Tag Archive: state park

Turkey Run State Park – Marshall – Indiana

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A view of Trail 3 in Turkey Run State Park, near Marshall, Indiana. Trail 3 is quite unique as you follow a deeply carved sandstone gorge, surrounded by deep green forest, moss, and vegetation. Throw in a creek running through it all, ladders, and plenty of people and its almost like an obstacle course at a water park. Reminds me a little of the Narrows in Zion Canyon National Park, but over a much shorter distance, and with a lot more climbing, and quicker twists and turns.

Historic Story Inn – Brown County – Indiana

Historic Story Inn - Brown County - Indiana

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The Story Inn has a long history dating back to 1882. It lies at the center of the town of Story, Indiana, which was founded by farmers trying to make a living from the marginal soils of the hilly area that is Brown County, Indiana. The town and the inn went through various phases of growth and decline, and the surrounding countryside saw much of its original farming population leave and the land they left behind turned into Indiana’s largest state park.

Donaldson Cave (Shawnee Cave) – Spring Mill State Park – Indiana

Donaldson Cave (Shawnee Cave) – Spring Mill State Park – Indiana

Donaldson Cave (Shawnee Cave) - Spring Mill State Park - Indiana

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The cave is part of a system of tunnels that extend more than 8000 feet within Spring Mill State Park. Other caves in the system include Bronson Cave and Twin Caves. The latter is large enough to accommodate a boat operated by park personnel, that explores the parks underlying karst (limestone) landscape.

Southern Indiana, and Kentucky are well known for their karst-related features. Signs for a variety of cave tours can be seen along the major highway systems. These include Marengo Cave, Squire Boone Caverns, Bluespring Caverns, and of course the world famous Mammoth Cave National Park outside of Brownsville, KY.

Indiana Geological & Water Survey – Karst Features in Indiana
Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Spring Mill State Park
National Park Service – Mammoth Cave National Park