Pine Lake Water Park: A Summer Day Trip From Indianapolis

Looking for a summer day trip from Indianapolis that feels more like an old-school lake day than a polished resort pool? Pine Lake Water Park in Berne, Ind., is about two hours north of Indianapolis and has been family-run since 1922. The park mixes a sandy beach, lake swimming and water park attractions, which is a pretty useful combination when your kids want “the beach” and you do not want to drive to Lake Michigan.

Pine Lake Water Park opens May 23 for the 2026 summer season.

Plan Your Visit: Pine Lake Water Park Quick Info

• Location: 4640 W State Road 218, Berne, IN 46711
• Dates/Hours: Open May 23, 2026 through Labor Day. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Pine Lake is open weekends only during the final two weeks of August.
• Price: Ages 10 and up, $12; ages 4 to 9, $10; ages 3 and younger, free. Tickets may be purchased on-site. Online booking is not required.

Attractions at Pine Lake Water Park

Pine Lake Water Park has a lineup you will not find at most water parks near Indianapolis. Along with the sandy lakefront, the park includes the Black Hole, Jump Tower, Cable Ride, Log Walk, Bobbers, Racer Slide, Curly Slide, Splash Pad, Kiddie Slides, Duck Boat and Drop Slide.

The Jump Tower is one of Pine Lake’s better-known attractions, with 10-foot, 20-foot and 30-foot platforms for strong swimmers. The 30-foot platform opens once a day and is typically available from 3 to 4 p.m.

The Cable Ride, also called the zipline, runs from a 10-foot platform over the lake. Other deep-water attractions include the drop slide and areas past the swimming rope, which are limited to guests with swimmer wristbands.

Find the full attraction list on the Pine Lake website.

Tips for Your Pine Lake Day Trip

Planning a visit to this Indiana water park? Here’s what to know before loading the car, the towels and the snacks you will absolutely forget until you are already halfway there.

• Grilling: Guests may bring grills and use picnic tables in the parking lot. Pine Lake does not provide grills. Grills, coolers and picnic supplies are not allowed inside the park, but wristbands allow guests to leave and re-enter. Picnic tables are first-come, first-served.
• Life jackets: Pine Lake has a limited number of life jackets available. They are free to use with a refundable $5 deposit.

• Wristbands and swimming ability: Guests receive either a swimmer or non-swimmer wristband when they enter the park. Swimmer wristbands are for guests who can swim independently in water of any depth. Non-swimmers must stay with a partner, and children with non-swimmer wristbands must be with an adult.
• Deep-water attractions: Non-swimmers are not allowed on the 10-foot, 20-foot or 30-foot jumps, Cable Ride, red slide or past the rope in deep water. Life jackets and flotation devices are not allowed on deep-water attractions.
• Coolers: Coolers must stay in the parking lot, including coolers with only water. Guests may leave and re-enter with their wristbands.

• Alcohol: Alcohol is not permitted anywhere on Pine Lake Water Park grounds, including the parking lots.
• Pets: Pets are not allowed inside or outside the park, except service animals as defined by ADA guidelines. Service animals are not permitted in the water for public health reasons.
• Weather: Swimming is not allowed when lightning is in the area. Swimmers may re-enter the water 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder. Pine Lake does not offer rain checks or refunds for inclement weather.
• Lake environment: Pine Lake has typical lake life, including fish.
• Floats and rafts: Floats and rafts are allowed but must stay inside the roped-off swimming area.

Pine Lake Water Park works well for families who want a beach day with more to do than sit on a towel and negotiate over snacks. It is a longer drive from Indianapolis, but for kids who love slides, lake swimming and jumping platforms, it can fill a full summer day.