- Spring Mill State Park Alerts (1)
- DONALDSON SHELTER CLOSED: The Donaldson Shelter was removed due to significant damage sustained during a tornado on March 31, 2023.
Description
Spring Mill State Park offers a powerful illustration of the link between the natural and cultural worlds. The water flowing from several cave springs led to the founding of an industrial village in the early 1800s. Pioneer entrepreneurs took advantage of a constant water source that never froze, using it to power several gristmills, a wool mill, a sawmill, and a distillery. In turn, pioneer settlers shaped the landscape around the village, clearing land for agriculture and timber.
The park today continues to illustrate how nature shapes us and how we shape our environment. A parcel of old growth timber sits in contrast to regenerated forest, a man-made lake struggles to survive against the in-flow of silt from cave-fed systems, and the native flora and fauna face challenges from man’s introduction of new species.
Visitors can explore this story in the park’s four interpretive facilities—the Pioneer Village, Lakeview Activity Center, Grissom Memorial, and Twin Caves Boat Tour—and see it reflected on the landscape as they hike the trails. The interpretive staff also offers a wide variety of public programs, including an extensive special events schedule. Public programs are offered year-round.
This property is a stop on the
Attractions
- Pioneer Village and Grist Mill
The restored Pioneer Village, founded in 1814, contains 20 historic buildings to explore. The centerpiece is a 3-story limestone gristmill, built in 1817, that still grinds cornmeal today. Heritage interpreters portray the year 1863 and demonstrate period crafts.Operating Season
- April 15 to third weekend in October: Closed Monday and Tuesday except Monday major holidays.
Operating Hours
April 15 to third weekend in October: Daily 9.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mill opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m.
Village Ordinary
Operating Season
- Memorial Day weekend to third weekend in October: Closed Monday and Tuesday except Monday major holidays.
Operating Hours
- Memorial Day weekend to third weekend in October: Daily 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Grissom Memorial & Park Office
The Grissom Memorial honors Hoosier astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom, one of the seven Mercury astronauts and America's second man in space. The Memorial tells the story of Gus Grissom's life and his contributions to the space program. Exhibits include Grissom's space suit, the Gemini 3 Molly Brown spacecraft, and artifacts from his personal and professional life.Operating Season
- Year-round, closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day
Operating Hours
- 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
- Spring Mill Inn
As featured in Midwest Magazine, beautiful Spring Mill State Park abounds with endless opportunities for recreation. Nature activities, cave tours, hiking, mountain biking, and swimming await you. Visit a restored Pioneer Village that dates back to the early 1800s and the Gus Grissom Memorial Museum honoring this famous and local NASA astronaut.Visit the recently renovated historic 71-room Inn. Filled with warm and cozy features for you to relax in comfort. Enjoy the delicious Millstone Dining Room and service state park style.
- Caves
Selected caves at Spring Mill State Park and Cave River Valley Natural Area are open for limited access for self-guided recreational groups. This program is a partnership with the Indiana Karst Conservancy (IKC). Groups must register in advance through IKC and must complete online training explaining decontamination procedures established to prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome(WNS), a fungus that is killing bats in large numbers.
Donaldson/Bronson Cave will be available for visitation by registered groups year-round. The DNR portion of Upper Twin Cave will be available for registered groups from November 1 – May 15. Endless and River Caves in Cave River Valley Natural Area will be available for registered groups from May 1 – August 31. Twin Caves Boat Tours will continue as usual in the park, and the dry side of Donaldson Cave, which is accessible from Trail 4, will be open to individual visitors.
- Twin Caves Boat Tour
Tours run on the half-hour. Only same-day reservations are accepted, and they must be made in person at the Twin Caves Building. Cost is $3 per person. Children under age 3 and pets are not allowed on the tour. Food and drinks are not allowed on boats. Guides pull the boats through a stream passage while highlighting cave formations and searching for cave animals (the endangered blind cavefish is a common sighting).
Operating Season (confirm operating hours with park prior to visit).
- Memorial Day weekend to Aug. 1
- Aug. 1 to Labor Day
Operating Hours
- Memorial Day weekend to August 1: Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Aug. 1 to Labor Day: Weekends only, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., including Labor Day
- Lakeview Nature Center
The Nature Center overlooks Spring Mill Lake and is filled with exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history. The live animal displays feature native snakes and turtles. A special children’s area includes a puppet stage, floor puzzles, and coloring area. Visitors can also drop by the office of the park interpretive naturalist to ask questions.
Hours
Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day: Open daily, Monday through Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
After Labor Day to May 25: Open Thursday through Monday, noon-5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. May close other times depending on staffing.
- Cave River Valley
Visit this unique off-site property for a primitive experience. With 317 acres and managed the park in partnership with the Division of Fish, Wildlife & Nature Preserves and the Nature Conservancy, this property is 15 miles east of the park. Its most noteworthy feature is its caves. All caves on site require a permit or guided tour to enter. Cave tours are offered through the park’s interpretive naturalist twice a year. Cave River Valley has a rich cultural history as well, with the spring from the river being used for milling in the early 1800s.Visitors can park outside the entrance gate and walk in during open hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Please do not block the gate. There are no marked trails, so look for guided hikes with Spring Mill’s naturalist to help you become familiar with the property. There are no restrooms on site, so please plan accordingly. Address: 6031-6871 N. Cave River Valley Road, Campbellsburg, IN 47108. For more information, please contact Spring Mill’s naturalist at 812-849-3534.
Activities
- Hiking & Biking
Spring Mill State Park offers a motorized wheelchair that can be taken on trails and around facilities.
Trail descriptions
1. MODERATE (.375 mile)—Short loop from inn to foot of hill, along Donaldson branch and lake, and returns up the hill to the inn.
2. MODERATE (.5 mile)—Connects village parking area to picnic area and Nature Center.
3. RUGGED (2.5 miles)—Long loop trail. Enter near the Donaldson parking lot. Passes Donaldson Cave overlook, then through dense woods, past sinkholes, then Bronson Cave, on to Twin Caves, through virgin timber of Donaldson Woods Nature Preserve. Returns to Donaldson picnic area.
4. RUGGED (2 miles)—Loop trail may be entered from Trail 4 at picnic area or junction of 1 and 4 near inn. Goes by Donaldson Cave and Hamer Cemetery to village.
5. MODERATE (1 mile)—Loops around lake. Follows lower section of lake from bridge, then around to boat docks, near Trail 2, which leads to the picnic area and parking area.
6. ACCESSIBLE (.25 mile)—Paved trail. Loops around Virgil I. Grissom Memorial. Details about this and other accessible trails.
7. EASY (1.75 miles)—Loops through and around Oak Ridge picnic area. Ties into Trail 4 between Hamer Cemetery and village.
Stagecoach Trail (.5 mile)—Rugged. Follows old roadbed from village, up hill, to Oak Ridge picnic area and playground.
A two-mile mountain bike trail is now available for use. The trailhead is located near the campstore. Bicycles permitted only on paved roadways. Skateboarding and inline skating prohibited.
PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS.
- Camping
- Electric - 178 sites
- Full Hookup - 45 sites
- Youth Tent Areas
- Dumping station
- Camp store:
- April 15 to May 15
- Days may vary, generally open five days a week, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. .
- May 16 to Nov. 2
- Sunday through Wednesday, Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m
- Thursday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sometimes closed one day per week depending on staffing.
- Nov. 2 – April 14: Closed.
- April 15 to May 15
- Other
- Schools and Groups Programming
- Shelters & Picnic Areas (Shelter Reservations)
- Swimming Pool (Policy) (associated concession same hours).
- Season: May 25, 26, 27, June 2 to July 30, Aug. 1 to Sept. 5.
- Hours:
- May 25, 26, 27, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- June 2 to July 30: Daily, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Aug. 1 to Sept. 5: Weekends only. Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Open Labor Day 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Nature Preserves
Information
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