Nature Park - Camping

Camping at the Nature Park

Camping: Tent camping is permitted on weekends for DePauw groups (students, employees, parents, alumni) by reservation only. There is a spigot with running water at the campground and there is an outdoor restroom (port-a-let) at the campground. Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table. Public restrroms are available at the nearby Welcome Center.

Dates: April 1 to November 1, Friday and Saturday nights only. Some event exceptions may be arranged with Nature Park Director..

To reserve a campsite:

For faculty, Staff or Student you may use the Event Scheduling System through e-services to reserve a campsite. Under event location, select "Nature Park campsite".
If you don't have access to e-services, contact Nature Park Director's Office (765) 658-5018 or submit your request in advance via e-mail to: naturepark@depauw.edu
Reservations must be made by Thursday at Noon (EST) for the upcoming weekend.
Campsites are reserved on a first-come first-served basis. Confirmations will be provided via e-mail.

Fees: $10 per night per campsite. Write a check payable to "DePauw University" with memo note "Nature Park Camping". Give your check to the Park Ranger on duty when you check in at the campsite. Please contact the Park Staff when you arrive by calling 7650658-1076 or via our Public Safety Office at 765-658-4261.

Check In and Out Times: Check in with the Park Ranger after 12 noon, check out by 12 noon on the following day. Campers must be at their campsite prior to sunset.

Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Campers may not leave the campsite area after sunset. Emergency services (Blue Light Emergency Phone) are available at the Welcome Center. Campers are also encouraged to have a cell phone for access to Park staff and emergency resources.

Trash: Campers must clean their campsite as they leave the park. Trash may be removed from the site or placed in a trash dumpster.

Number of People/Tents per Site: Six people is the maximum number allowed at a campsite. Each site may have two small tents or one large tent. No vehicle camping or camping trailers are permitted.

Vehicles: Vehicles must be left in the main parking lot. You may drive to the campsite to drop off and pick up supplies when you first arrive and when you are ready to depart, but you may not make repeated driving trips to and from the campsites during your stay.

Site Responsibility: The person reserving the campsite is responsible for guests and campsite activities.

Campfires: Campfires are permitted only in the fire ring provided at the campsite. Campfires must be extinguished before leaving the site. Firewood will be provided by the Park staff. Please do not remove wood from the property.

Picnic Tables: Each site is outfitted with a picnic table. Borrowing tables from other sites is allowable only with permission .

Nature Park Rules: All rules for the Nature Park apply (no hunting, fishing, swimming, alcohol, drugs, rock climbing, etc.).

For information about the Park, contact:

Brien Holsapple, Park Ranger 765-658-1076...Doug Cox, Park Director 765-658-5018...Vanessa Fox, Biologist and Program Coordinator 765-658-4772

Emergency contact: call DePauw Public Safety 765-658-4261 or 911 or contact the Park Ranger on duty. Emergency blue-light phones are located at the main gate and next to the Welcome Center, and Prindle Institute parking lot.