INDIANA FIDDLERS' GATHERING
CAMPING
PLEASE NOTE: Major changes for camping will be in effect for the Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering in 2010.
ALSO NOTE: There seems to be a little confusion - it has always been the Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering policy that purchase of a weekend pass is required for all campers.
First a word about WHY we are making these changes: After the 2010 festival, the Tippecanoe County Parks Department approached us with some concerns about the festival. One concern was the stress camping was leaving on the grounds and the impact on the trees in the park. They wanted us to move ALL camping to the nearby state park. We explained the importance of camping to the festival, they understood, and were willing to work out this compromise we all could live with.
Please keep in mind that we make the park into an improvised camp ground. Please don't expect all the bells and whistles of a true camp ground.
NEW: For Tent Campers: There will be no cars on the camping grounds at any time. In the past behind the old lodge building (now called the Brier Nature Education Center) many have parked next to their tents using their cars as support vehicles. We can no longer do this. You'll have to park in the lot and bring your camping gear to the sites. We are going to make a designated parking area for tent campers near the tennis court area where you can leave your can for the weekend and be separate from the concert attendees. We'll have carts to help you along and handicap parking close as we can. No cars can park along the gravel road oval there. It will only be open for staff and police vehicles. Pop ups and vans will need to be in the RV area. No camping in the area adjacent to the parking lot.
The oval road area is also the only means we have to get the pump truck in to pump the portajons. The dense parking in this area last year made it impossible for the truck to get through.
If you are used to camping either with a tent in the parking lot area next to the tennis courts (the new "tent camper parking area" on map below) - you'll have to move into the designated tent area. If you used to park a pop-up or camp via truck bed/topper, you'll have to move to the RV area.
NEW: For RVs: We've closed the RV area south of the Museum area by the sidewalk. We know you enjoyed the shade but it's just too tough on the trees and we want them to last a long while. They'll be expanded RV parking by the pool area and on the north end of the paved parking lot.
NEW: The pool house is being torn down soon and the pool is broken and is closed permanently. Again, this is out of our control.
NEW: The Parks Department said everyone is welcome to use the concrete fire ring. They will provide firewood. Please don't bring your own because of the ash-borer problem. We'll move some picnic tables around it. Nice place to jam.
Please no early arrivals. Friday is best.
Primitive tent camping inside the grounds.
Camping is $5 per night and the purchase of a weekend pass is required to camp/RV.
Limited RV camping is available also on a first-come first-serve basis. Some electric hookups are available but cannot be guarenteed. There are no water/sewage hookups avaiable. Please understand that the park was never designed as an RV camping facility. If water/sewage and electrical are a requirement, you can also try Prophetstown State Park which is just a stone's throw down the road.
CAMPING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (please read):
What do I need to camp?
Each camper needs to purchase a WEEKEND PASS to camp. Each site is $5.00/night.
Should we pre-pay/pre-register for camping?
You do not need to pre-pay (you can if you want) or pre-register for camping.
Can we get/need reservations for camping?
There are no reservations necessary. Everything is on a first come, first served basis.
Where do we park?
Parking is convenient to camping area. We now have a designated parking area for tent campers who will not need to move their vehicles during the weekend.
What facilities are there available?
Drinking water is available in the tent camping area for no additional charge. A portable shower is available but a bit cool. Food is available on the grounds during festival hours.
Why is the lodge closed?
The Tippecanoe County Parks Department converted the lodge from a public rental facility to an nature education center. It's no longer available to the general public. Even if it was still available, the septic field has failed and it can no longer handle any kind of capacity.
Will you run out of primitive tents sites?
We have plenty of room. There is limited space but we've not run out of tent sites in 30 years of operation. That being said, we can only be 99.9% certain of this - you never know.
Is RV camping allowed?
A limited number of RV campsites are available. They are also $5.00/night and a Weekend Pass is needed for each camper. We cannot guarentee an electric hookup. There are no water hookups or sewer. We ask that you turn off generators during concerts.
Where do I go when I arrive? What do I do?
For primitive tents: If you plan to camp in a tent site, park your car in the lot (field actually). Go to the MAIN GATE. There you'll find the CAMPING INFORMATION table. You can buy your passes there and the staff will register you and help you get settled in. We've got wheel barrows to help move your stuff.
For RVs: When you pull up to the park, follow the signs to the sites. After you get parked you can make your way to the CAMPING INFORMATION table and get your tickets and registration.
What have the Romans ever done for us?
We want to acknowledge all the help the Tippecanoe County Parks Department has given us over the years including:
- When we lost our administrative capacity back in 1988, the Parks Department gave us office space for 6 years free of charge!
- The Parks Department had donated storage space for our supplies, fence, old staging, signs, lights and electrical for over 20 years now.
- They've provided heavy equipment and labor for us whenever needed.
- They spend extra time preping the grounds each year for us.
- They supply our campers water access from their workshop.
- They trim up the trees for us making for a safer area and to accomodate the stage and sight lines of the audience.
- They load up all the trash barrels and deliver them to us.
- They provide us with dirt to fill in all the ruts we make in the grounds.
- They think the Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering is a wonderful event.