IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.


Mobile Site RSS Feeds

Outdoor Recreation > Trails > Indiana Canoeing > Water Trail Guide > Big Pine Creek Big Pine Creek

Big Pine Creek combines natural beauty with a challenge for the canoeist. Like many small streams, Big Pine Creek's water level fluctuates quickly, and usually in April and May the meltwater and spring rains rush to the creek and quickly turn it into a series of whitewater rapids. However, during dry periods and much of the summer, canoeists should avoid Big Pine Creek due to insufficient water levels.

One stretch named Rocky Ford is a series of rock ledges just downstream from Rainsville. During periods of high water this stretch provides some of the finest whitewater canoeing in Indiana. The water rapidly slides over the creek's solid rock bottom for a distance of approximately 1/2 mile. Expert kayakers and canoeists are tested by the chutes and standing waves (some as high as 3 feet) during high flow. In addition to the excitement of high-water canoeing on Big Pine Creek, the contrasts in beauty are exciting for any canoeist. The creek cuts through heavily wooded terrain, meandering floodplains, and sandstone ledges which form miniature canyons. The water quality of Big Pine Creek is quite good, and the stream is generally clear, except following a heavy rain. The creek bottom is typical of once-glaciated areas, comprised mainly of gravel, scattered boulders and rock ledges.

The canoeist can observe scattered white pines and red cedars growing out of the sandstone outcroppings. Hardwoods in the Big Pine valley include oak, hickory, maple and cherry, and flowering dogwoods and redbuds decorating the creek's corridor. Ferns, mosses and various wildflowers provide a unique groundcover along much of the creek. Deer, squirrels, raccoons, opossum and other mammals, along with great horned owls, barred owls, screech owls, red-tailed and red shouldered hawks, kingfishers and several other birds may be seen by the river traveler in the Big Pine valley. Nature interpretation is a popular pastime for canoeists on this creek.

Big Pine Creek extends approximately 51 miles from its source in White County to its confluence with the Wabash River at Attica. It is located approximately 20 miles west of Lafayette. The stretch with the most reliable water level for canoeing extends from the Rainsville Bridge to the Wabash River.

From the Rainsville Bridge to the Twin Bridges area is approximately 7 1/2 miles in length and requires about 2 1/2 to 4 hours of canoeing. This area is the most scenic and challenging section of Big Pine Creek with steep banks and sandstone canyons tending to funnel the creek rapidly through the valley.

It is in this area that the Rocky Ford ledge series begins. Just below the ledges the stream divides to bypass an island, then drops sharply as it makes a tight "S" turn. At times of high flow, a hydraulic (a dangerous stretch of upturning water) can form on the right side of the drop. This particular stretch of sharp right angle turns, narrow passageways, rock ledges and hidden boulders should not be taken lightly by canoeist. Inexperienced paddlers should avoid this area during periods of relatively high water. Below the "S" turn the stream continues to move rapidly but is not as difficult for the canoeists.

Big Pine Creek

Rainsville Bridge (Co. Rd. 33) to Twin Bridges (Co. Rd. 33)

The Fall Creek Gorge Nature Preserve, located in the Twin Bridges area, is an interesting natural area along Big Pine Creek. Fall Creek is a tributary of Big Pine Creek and runs through a spectacular gorge area over a series of cascades and potholes. While not appropriate for canoeing, is an interesting area to visit.

The put-in site for this segment is at the Rainsville bridge, where parking is available for several vehicles along Co. Rd. 33. The best access is downstream of the bridge and on the left bank. From the Rainsville bridge proceed south on Co. Rd. 33 through Rainsville and continue to the take-out site at Twin Bridges. Access at Twin Bridges is upstream of the bridge on the left bank. Vehicles should be parked off the road and along the bridge ramps. A parking area adjacent to the Fall Creek Nature Preserve can also be used for parking shuttle vehicles. (The first bridge you will cross on Co. Rd. 33 south of Rainsville is over the Big Pine Creek; Fall Creek is the next stream to the south.)

Twin Bridges (Co. Rd. 33) to Quabache Park (Attica Area)

This section of the Big Pine Creek is approximately 7 miles in length and requires from 2 1/2 to 4 hours to float downstream of the Twin Bridges area, the creek's character changes. The valley forms a broad floodplain with high walls set back a distance from the stream. After the broad floodplain, Big Pine Creek passes through another steep - walled gorge for approximately three miles before it flows into the Wabash River. Canoeists must cross the Wabash River since the take-out point is on the south side of the Wabash at Quabache Park. This park is located about 2/3 of a mile (approximately 15 minutes) downstream of the confluence of the Wabash River and Big Pine Creek, on the left bank.

The put-in is at Twin Bridges, as previously described, and to shuttle vehicles continue south on Co. Rd. 33 until you dead-end into U.S. 41. Turn left (south) and cross the bridge over the Wabash River into Attica. Make the first right onto Market Street (past the VFW Hall), then turn right onto Canal Street, and dog-leg left, then right to the access site on the Wabash River in Quabache Park. Parking and picnicking are available in the park.

Emergency service is located in Lafayette, Williamsport, and Attica.

Stay Connected

You are leaving the IN.gov website. By clicking OK, you will be taken to a website that is not affiliated with the State of Indiana and may have different privacy and security policies. The State of Indiana is not responsible for, and does not endorse, guarantee, or monitor content, availability, viewpoints, products, or services that are offered or expressed on this non IN.gov portal website.