A fresh start: State officials announce $25 million plan for new MCSP campground

Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have released formal plans for a modernized, expanded campground at McCormick’s Creek State Park (MCSP) east of Spencer. The announcement marks a major milestone in the recovery of Indiana’s first state park following the devastating EF-3 tornado that struck the property in March 2023.

“As Indiana’s first state park, McCormick’s Creek has been a place where families and friends have gathered and created memories for more than a century,” Governor Braun said in a news release. “The tornado in 2023 was a heartbreaking moment in the park’s history, but we are now ready to rebuild this campground stronger, more resilient, and better suited for today’s visitors. We look forward to welcoming campers back to camp once construction is complete.”

The late-night storm on March 31, 2023, packed peak winds of nearly 150 mph and cut a destructive 400-yard-wide path through roughly 282 acres of the park. The campground suffered catastrophic damage, toppling most of the surrounding mature trees and destroying over 90% of the sites in key loops, alongside all three campground shower houses. Following extensive multi-year debris removal, root ball extraction, and site cleanup, the grounds are finally clear and prepared for rebuilding.

The newly designed campground will feature a larger footprint spanning 65 acres, housing 192 modern campsites equipped with full hookups for electricity, water, and sewer. Measuring approximately 32 by 40 feet, the modern sites are built to comfortably accommodate larger recreational vehicles. Additionally, 32 primitive campsites will remain available for tent camping, and the park’s existing group camps will continue to welcome visitors.

To enhance the overall visitor experience, the $25 million project also includes building a new gatehouse, a camp store, and three modern comfort stations equipped with adjacent playgrounds. Substantial landscaping and tree planting initiatives are integrated into the master plan to restore the natural forest character of the campground area. True to local roots, the Indiana DNR Division of Forestry will supply timber used for constructing the new gatehouse and camp store.

“McCormick’s Creek State Park holds a special place in the hearts of so many Hoosiers, and the loss of the campground in the 2023 tornado was felt across our entire state,” added Brandt Baughman, Director of Indiana State Parks. “Our team has worked thoughtfully and carefully to design a new campground that honors the park’s history while creating space for future generations to explore, connect, and make memories.”

Construction bids for the infrastructure, including buildings, electrical grids, water lines, and sewer systems, are scheduled to open on Oct. 20. State officials anticipate that the newly rebuilt campground will officially open to the public in the late summer of 2028.

Detailed information regarding the 2023 tornado and ongoing recovery efforts can be found online at on.IN.gov/McCormicks-Recovery, while general park details are available at on.IN.gov/McCormicksCreek.