Fairbanks Park
Rate this placeNearby: Dresser Memorial Park Voorhees Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Fairbanks Park is a beautiful and popular park located in Terre Haute, Indiana.
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Summary
There are many reasons to visit, including its picturesque location along the Wabash River, its numerous recreational activities, and its historical significance.
The park boasts many points of interest, including a beautiful riverfront promenade, a large playground area, several picnic areas, and a boat launch. It is also home to the Terre Haute Children's Museum and the Clabber Girl Museum and Bake Shop, both of which offer unique learning experiences for visitors.
In addition to its recreational and cultural offerings, Fairbanks Park also has historical significance. It was named after Charles Warren Fairbanks, a former Vice President of the United States who lived in Terre Haute. It was also the site of a Civil War encampment and played a role in the Underground Railroad.
The best time of year to visit Fairbanks Park depends on what activities you are interested in. The park is open year-round, but the summer months are the most popular for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. The fall is a great time to visit for the beautiful foliage, while winter offers opportunities for sledding and ice skating (weather permitting).
Overall, Fairbanks Park is a must-visit destination for anyone in the Terre Haute area. With its stunning location, diverse recreational activities, and historical significance, it has something for everyone to enjoy.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Camp Wildwood
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Hawthorne County Park
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Fowler County Park
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Dresser Memorial Park
Voorhees Park
Boys and Girls Club Memorial Park