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Summit Lake State Park
5993 N Messick Rd, New Castle, IN 47362, United States
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Sc
Review №1

This is a nice lake for kayaking. There are some nice coves to explore and get see wildlife frequently. I haven’t fished here but I see many others with lines in the water.

Ry
Review №2

We go here a lot to picnic or just walk the trails with the family. Its clean and the staff are friendly. This park offers nice activities such as kayaking/canoeing/paddle boat/row boat, walking trails, camping, fishing, a beach and a few areas for the kids to play at.

Br
Review №3

This place is nice, its not in the city but not too far to get to either. It is very clean and has a variety of things to offer from hiking trails to camping to water activities. In an area where we do not have many quality state or national parks it is nice to have this one around.

Ma
Review №4

Lovely place. A little crowded sometimes but you might get lucky and only have a few people there. Swimming is allowed from dawn to dusk and the sunsets there what a view! I’m going to share two photos we took just last week. They have a great camping area as well. It’s $7 to get in or you can buy a pass.

Ki
Review №5

A great park for hiking especially Trail one.

Ma
Review №6

Beautiful trails and scenic views, the campgrounds are nice but seem a bit close to each other. Staff was nice and helpful. You have access to water, showers, and restrooms. Convenient location and overall great variety of activities to really disconnect, explore, and experience nature.

Mi
Review №7

This was my first time going to Summit Lake, went to visit our daughter and her husband while they camped.Wonderful park, relaxing around a campfire and eating steaks.The whole park looked great, campsite with your water and electricity wonderful time.We will go again and again.Great park well maintained too.

Ki
Review №8

Clean and peaceful. We enjoyed our time there. Restrooms are open and so is the concession stand!

DA
Review №9

Great campground. Well taken care of. Beautiful lakeFishing okay. Could be better. Need to change speed limit to 10mph inste6of idle onlyOver 800 acres!

Te
Review №10

Great little lake, swimming beach, put a kayak in in many places. Nice town not too far for food and groceries. Park host was friendly. One loop is shaded and one not.

St
Review №11

Nice place to do alittle kayaking or canoeing. Fishing is good too. Small beach area. Concessions stand is closed.Note: goose dropping all over.

je
Review №12

This is a great place to take the family. Kids had a blast. They loved swimming the walking trail and the play ground.

Mi
Review №13

It was my first time ever going there and I live five miles away from it. I loved it so much it was beautiful and peaceful and just an amazing Place and I cannot wait to go back!!

Mi
Review №14

First time at this park and we loved it! Tented at spot 94 on the lake. Bathrooms were large and clean. Sunset and sunrise amazing. Lots of wildlife! Quiet. Hiked trails 1 and 2 with my boys... a little muddy but there has been a ton of rain. Wish we would have had bikes. Hope to go back when the beach is open. It looks like it will be nice!

An
Review №15

Enjoy the lake and trails there. Not too big, but not too small. We were told that the concession stand was open and then get to the beach to find out its not. The bathrooms are clean for a lake and the showers were hot. Could use more supervision from park rangers, people taking floaties out past the rope and then small children were following them out. They have nice shade trees with picnic tables spread through out. Over-all I do enjoy going out here with my family.

Am
Review №16

This place was great! I just went to the beach there, but cruised around. It is a really well kept and nice park.

Am
Review №17

Absolutely fantastic definitely recommend to anyone by yourself or your whole family! Great Beach and boat docks and you can rent canoes and row boats and kayaks and paddle boats for pretty cheap!!! Over all best lake I have ever honestly been too! DNR is extremely helpful and kind!!! My bf and I tipped our canoe, okay Im thicccc so DNR let us have a row boat it was wonderful didnt even charge us!!!

Do
Review №18

We have camped here a few times and really enjoy it! They have put new gravel in the sites and have tried to make them more level. They also have water and 50 amp at each site, which makes it nice! Just wish they would put in sewer, then it would be really awesome!!

Da
Review №19

All I did here was go camping for a night, but we really enjoyed it. The sites were decent sized and felt semi secluded from each other, and they were pretty well kept. There was also pretty much always a bathroom close by. The beach was also clean and roomy. My only disappointment was that the camp site closed really early (5pm).

Su
Review №20

I love the serenity of this lake. Its beautiful and offer hiking trails, camping, fishing, bird watching. There is a Eagle and its nest is high up on a pole next to the lake so the Eagle has a birds eye view for hunting. It is way up in the air and super cool to see. It is a trolling motor lake which enhances the peacefulness.

Sc
Review №21

Boat fishing is good. Bank fishing is difficult. Needs more shoreline access for bank anglers. Otherwise an enjoyable park.

K
Review №22

We spent the weekend camping, relaxing, and found the campground to be small and well kept. Camp sites are easy to access with a travel trailer. Fishing seems to be the most popular activity on the lake, but there are some nice open areas for picnics and gatherings, as well as a small, clean beach with concessions. Well be going back!

To
Review №23

Very clean restrooms and showers. Nice hiking trails. Very well maintained campsites. Highly recommend.

Da
Review №24

Beautiful park, great outdoors adventure, fishing, camping, nature trials,beach, boat rentals...go in the middle of the week, its way less crowded and peace full. Great 3 days with my family.Thank you and God bless.

Ga
Review №25

Cold but nice except the ones across the street who let their dogs run off leash. Not happy there.

Ka
Review №26

The people across were very loud. They had too many cars parked at their site the entire weekend and made it tight for people to get through. Overall, we had a good time.

Ja
Review №27

Clean well maintained lake, good fishing, especially if you have a boat. Swimming area clean and well maintained. Need motor boar rentals, and more rest rooms

Lu
Review №28

Nice clean and quiet campground. Very friendly people. Close to fun Mtn. Bike trails.

De
Review №29

Visited for the first time. Enjoyed the beach and the water on a hot day except for the rocks. The state needs to bring in a machine to clean the sand and remove the large stones. The water was very clear. Looking forward to returning and walking the trails when the weather cools.

Ra
Review №30

This is a second home for us during the warmer months. It is a great place to have some peace and quiet.

Ky
Review №31

What a hidden gem. Great kayaking, very quiet, cant wait to go back.

Da
Review №32

Not very happy with the site. Had to place blocks on ground to get in camper. And the ground very unlevel.

Ke
Review №33

Stunning park, clean permanent pot-a-potty, well kept landscape. Highly recommend! Went for kayaking. Did not disappoint!!

ju
Review №34

Close to where I live, but still all nature! The staff is so nice and they seem to love their job. Also, if you ever think where are all the DNR these days. Well I think I saw at least 10 different officers from my camp site in 3 days. People respect that kids are everywhere and move slowly when ever they do. Of course Hoosier hospitality is not lost here as all the campers we spoke to were nothing but nice and open to conversation. The beach is nice and the facilities were all very clean. If you love fishing, you will not be disappointed here. Just walk for 5 minutes and you find a spot you can call your own. Great hiking and all the camp sites have electric and water.

Wi
Review №35

The lake is beautiful and the hiking trails are great. I enjoyed swimming at the beach this summer.

Ta
Review №36

Quiet peaceful lake with nearby campground. Lake is wide open with multiple islands to explore. Best to go on a weekday!

Re
Review №37

Small, but a very nice park. Clean, well maintained, and friendly staff. Nice size campsites, but a bit unlevel. Enjoy!

Ji
Review №38

Great little get away. Trails, fishing, picnic & swimming, camping...local nature at its best

Re
Review №39

The water is super dirty and there were geese everywhere. We couldnt even walk without looking down do to all the goose poop. But the scenery was beautiful and we loved you could rent boats.

Lu
Review №40

Very nice, well maintained park. Campground spaces are mostly shaded and spacious for most of them. Lots of trails for hiking, boat rental, beach area. There were quite a few campers when we visited but it was still very quiet and peaceful.

Ki
Review №41

Great place to enjoy the scenery and unwind. The beach is nice in the summer. The only problem is that there is no way around the duck poop that is everywhere for this place. Really makes it hard to enjoy when you’re just trying to avoid stepping/sitting or otherwise interacting with the duck poop. We did go ride bikes on a day it was raining, luckily we found a shelter house quick!

Ka
Review №42

Fishing camping boating get it all in one place for low entry cost of $7 camping may cost extra

Lo
Review №43

Beautiful lake, great for all kinds of activities or picnics. Definitly worth a visit! Always kept clean and many places for group visits, fishinv, boating, swimming, and more!

Je
Review №44

Great fishing and beautiful grounds.

Bo
Review №45

Nice wide trails, plenty of various activities..fishing, walking, swimming, boating (idle speed, or manual paddling), nice campgrounds with plenty of wooded or non-wooded sites. It is a convenient drive from Indy area and provides a quiet escape from lifes noise.

Ci
Review №46

Nice lake, clean facilities. Sand at swimming area is a bit dirty and coarse, but otherwise nice.

Rh
Review №47

Been here with neighbors before at the campground. Views of the lake were absolutely breathtaking. It might have been cold but the trip was still amazing.

Kr
Review №48

Awesome weekend with friends and family while camping

Ti
Review №49

Camp site 97 is where its at!!! The seen is beautiful. Also you can rent boats, canoes, and paddle boats. My least favorite thing it the lake is hard to fish.

Ed
Review №50

Nice place to camp and go out on the lake. Just about every spot needs significant leveling so make sure to bring extra leveling blocks.

Br
Review №51

Beautiful state park. The fishing isnt bad either..

Co
Review №52

Love the campground which is always quiet, clean, and maintained. The lake is great for kayaking and exploring. Kids loved every minute. The only downside was the beach was covered in goose poop and feathers. Otherwise, fantastic park!

Sh
Review №53

Weather was great. People were social distancing. Restrooms were clean! Sand and area around water well maintained. Thank you DNR!

Ju
Review №54

Its a state park so amenities are hit and miss. There are skme aggressive Canadian geese and a lot of manure everywhere as a result. Beach is small, but functional. Recommend sandles as the beach is rocky.

ro
Review №55

Nice long hike thru woods. prairie/ meadow and near waters edge

Br
Review №56

Great lesser know state park. Good hiking. No crowds.

Da
Review №57

Its a nice place. Great trails. Dont understand why in Indiana I have to pay to get into a park.

Er
Review №58

Went family camping with our Cubscout Pack. It was amazing. The staff was great, they let us move to a bigger campsite and wr did a cleanup project for them. It was rainy most the time but our kids loved it.

si
Review №59

It is well taken care of. All the trails are nice and mowed. Very clean lake.

Re
Review №60

Love this place. DNR drove through alot daily checking on everyone. All campers friendly and respectful. Clean. Stayed 5 days.

Kr
Review №61

One of my favorite places on Earth. Love taking photos here. Some of the most beautiful sunsets on Earth.

Ga
Review №62

The campsites with shade all have a bit of grade to deal with, but otherwise they are great. Bathrooms are well maintained and the lake is a good place to fish and pilot various watercraft. We will stay again.

Br
Review №63

I just have kayaks and its a big enough lake to putt around in and the motorized boats can only idle around. Several trails too.

Ti
Review №64

Beach is small, and trials are full of bugs. Not a very fun place. However the little ones like the beach and had a lot of fun with friends.

Al
Review №65

Nice campsite, but not very many interesting trails making the park feel small. Lake is idle only and rented boats need returned pretty early.

Ch
Review №66

My family hiked around this park this morning on trails 1, 5, and 3. It was really good for our young kids, nothing strenuous. The trails were flat and wide. We saw several birds that we don’t get to see in the city, which we all enjoyed. The bathrooms were open, even though the park seemed mostly empty. We want to go back this summer for camping and swimming.

Hu
Review №67

Loved it . You can actually rent boats , canoes, peddle boats , paddle boards and kayaks (single only) . The lake is huge . And prices are really good for rentals . Campground looked good , going camping here next .

Ju
Review №68

My girls always have a great time. They have opened up even with covid19 and while our local pool opened late and closed eay summit did not, so thats awesome!

Jo
Review №69

Its a very quiet and peaceful park. Diverse wildlife and good fishing. Camping is the best in the area. Would recommend.

Ma
Review №70

Beautiful place to watch the sunset.

An
Review №71

Staff is great and they are working hard as h### to keep everything clean and safe.

El
Review №72

It was an ok little beach. Small, and not real clean. Shouldve went fishing though. Still made a good day of it. Going to check out the trails next time.

Su
Review №73

We had an amazing time here! Being able to launch our canoe directly from our campsite was so amazing. Saw tons of fish, birds, turtles and plenty of chipmunks and squirrels. Campground was overall clean and very family friendly, DNR was always around. So dog friendly too, I wish we had brought our boys with us! If youre looking for a site right on the water with plenty of grass, choose campsite 96 in area B. And if you dont have a canoe or boat, RENT ONE! Because the whole lake is idle only it was so peaceful, the best part of our trip!

Vi
Review №74

The lake is beautiful. The fishing is okay dont really catch anything everyday. But its very peaceful and I wish I couldnt live there tbh

Jo
Review №75

Wonderfully quiet and relaxing lake. I even got to see an osprey.

St
Review №76

Good lake to fish. Nice boat ramps.

Do
Review №77

Beautiful place to visit. Wish boat rentals could be later than 2:45pm.

He
Review №78

This State park was lovely. Well maintained.

Pa
Review №79

Nice park, large campsites and good trails

Jo
Review №80

Very CLEAR AND CLEAN WATERJUST wish they would cut the anachris in the water..so we could fish more from the bank.Could actually see the fish in the water

Tr
Review №81

Great place with beauty scenery. Also very friendly people love fishing there.

Ga
Review №82

Great place to camp and kayak

br
Review №83

Love the park and the staff, it could use a few more trails around the water .

Gr
Review №84

The campground was very nice and well kept up

Ca
Review №85

I was dating someone whose whole life revolves around sitting for hours on the fishing bank. Im not one to sit and Im not interested in fishing, so I suggested this lake as a great fishing spot for him and a source of entertainment and adventure for me. There was something like a $50 membership fee, which he didnt seem interested in paying. Weve gone our separate ways since then, so Ill probably be going to this lake with the Fam.

Me
Review №86

Very nice. Well kept

Te
Review №87

Nice to get back out to Summit. Still very nice like I remember it was.

La
Review №88

The park is lovely and the trails are easy to navigate.

Mi
Review №89

We like the nice beach. Perfect for a hot July day.

Ro
Review №90

Its way to over grown. Not enough people can fish. Boats had no anchor!! But the help there is nice!!

Bu
Review №91

Had a very nice weekend. Great campground!

Wa
Review №92

Nice park. Great for kayaking and photography. Not completely happy about the entry fee. I could buy the annual pass, but I dont visit that often.

Ca
Review №93

Had a blast. So pretty, and clean, perfect for a relaxing day out in the sun!

Sa
Review №94

It was great!! Just wish there were less rocks in the sand.

Ch
Review №95

Always fun. I just dont get how small the swimming area is

Ro
Review №96

The beach was gorgeous! People were being respectful and social distancing on the beach and in the water!

Ma
Review №97

Smaller park but clean and expanding, great place for family adventure.

Cy
Review №98

Lake is very nice and probably one of the best state parks I have been.

Da
Review №99

First time driving through. Really nice!

Ja
Review №100

Great campground! Make sure you bring an extra long water hose! There are no traditional fill up spots. But, they have water hook ups every few campsites! I actually prefer it like this. They lake and rentals are amazing as well. Rent a canoe for approx $5/hr or $21 for the whole day. That is a pretty cheap family fun day!

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:5993 N Messick Rd, New Castle, IN 47362, United States
  • Site:http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2967.htm
  • Phone:+1 765-766-5873
Categories
  • State park
  • Park
  • Tourist attraction
Working hours
  • Monday:7am–11pm
  • Tuesday:7am–11pm
  • Wednesday:7am–11pm
  • Thursday:7am–11pm
  • Friday:7am–11pm
  • Saturday:7am–11pm
  • Sunday:7am–11pm
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • Public toilet:Yes
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