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 saw mill, 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 virgin 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.

Check out the latest fall colors with the leaf camera situated on top of the Pioneer Village's grist mill. View.

Visitors can explore this story in the park’s four interpretive facilities—the Pioneer Village, Nature 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. Click here for program schedules.

Please Note: Donaldson Cave Closed until further notice; Twin Cave Tours Remain Open

All caves and sinkholes on DNR properties except Twin Caves at Spring Mill are closed to provide protection from White-nosed syndrome, a fungus that is killing bats in large numbers in the Northeastern U.S. and is now spreading west. To learn more about WNS, visit www.dnr.IN.gov/batdisease. Thank you for cooperating with DNR in this effort.

Note: Privately-owned show caves such as Marengo Cave, Blue Springs Cavern and Squire Boone Cavern, remain open to the public for tours. These privately owned caves, which operate guided tours only, are taking precautions prior to and during tours to manage the potential for WNS spread.

Pioneer Village
Open Daily from May thru mid-October, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Additional days and times as posted.

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.

Nature Center
Open Daily from March thru October, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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 six native snakes and an eastern box turtle. A special children’s area includes a puppet stage, floor puzzles, and coloring area. Visitors can also drop by the office of the park naturalist to ask questions.

Nature Nook
Open Daily from mid-November thru February, Staffed Hours Vary

During the winter months, a portion of the Game Room at the Spring Mill Inn is transformed into the Nature Nook. The Nook features a drop-in craft table, natural history hand-outs, and rotating activities. The winter office for the park naturalist is located off the hallway next to the Nook.

Grissom Memorial
Open Daily Year-Round, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
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, one of the space capsules he flew in, and many artifacts from his personal and professional life.

Twin Caves Boat Tour
Open Daily from Memorial Day Weekend thru mid-August, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Open Weekends from mid-August thru mid-October, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tours run on the half-hour. Only same-day reservations are accepted and they must be made in-person at the Twin Caves shack. Cost is $1/person for ages 3-10 or $3/person for ages 11 and up; no credit cards. Children under age 3 are not allowed on the tour.

The underground world of the park is opened up to visitors on this unique cave tour. Guides pull the boats thru a stream passage while highlighting cave formations and searching for cave animals (the endangered blind cavefish is a common sighting).

ACTIVITIES

• Pioneer Village
• Grissom Memorial
• Nature Center/Interpretive Naturalist Services
• Nature Nook
• Twin Caves Boat Tour
• Schools and Groups
• Hiking & Biking
• Lodging & Dining
• Shelters & Picnic Areas - (Shelter Reservations)
• Public Swimming Pool (Policy)
• Campstore / Hayrides / Bike Rental
• Cave River Valley Natural Area Management Plan
• Nature Preserves
• Donaldson, Bronson, and Hamer Caves
  

Camping - See campground maps under MAPS tab

• Electric / 187 sites
• Primitive / 36 sites
• Youth Tent Areas
• Camp Store
• Dumping Station

INFORMATION

• Spring Mill Inn
• Inn Reservations
• Campground Reservations
• Local Map
• Local tourism info
• Regional tourism info

DESCRIPTION OF HIKING TRAILS

Note: For trail locations, view the property map under the MAPS tab.

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.

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. Mountain bikes can be rented at the bike rental. Bicycles permitted only on paved roadways. Skateboarding and inline skating prohibited.

PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS.

MAPS

• Property Map
• Electric & primitive
• Youth tent

GALLERY

You are leaving the IN.gov website. By clicking OK, you will be taken to a website that is not affiliated with the State of Indiana and may have different privacy and security policies. The State of Indiana is not responsible for, and does not endorse, guarantee, or monitor content, availability, viewpoints, products, or services that are offered or expressed on this non IN.gov portal website.