Ouabache state park, bluffton ticket price timings. See 6 photos from 37 visitors to ouabache state park fire tower. Ouabache state park 6720 e state road 201 bluffton in 46714. Im trying to climb all the state park fire towers in indiana. Fire tower puzzle climb, ouabache state park 9222018. All campsites, cabins, rentacamp cabins and state park lodgesinns at indiana dnr properties will remain closed through and including may 23, 2020. With restoration complete, the tower will be a fitting tribute to the young men and women who played a significant role in the early history of ouabache state park. This 86 steel structure and metal 7x7 cab with interior wood panels was constructed in 1935 by. Ouabache sp fire tower dedication news journal gazette. Campground details ouabache state park, in indiana. Blufftons ouabache state park fireobservation tower. The fire tower reopened for climbing this summer at ouabache state park in bluffton, ind.
Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The state of indiana began to build fire outlook towers in 1930. Come celebrate the reopening of ouabache s fire tower. Thank you so much for visiting ouabache state park. Lincoln city tower lincoln state park you will find this homely fire tower along the southern border of indiana. Ouabache state park will host a dedication celebrating the restoration of its iconic fire tower on friday, aug. The state department of natural resources is planning a dedication ceremony on friday for the tower in ouabache state park near bluffton. We now have a swim beach that is open from memorial day through labor day. Mccormicks creek state park tower the friends of mccormicks creek state park are working to restore their fire tower to its original condition. The fire tower has been restored and we plan to open it soon to the public again.
The state park provides an unaltered recreational ground to rv vacationers offering a natural landscape of great beauty. The department of natural resources, engineering division, closed access to the top of the tower. Ouabache state park has lost one of its pieces of history. The top of the tower closed in april 2015, though, after an inspection showed the towers steps were rotting, metal supports were rusting, and the structure was in desperate need of new. Response from louise m, front office manager at ouabache state park responded nov. Aug 23, 2019 spectators climb the ouabache fire tower on friday to get a view of surrounding bluffton not seen in years after a dedication ceremony made possible by donations from friends of the ouabache state. Friends of ouabache state park has started a fundraising campaign on to restore and reopen the tower.
Ouabache is a smaller park that is well maintained. Ouabache state park firetower restoration and bison. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible yearround. At 120 feet, it is one of the largest towers that the civilian conservation corps constructed in the state. Oubache state park fire tower to reopen in spring 2018. Ouabache state park is located in bluffton, indiana, about 40 minutes south of fort wayne today we are going to explore the fire tower here. Due to safety concerns, the access to the tower was closed in the spring of 2015. The wabash river runs through the park, which provides fishing and nature viewing. From camping, bike trails, a bison exhibit, a holiday light display, to one of indianas last remaining fire towers, here are the reasons that you need to plan a visit to ouabache state park. Oct 29, 2018 as well as 25acre kunkel lake, the fire tower and the bison exhibit, ouabache offers a modern campground, tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas, playing fields and an asphalt bike trail that follows the wabash river along the southern edge of the park. The tower was originall built in the 1930s by civilian conservation corps ccc camp s93 to help people spot wildfires in the area, and it was in need of some updates. Ouabache state park bluffton all you need to know before. We hope you enjoyed our newly renovated fire tower. The indiana department of natural resources has adjusted services, events and operations to protect hoosiers and prevent further spread of covid19.
The fire tower in ouabache state park was built in the 1930s by the civilian conservation core. Ouabache state park bluffton 2020 what to know before. Ouabache state park bluffton 2020 what to know before you. Ouabache state park bluffton 2020 all you need to know. Ouabache, the state park with the peculiar name, is also one of indianas most unique parks. It was originally the wells county state forest and game preserve, formed in the early 1930s. Ouabache fire tower restored indiana construction news. Jul 27, 2017 with restoration complete, the tower will be a fitting tribute to the young men and women who played a significant role in the early history of ouabache state park.
To celebrate the completion of the restoration of the ouabache state park fire tower, the group that raised the funds for the project is holding a dedication ceremony the tower was originall built in the 1930s by civilian conservation corps ccc camp s93 to help people spot wildfires in the area, and it was in need of some updates. Ouabache state park 6720 e state road 201 bluffton, in parks. View autumn from lofty or lowly places, like a fire tower or fort. Ouabache is difficult to spell, but easy to pronounce. Ouabache state park, an indiana state park located near. I dont understand why they are closed on the weekends when people are off work and open. We are so happy that you enjoy the bison, our campgrounds, boats, and playground areas. Friends of ouabache state park presents the legacy brick campaign, to be placed in the redesigned fire tower plaza. Ap restoration work has been completed on a 100foottall fire tower in a northeastern. Aug 21, 2019 restoration finished on indiana park s 1930s fire tower the state department of natural resources is planning a dedication ceremony on friday for the tower in ouabache state park near bluffton. Julia and anna swinging on tire swing at ouabache state park 050420 duration. Ouabache state park, an indiana state park located near bluffton.
This fire tower was built in 1939 nine by the civilian conservation corps. Our family has been going to ouabache for many years now. Spectators climb the ouabache fire tower on friday to get a view of surrounding bluffton not seen in years after a dedication ceremony made possible by. View autumn from lofty or lowly places, like a fire tower. Ouabache state park fire tower stairs, indiana fire towers. In the year 1962 it became the ouabache state recreation area, before finally being given the status of a state park in the year 1983. Reserve a facility online or learn more about lodging and activities. Iconic fire tower gets new life after community effort wane.
A 100foot 30 metres fire tower offers an excellent view. Friends of ouabache state park has partnered with the indiana department of natural resources to restore the fire tower at the ouabache state park. Attention indiana dnr campgrounds and cabins reopening may 22, 2020 if you have a current campsite or parkoperated cabin reservation for sunday night 5242020, please be patient, as you will be contacted directly by phone message andor email about your options. Ouabache fire tower to reopen thanks to fundraising campaign. At the height of the great depression, several hundred men from throughout the u. The indiana chapter has 7 current members although one member lives in new mexico. Ouabache fire tower to open once more to the public. May 03, 2017 the ouabache state park fire tower is shown. The bluffton parks iconic fireobservation tower is expected to reopen after a three year closure, and its. It has since been opened as an observation deck for visitors of. The indiana volkswalk association inva held one of their five 10k walks for 2018 at the ouabache state park to highlight the lookout tower and bison herd in the park. Ouabache state park tower, shown here, was closed in 2015 when it was deemed unsafe. It was built by members of the civilian conservation corps, a public work relief program enacted under president franklin d. Theres there are only a few fire towers left in indiana.
It is located 30 miles south of fort wayne, indiana. Aug 23, 2019 a view from the ouabache state park fire tower. In 1962 it became the ouabache state recreation area, before finally achieving state park status in 1983. Dec 27, 2018 ouabache, the state park with the peculiar name, is also one of indianas most unique parks.
Ouabache tower ouabache state park the ouabache tower soars over the state park at just around 100 feet. Visit ouabache state park on your trip to bluffton or. Please do not attempt to call the property or the call center reservation line to make a new reservation due to extremely high. The trail is good for all skill levels and offers a number of activity options. It is hard to stay away from and always a challenge to make it to the top. 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.
Ouabache a most unique park rec the journal gazette. Friends group ignites fire tower renovation indiana. Fire tower sports courts volleyball pit iron mike statue bikeboat rental lo c a tion map indianapolis ouabache state park w a b a s h r i v e r c. Your news local ouabache sp fire tower dedication is aug.
Remnants of some of the old pens can still be seen. A 100foot 30 m fire tower offers an excellent view of the park. Ouabache state park has partnered with friends of ouabache and wells co. As well as 25acre kunkel lake, the fire tower and the bison exhibit, ouabache offers a modern campground, tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas, playing fields and an asphalt bike trail that follows the wabash river along the southern edge of the park. The wabash river runs through the park and offers opportunities for fishing.
The fire tower was built in the 1930s to help people spot wildfires in the area. Scenic lookout in bluffton, in foursquare uses cookies to provide you with an optimal experience, to personalize ads that you may see, and to help advertisers measure the results of their ad campaigns. All reservations with arrival dates between now and may 23 will be canceled or shortened and refunded at this time. Friends group ignites fire tower renovation indiana landmarks. Information, reservations and camping in ouabache state park, indiana. This is the french spelling of an indian word, so dont be surprised to hear some folks call it. We take grandchildren to experience the fire tower, buffalo, geese, boating, hiking, swimming, and nature in general.
Ouabache state park 6720 e state road 201 bluffton, in. Oct 31, 2017 next spring promises to be exciting for ouabache state park. Response from louise m, front office manager at ouabache state park responded 3 nov. One of ouabaches most notable attractions is a 100foot fire tower overseeing the park that opened in 1935. The tower is 100foot long, and it is one of the three towers that were built in the north of indiana. How many of these indiana fire towers have you climbed. The 100foottall fire tower in ouabache state park was built in the 1930s by the civilian conservation core. Ouabache is french for the indian pronunciation of wabash. Next spring promises to be exciting for ouabache state park. Indiana dnr firewood rule important for campers and picnickers. Jul 02, 2019 lincoln city tower lincoln state park you will find this homely fire tower along the southern border of indiana. The bluffton parks iconic fireobservation tower is expected to reopen after a three year closure, and its new beach will contribute. The 100foot fire tower at ouabache state park has fallen into disrepair.
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