Friday, July 26, 2013

Lincoln State Park

 


Lincoln State Park is located on Indiana 162, Lincoln City, Indiana 47552.

The park covers 1747 acres and is the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln.  A public plaza recognizing his 200th birthday was opened in 2009.

The park was established in 1932 to protect the land used by the Lincoln family during their years in Indiana.



While trailing the park you will see the Gordon Mill site, where Abraham Lincoln was kicked unconscious by his horse; the Sara Lincoln Grigsby Gravesite (sister of Abe Lincoln); the James Gentry Home Site and the Pigeon Primitive Baptist Church.

The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is just north of the park.  Lincoln lived here from age 7 to 21.

Trails at the Lincoln State Park range from 1.5 miles to 3.7 miles, and are easy to moderate.

Onsite:
  • camping
  • cabins
  • boating
  • fishing
  • hiking
Nearby:

What's FREE to See!
Check out Spencer County, Indiana's Calendar of Events to find what's free to see during your visit!

Indiana State Parks



Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Indiana Dunes State Park

The Indiana Dunes State Park is located at 1600 N CR-25 East, Chesterton, IN 46304.

The park consists of 3 miles of beachfront on Lake Michigan and 2,182 acres of unique landscape.

The park includes sand dunes, some of which rise more than 200 feet above the level of the lake.  These dunes have taken thousands of years to form.



The park has free admission from Labor Day until Memorial Day.  The entrance fee to most Indiana state parks is $5.00 for in-state and $7.00 for out of state vehicles from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The beach closes for swimming on Labor Day weekend, and some weekdays prior.

Trails in the park range from 3/4 of a mile to 5-1/2 miles in length.

Onsite:
  • Swimming
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Cross country skiing
  • Birdwatching
Nearby:

What's Free to See:

Check out Chesterton, Indiana's Calendar of Events, to find what's free to see during your visit!

Indiana State Parks

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Harmonie State Park

Harmonie State Park is located at 3451 Harmonie State Park Road, New Harmony, IN 47631.  The park is on the banks of the Wabash River.

A Nature Center with Interpretive Naturalist Services is on site. 

Hiking trails range from moderate to easy in skill and from .25 to 1.5 miles in length.

Biking trails have been added within the last few years.  Call the park for more trail information:  812-682-4821.

Onsite: 
  • camping
  • cabins
  • boating
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • biking
  • horse trails
  • swimming pool
  • birdwatching

Nearby:

What's FREE to See!

Indiana State Parks


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Clifty Falls State Park

I finally made it to Clifty Falls State Park.  It is known as "One of the best hikers' parks in Indiana."

The park is located at: 1501 Green Road, Madison, Indiana 47250.  Park entrances can be found on State Roads 56 and 62.




The park has 13 miles of rugged trails.  And they're not joking when they say "rugged", when describing the trails. Be warned.


Big Clifty Falls - the point where Clifty Creek drops more than 70 feet to Clifty Canyon, then drops another 250 feet in the last three miles into the Ohio River.  There are cliffs all along the creek, with four major waterfalls.

There are two railroad tunnels, known as "Brough's Folly".  Railroad construction began in 1852, but was never completed due to financial struggles.  The tunnels may be closed seasonally, to protect the wildlife (bats) that live in the tunnels.

The park encompasses 1512 acres of land.

Onsite:
  • camping
  • Inn
  • hiking
  • shelters
  • pool

Nearby:
What's FREE to See!


Check out InMadisonIN.com's Calendar of Events to find what's free to see during your visit!

Indiana State Parks

Falls of the Ohio State Park

The Falls of the Ohio State Park is one of the most unique state parks, in which I have ever been!

The Park is located at the end of West Riverside Drive, in Clarksville, Indiana.  Take Exit 0 off I-65.

There is no waterfall, as one might suspect, by the name.  Instead rapids that drop 26 feet over 2-1/2 miles of the Ohio River.



The Devonian-age fossil beds are the largest of their kind, in the world.  The fossil beds are the main attraction of the park, with over 900 species of fossils.  The majority of which have never been found anywhere else in the world.

Tips:
  • If you are just visiting the park, and not the interpretive center, there is no fee to walk into the park.  Use an Indiana State Park Pass for free parking (and admission) or park down the street and walk into the park.
  • Pick up free driftwood in the park, as long as it is small enough for you to carry by hand.
  • Check out the 'Fossil Festival collecting piles' for free fossils, (but be sure not to take any other rocks out of the park.)

Onsite:
  • Clark Homesite
  • Boating
  • Fishing

Nearby:

What's FREE to See!

Visit the local Chamber of Commerce for more information and a Calendar of Events!

Indiana State Parks