Eagle Creek Park Beach in Indianapolis is finally open for the 2026 season, giving families a place to swim, sunbathe, hike the trails or get out on the water by kayak, canoe or paddleboard. The park covers enough ground to fill an afternoon between the beach and the trails.
As the largest park in Indianapolis, Eagle Creek gives families a place to cool off in the reservoir without leaving the city. Swimming is allowed only during posted hours, when a lifeguard is on duty, and the marked swimming area runs 200 feet along the shore and 50 feet out into the water.
Related Article: Top 9 Beaches Near Indianapolis for Summer Fun (2026)
Eagle Creek Park Beach hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., closing at 5 p.m. on concert days
- Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., closing at 5 p.m. on concert days
- Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: noon to 6 p.m.
Special schedule notes: The beach is closed Saturday, June 20, for a rowing regatta. It opens late Saturday, July 18, for the Sprint Triathlon and runs from noon to 6 p.m. that day. Hours are weather dependent and subject to change, so follow Eagle Creek Park on Facebook for the latest.
How much is admission to Eagle Creek Park Beach?
Entry to the swim area is free with park admission. You can bring coolers and picnics to the beach, but alcohol and glass containers are not allowed.
Gate fees are:
- Marion County vehicle: $6
- Non-Marion County vehicle: $8
- Pedestrian or bicycle: $1
An Indy Parks annual pass runs $50 for Marion County residents and $60 for out-of-county residents; prices drop 50% after Labor Day. See all park and admission fees on the park’s site.
Eagle Creek watersports
Eagle Creek Park has plenty of ways to get out on the reservoir. Families can rent canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats, rowboats, paddleboats and paddleboards through Eagle Creek Outfitters at the Marina, or bring their own small watercraft and launch within park rules.
The Marina at Eagle Creek Park
The Marina sits on a peninsula along the eastern shore of the reservoir, making it one of the easiest places in the park to reach the water, launch a kayak or settle in for a picnic with a view. On warm weekends, families may see kayakers, paddleboarders, anglers and bird watchers using the area.
Visitors can bring their own kayak, paddleboard or canoe and launch from one of two public areas near the Marina. Everyone on the water must wear a properly fitting personal flotation device. There is a $3 fee for each outside watercraft, and Indy Parks sells annual watercraft passes at the gatehouse or Park Office.
Eagle Creek Outfitters also rents gear from the Marina, with seasonal rentals usually running April through September. Hours and exact season dates can change, and the last rental goes out an hour before closing, so check the Marina page before you head over.
Marina location: 7602 Walnut Point Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254
Eagle Creek Outfitters: 317.207.1724 or [email protected]
For rowing, the Indianapolis Rowing Center runs classes and programs for all experience levels, from adult and collegiate rowers to youth ages 13 to 18. The boathouse is open March to November, and classes typically run April through October.
You can also bring your own boat to the reservoir, within a few rules. Personal boats are capped at 10 horsepower and 26 feet. Launching from the car-top launch costs $3 on top of park admission. Small canoes and kayaks can put in at the old boat ramp behind the Earth Discovery Center parking lot, though cars aren’t allowed back there and boats have to be carried down.
Eagle Creek summer concert series
Through the summer, Eagle Creek Park hosts free outdoor concerts at the swimming beach, including the “In Concert with Nature” and “Jazz at the Beach” series. The shows are free, though regular park admission still applies. Bring a blanket or chairs and pack your own food and drinks. Shade is limited, so an umbrella helps. Some people take it in from the water, listening from kayaks and paddleboards on the reservoir. On Tuesday and Wednesday concert days, the swimming beach closes at 5 p.m.
For more outdoor music, see our summer concert series guide.
