Otter Creek in Indiana

Trip Overview

Nice day float and paddle. The creek bottom is mostly sand, gravel, and stone. The view from below the dam spill way is nice. On the day we went the level was a little low, so at times we scraped bottom and had one portage around the area near Hasselburger Bridge.

The creek is well shaded with trees on both sides. We saw red tailed hawks, egrets, deer, otters and fish as we floated towards the Wabash River. The creek had some debris from homeowners near it, but all in all not bad. During our trip we saw only one other person.

The river section down the Wabash was uneventful. For a longer trip one could take out at the boat dock at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute which is south of the US 40 Bridge. For a shorter trip one could put out at the Mike Kerns Access located in Tecumseh, IN. That access point will be on the right side of the river as you travel south on the Wabash.

Tecumseh will be a short paddle distance from where Otter Creek meets the Wabash River. My buddy Jeff and I were starting to wear down (given our age), so we put out by the Elks Club. They have an old concrete ramp that was used years ago.

Accommodations:

There is parking available and a restroom. There is not (at this time) a well defined put-in.

Fees:

One may need a DNR sticker.

Directions:

Mill Dam Park - Located in the Northern part of Terre Haute, IN.
Follow Fruitridge north to Park Avenue. Turn right on Park at the the yellow flasher. Follow Park until you see the bridge. Mill Dam will be on your right.