Located on the banks of the Elkhart River, Ox Bow Park is a reflection of Elkhart County’s natural beauty. Here you can discover the diversity of our natural environment and experience the renewal of spirit which nature provides.

Ox Bow Park was established in 1969. The

park was originally developed with matching funds by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Prior to that date, what is now Ox Bow Park, was a self supporting 113 acre farm for the Elkhart County Home. Residents of the County Home helped work the farm in return for room, board and medical care.

Ox Bow Park gets its name from a natural feature found within the park, an oxbow of the Elkhart River. Oxbows are U-shaped lakes that form when rivers change their course. Their shape resembles the bow

of oxen yokes used by pioneers. This ancient river channel is now a wetlands which support fish and a wide variety of plant and wildlife species.

Ox Bow Park offers hundreds of acres set aside to provide space for outdoor activities and the preservation of plant and wildlife habitat. This multi use philosophy is at the heart of the Elkhart County Parks. The park is managed with the needs of our park visitors and the natural environment in mind. 20% of the park is developed for your recreational needs and 80 % is left in a natural state for the plants and animals that call Ox Bow home.

Ox Bow provides four seasons of

outdoor enjoyment with its well maintained picnic areas and seven open and one winterized shelter. Volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and playgrounds can be found throughout the park. Other features include paved bike trail, an archery range, observation tower, athletic fields, canoe launch, an open-air chapel and an 18 hole disc golf course. During the winter months, you can find groomed trails for cross country skiing as well as two sledding hills and a warming house for an afternoon of snow-filled fun.

Honey Locust Shelter     Capacity - 75     Fee - $75.00
Open-air shelter located near the oxbow of the Elkhart River. Hiking trails lead along the river, oxbow and through a beautiful woodlands. It's a short walk to the spillway and fishing areas. Shelter includes a campfire platform. A swing set, sand box, horseshoe pit and volleyball court are nearby. Handicap-accessible.

Black Maple      Capacity - 50     Fee - $50.00

Open-air shelter located in the heart of the park. The spillway and fishing pier are just across the road providing excellent fishing opportunities. The trails lead through the woodlands and

board-walked wetlands with good wildlife viewing. A short walk will take you to the disc golf course, or across the theme bridge to a playground area, athletic field and volleyball court. Shelter includes a campfire platform.

Cottonwood      Capacity - 75     Fee -$75.00
Open-air shelter overlooking the beautiful wetlands. The shelter is located across the road from the archery range and athletic field with plenty of room for ball sports. Hiking trails, playground equipment, horseshoe pit and volleyball court are nearby. Shelter includes a campfire platform. Handicap-accessible.

Farmstead      Capacity - 50     Fee - $50.00
Open-air shelter located adjacent to the disc golf course. Secluded off the main roadway, the area provides good opportunities for viewing wildlife. The shelter is close to the spillway and fishing pier. Nearby trails lead you along the oxbow and wetland areas.

 

Stable      Capacity - 110     Fee - $100.00
Open-air shelter adjacent to the first tee of the disc golf course. Hiking trails, horseshoe pit and a volleyball court are nearby. Handicap-accessible.

Ox Bow Haus      Capacity - 50     Fee - $125.00, Security Deposit - $100.00
Enclosed shelter with electricity and modern restroom facilities. Tables and chairs are provided. Picnic tables and grills located on back deck. Wood burning stove provides warmth during cooler months. Hiking trails, athletic field, playground and volleyball court are nearby. Ox Bow Haus is open to the public as a warming house December thru February.

Hickory Hill Chapel      Capacity - 50     Fee - $50.00
Open-air, three-sided structure located in the lower athletic field with mature evergreens as the background. Wooden benches are arranged in amphitheater style seating.

 

 

All shelters are full price, Saturday, Sunday & holidays,

all other weekdays are half price.

 

January, February, November, December 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. March, October 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. April, September 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. May, June, July, August 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Park hours subject to change without notice.

Location

23033 County Road 45, Goshen, IN 46528
Located on County Road 45, north of US Highway 33, midway between
Elkhart and Goshen, IN.

Elkhart County Parks and Recreation

211 W. Lincoln Ave.
Goshen, IN 46526-3280