.

Sierra Club - Hoosier Chapter

They have several different groups within the state including, Heartlands Group, Five Rivers Group, and Dunelands Group. They go on a lot of trips in addition to being an environmentalist group.


The South Bend Adventure Club This is an active club that does all kinds of outdoor trips throughout the Michiana area and beyond. Be sure to also check out their nice Outside the Bend blog.

Northwest Indiana Outdoors An active group that does a variety of trips.

 

Flying Clubs


Central Indiana Soaring Society Use your own glider or one of the club's aircrafts. Based out of the Alexandria Airport (west of Muncie, Indiana).

 

Bicycling Resources


HMBA - Hoosier Mountain Bike Association Check out the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association website for information on trail maintenance, cycling events, and more!

Pete and Ed's Books Find articles about diet, correct cycling form, and more.

 

Skiing Resources


XC Ski Indiana Find places to cross country ski, events, advice, and more at this great website - the Hoosier Guide to Cross Country Skiing.

 

Hunting Resources


HoosierHunting.com Lots of great specific hunting information on this site!

 

Camping Resources


Indiana Campround Owners Association The Indiana Campground Owners Association, Inc. has information on their member campgrounds throughout the state. Perfect for RV camping.

 

Caving Resources


National Speleological Society

Find a grotto in Indiana to join for caving trips, events, cave information, and more.

 

Motorcycle & Off-Road Resources


Redbird State Riding Area Currently Redbird State Riding Area has over 600 acres on public land, and it is located between Greene and Sullivan counties.

 

Tourism Websites


www.IndianaWineries.com Find out about all the wineries in Indiana, plus what outdoor recreation opportunities are close to them.

A great Indiana Tourism Website. The perfect complement to IndianaOutfitters.com

 

Publications


All Outdoors - Dedicated to the conservation and enjoyment of Indiana's natural resources This is the website of the late "Bayou Bill" Scifres, outdoor author, retired sports and outdoor writer for the Indianapolis Star, and author of the All Outdoors column. It has lots of great articles, recipes and more!

Driftwood Outdoors This is the website of Brandon Butler, an Indiana outdoor writer, and hunting and fishing enthusiast.

The Gad-a-Bout This is the website of The Gadabout, a free newspaper found at outdoor stores all around Indiana. Now you can get the paper online also.

HoosierTimes.com An online only version of the Herald Times. It is very nicely done and it contains an OUTDOOR ONLY section. Be sure to go there and check it out.

Indiana Outside A new website focused on Indiana outdoors.

River Books & Programs
by Jerry Hay

Find info on books and much more from river expert, Jerry Hay.

Wavelength Magazine This is a printed paddling magazine that offers it's magazine free on-line.

 

Out-of-State Outdoor Resources


Waterfalls Lodge in northern Ontario

For a really big fishing adventure that the whole family will enjoy check out Waterfalls Lodge, a drive-to fishing lodge in northern Ontario!

You'll find fantastic food, superb accommodations, spectacular scenery, super hospitality, loads of area attractions, and fabulous fishing at the only lodge on a chain of five lakes!


Ski Whistler Blackcomb Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and more in Whistler, BC, Canada.