With scenic vistas of the Fourteen Mile Creek valley and the Ohio River and elevation changes of over 200 feet, Charlestown has so much to offer its visitors. Lobby Open 8:00am to 5:15pm During spring, there is an abundance of wildflowers. This trail is estimated to be 4.3 km long. With scenic vistas of the Fourteenmile Creek valley and the Ohio River, with elevation changes of over 200 feet, Charlestown has much to offer the visitor with its rugged hills and deep ravines. Rose island was neat. That just made it easier for me to enjoy the scenery of the river and the mossy rocks. Overall a easy trail with the exception of the hill coming back out. Anderson Falls Nature Preserve in Bartholomew County is a 44-acre county park through which flows a half-mile stretch of the Fall Fork of Clifty Creek. Destination will be on the right. P.O. Accessibility I think there are. Charlestown State Park is an Indiana state park 2) in Clark County, Indiana, in the United States. How long the state parks remain open is anyones guess. It seems we cant find what youre looking for. Charlestown State Park was established in 1995. Very, very little is left, some areas had signs of what stood there at one time and other standing structures weren't labeled at all. Trail is paved for 50%. All-in-all, a nice short hike to kill an hour or so. Lovely spring stroll. Spring Mill State Park near Mitchell was an industrial village in the early 1800s. Charlestown, Maryland 21914, Phone: (410) 287-6173 Situated high above the Ohio River near Madison, Clifty Falls State Park provides breathtaking views, not just of the river but also of the . This review is based on the Rose Island Hike, not the overall park. Our mission: To actively support the continued development and natural, cultural and historic preservation of Charlestown State Park as. With over 5100 acres it is Indianas 3rd largest state park providing plenty of room for making memories naturally. Its a lollipop trail so you can hike forwards or backwards. I'm sorry, I have never been there in winter. What hotels are near Charlestown State Park? How long is the water left on at the camp sites in the fall? Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. State park permits can also be ordered online by visiting the, * Full Hookup / 60 sites * Electric / 132 sites * Campground Reservations, Charlestown State Park is located near Charlestown, Clarksville and Crestwood. Rivers and lakes beckon, and so do the dramatic waterfalls that punctuate them. Non-campers can enjoy this trail by parking in the overflow lot and hiking the .3-mile leg to the main loop. Geologists know this park for the fossils of Silurian Age animals captured in the Waldron Shale layer here, and where the Louisville limestone area overlaps that layer is where youll find the 14-feet-high waterfall that gives the site its name. RUGGED (2.3 miles) -This scenic trail starts across the road from the Riverside Overlook and runs along the top of the river bluff. Do NOT gather limbs, brush or trees (either dead or alive) for firewood because they rebuild the natural humus. A little mud in a couple places but mostly great. There were still plenty of mud on our shoes when we finished the hike. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? It was nice. Take exit 10 from IN-265 E to access IN-62 E. Address: 1 Burlingame State Park Road, Charlestown, RI 02813. Great views, lots of terrain changes huge rocks and karst topography. Great hike. Dogs are capable of doing this hike with ease (small - large). Also here are volleyball courts, a swimming pool and a playground as well as lots of tables for lunch while you watch the activity around you. Bluebells and wood poppies are especially pretty. With over 5100 acres it is Indiana's 3rd largest state park providing plenty of room for making memories naturally. You must be signed in to save park lists. Lots of direct sun. Explore Charlestown State Park - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. The bridge provided access to Rose Island, a 1920s amusement park. Open daily from Memorial Day Weekend through mid-July, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional days and times as posted at park. What days are Charlestown State Park open? A call to the park office would provide the best answer. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Wildlife, songbirds, and birds of prey may be seen along this trail. 4. Kennedy Court Park [60] The Whole Family Will Love These 6 Lakeside Campgrounds In Rhode Island. Cost is $3 per person. There is a wooden platform built, overlooking the creek and a small waterfall, if water levels permit. Charlestown, Maryland 21914. A bridge crosses a natural waterfall and descends to the old Charlestown . 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Directions, Office Hours: 1. It seemed a little pricey but I think the price of camping is just more than it use to be. You'll see old fountains, huge stone entryways, the remnants of the swimming hole (filled in), and have great views of devils backbone. On the peninsula the creek forms where it meets the Ohio River stands an isolated bedrock ridge called the Devil's Backbone. Some areas have been slippery if the ground was thawed. The Backbone is restricted, however park staff offer limited tours in the winter. Trail goes down into a gully and then back up. Charlestown State Park Length: 2.2 mi Est. It was muddy in some parts but not too bad! and by 11am on Sat. It levels out some as you walk away from the river and then theres one last push of an incline to that flat access road. Rock outcroppings, scenic Fourteenmile Creek, and high quality woodlands make this an important addition to the state park system. There are 7 trails in Charlestown State Park. Yearly passes are available for $25.00 for boats registered in Maryland, and $75.00 for boats registered out-of-state. Getting ready to peak soon. Lots of historical markers of the area which makes it educational and interesting. The site boasted a small zoo, pony rides, merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, roller coaster, shooting gallery, cafeteria, swimming pool, and more. 5K Course (3.1 miles) - Easy The course is designed as a 5 kilometer loop that continuously leaves the central area through 8 feet wide mowed trails. Hiking trails are really diverse and scenic. The course is marked with posts at all 5 kilometers and at each mile. Address: Nine Penny Branch State Nature Preserve, 3019 Tunnel Mill Rd #3143, Charlestown, IN 47111, USA OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Charlestown State Park is filled with trails surrounded by astoundingly beautiful trees and flora, but hidden within this . Stone fortification and mounds at the Devil's Backbone rock formation Devil's Backbone is a rock formation and peninsula formed by the flow of Fourteen Mile Creek into the Ohio River, and is currently situated in Charlestown State Park near Charlestown, Indiana and across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. A part of Mill Creek, which feeds the 1,400-acre Cagles Mill Lake in the Cataract Falls State Recreation Area near Cloverdale, they were formed because of pre-glacial bedrock ridges buried beneath ancient lake sediments. The Remnants Of This Abandoned Neighborhood Near Lousville Are Hauntingly Beautiful. I think the research that I did prior to our visit "hyped" up the abandoned amusement park too much which led to disappointment. Indiana DNR's official Web page for Charlestown State Park. We also checked out Rose Island that was really neat if youre interested in local history. Charlestown State Park in Charlestown is rated 8.5 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. Quick easy hike, a LOT of trip hazards so watch your step. It's a great trail with lots of history but the hill coming back to parking lot is killer. Utility Billing (410) 287-6173 x4, Cecil County Animal Control (410) 441-2040 Perhaps searching, or one of the links below, can help. Once a largely undeveloped portion of the huge (15,000-acre) Indiana Army Ammunition plant, Charlestown State Park is located in southern Indiana. The park was scheduled for $3 million in improvements, which were delayed in January 2006 when workers building a new boat ramp found a Native American cooking area dating back to 2,000 B.C. Nine Penny Branch State Nature Preserve, 3019 Tunnel Mill Rd #3143, Charlestown, IN 47111, USA We'll end this epic Indiana waterfalls road trip at a stunningly beautiful state park, where there's plenty more than just the waterfalls around to keep you occupied. Clifty Falls State Park. Trail 2 features some nice creek cascades and small waterfalls. Over 14 miles of hiking trails are available for use, with many great views of the Ohio River, Fourteen Mile Creek and more. Bird watchers will enjoy the 72 species of birds, including bluebirds, black vultures and an occasional Bald Eagle. Once a largely undeveloped portion of the Indiana Army Ammunition plant, Charlestown State Park is located in Clark County along the Ohio River in southern Indiana. M-Th 7:30am to 5:00pm And their personalities change, depending on the time of your visit. Bird watchers will enjoy the 72 species of birds, including bluebirds, black vultures and an occasional bald eagle. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Its a good place for bird-watching, too. A short walk in that direction will take you to a magnificent waterfall and the flume that carried water to keep the mill running. Where is the best place to hike in Charlestown State Park? Free public parking of boat trailers is only allowed in Parking Lot B, located in Avalon Park at the end of Water Street. Charlestown State Park is located in southern Indiana with easy access from I-65, 8 miles to the east on state road 62. I hit trails 1, 3&7 looped and 6. Charlestown State Park is located in southern Indiana with easy access from I-65, 8 miles to the east on state road 62. Trail 2 features some nice creek cascades and small waterfalls. endstream endobj 75 0 obj [/Separation/PANTONE#20462#20U/DeviceCMYK<>] endobj 76 0 obj [/Separation/PANTONE#202925#20U/DeviceCMYK<>] endobj 77 0 obj <> endobj 78 0 obj <>stream Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Charlestown State Park. Definitely a Moderately challenging trail. Settlers came here because of cave springs that provided a constant source of water to operate a sawmill, a wool mill and a distillery with a gristmill at the center of it all. I came because I'd seen articles about Rose Island, and the abandoned amusement park. A busy trail as the weather is nice. 8. Old Louisville Ghost Tour as Recommended by The New York Times @ 4th and Ormsby, Experience Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Tour & Museum: Group limit 15, Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! In September 2011, the historic Portersville Bridge was relocated and reconstructed to cross the creek and connect Rose Island for the first time. Loved the hills for a good workout. such a cool little piece of history! Continue to follow IN-62 E/Ohio River Scenic Byway for roughly 8 miles. Be mindful of the significant grade of the hill required to reach and depart the island. Spring wildflowers along portions of this trail will treat the hiker to stunning displays. View full map. Birdwatchers love this park for the 72 species of birds in this park. As other reviewers have noted there are nice views of the creek, Ohio River and Rose Islandso enjoy that scenery on the South side of the trail after leaving the pavement right before the bridge. Lots of interesting scenery to stop and look at and much of the trail you can see the water down below. Not far away near Spencer is McCormicks Creek State Park, the first in the state. Copyright (c) 2023 Town of Charlestown, Maryland. The trail begins with a very steep road grade that once led to a footbridge over Fourteenmile Creek. Charlestown State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Winding back up the hillside, the trail ends where it started, so its a short walk back to your campsite. Keep dogs away from them. The park offers rich habitat for both plants and animals. Page content has changed. Trail is very open and clear. Window Hours: Despite its name, the park was not truly an island but a peninsula that visitors could only reach by steamer, bridge or ferry. East hike. The park is easily accessible; located 8 miles east of I-65, on State Road 62. O'Bannon Woods State Park. Rose Island was an amusement park in the 1920s. This trail gives a really big "Rust Belt" feeling. 44. For Sale . Stayed one night on a Saturday in June. In order to get to the theme park you have to walk down a very very steep path. @ 4th and Ormsby, Bourbon Tour (03) : Buffalo Trace, Woodford, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Other, Kentucky Derby Museum General Admission Ticket, Melancholy and Mourning Adults Only Haunted Walking Tour, Louisville Food and History Walking Tour of NuLu, Makers Mark OR Buffalo Trace OR Four Roses OR Woodford Reserve or Others, Buffalo Trace,Four Roses,Woodford,Bulleit Frontier/Stitzel, Castle&Key or Jeptha. Girlfriends Getaway in LaGrange Co/Shipshewana, Celebrate the Holidays at Fair Oaks Farms, Fun for everyone at the Mascot Hall of Fame, Shipshewana/LaGrange County Staycation Itinerary, Anderson/Madison County Staycation Itinerary, Turkey Run Awarded with Midwests Best Hike, Spend Spring Break at an Indiana State Park Inn, Indianas Longest Trail Celebrates 30 Years. Burlingame State Park, 1 Burlingame State Park Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA. Rugged (2.9 miles) - Trail 4 begins at same parking lot as Trail 3. We stayed at the campground for 4 days during the week (Tuesday-Friday). Trail 4 is a good fast-paced trail and takes you down along Thousand Mile Creek and then up along the ridge line. While hiking the rugged terrain you will see Devonian fossil outcrops and areas of karst sinkhole topography. Campground available along with picnic areas and boat launch to Ohio river. )o'@xH^`pqvX Email: Staff@CharlestownMD.org Copyright 2023 State of Indiana - All rights reserved. Note: For trail locations, view the property map under the MAPS tab. A little muddy in places but great trail. Very large park and close to several southern Indiana cities and Louisville, KY. Charlestown Trail #3 boasts the most elevation gain with 113 m of total ascent. Obviously it's muddy and there is a lot of water from the rain but it's still beautiful. On the north side of the creek in Turkey Run is Rocky Hollow Falls Canyon Nature Preserve, and in Shades lies the Pine Hills Nature Preserve. The trail was designated as rugged, but as still a novice/inexperienced hiker, it was not too bad. The The Ohio river is a few miles away by car. It was once part of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant (INAAP), and was donated in separate parcels to the Indiana state government. Great winter hike. Charlestown State Park has a 192 site campground, including "Full Hook up" campsites. You follow that for a while til you reach the river and thats where you start your incline. What attractions are near Charlestown State Park? Explore one of 2 easy hiking trails in Charlestown State Park that are great for the whole family. Lodging and camp sites are nearby. Well marked path with water features along the way. 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