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McCormick's Creek State Park

  • McCormick's Creek State Park Alerts (3)
    • PARK RE-OPENS, PARTIALLY: McCormick’s Creek State Park was severely damaged by a tornado on Friday, March 31. The park is now open for limited use, and the nature center, saddle barn and Canyon Inn are open and operating. Public programming has resumed. Many park trails remain closed.
    • CAMPGROUND CLOSED: Due to extensive storm damage, the campground remains closed indefinitely. Read about recovery efforts.
    • VOLUNTEERING: If you'd like to help at McCormick's Creek State Park, please complete this form. We are still assessing damage. When it is safe, we will be in touch with opportunities to help.

250 McCormick's Creek Park Road
Spencer, IN 47460

Link to this page
on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp

Admission

  • Noncommercial vehicles with Indiana license plates: $7
  • Noncommercial vehicles with out-of-state license plates: $9

Time zone
Eastern

Hours
Property: Daily, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Canyon Inn: 24/7


Description

Explore the spectacular limestone canyon, flowing creek, and scenic waterfalls that highlight Indiana’s first state park. Hike trails featuring diverse forest trees, spicebush, and native wildflowers, including a trail through Wolf Cave Nature Preserve and an accessible trail at the recently renovated nature center. Experience history as you climb the fire tower, use shelter houses or cross the stone arch bridge created by the Civilian Conservation Corps, or examine the historic Statehouse Quarry near White River, which furnished limestone used for the Indianapolis Statehouse. Relax in the lobby of Canyon Inn, open to all park visitors, or watch birds from the dining room porch. Catch cultural events such as concerts in the park amphitheater or attend the several special events hosted annually at the park. McCormick’s Creek State Park offers active enjoyment through all seasons of the year.

During the summer, pool hours may change because of weather and staffing. Please contact the property office for exact times before your visit.

This property is a stop on the
Indiana Birding Trail Logo

  • March 31, 2023 Storm Updates

    Many park trails remain closed, and the campground is closed indefinitely as cleanup continues. Read about the park's recovery plan.

    Park guests are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from walking or driving into areas where barricades and/or “closed” signs are in place. These barriers and signs are in place for your safety.

    Current trail status:

    • Trail 1 (McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve): Trail 1 is open.
    • Trail 2 (Statehouse Quarry): Trail 2 received significant damage and is currently closed. Please do not go past the closure signs.
    • Trail 3 (McCormick’s Creek Waterfall): Trail 3 is accessible to view the waterfall, but the wooden trail structure is damaged. Please do not go past the closure signs.
    • Trail 4 (Fire Tower): Trail 4 to the fire tower is open. The fire tower, not damaged in the storm, is open.
    • Trail 5 (Wolf Cave Nature Preserve): Trail 5 received significant damage and is currently closed. Please do not go past the closure signs.
    • Trail 6 in the campground is closed.
    • Trail 7 and 10 (Canyon Rim, Creek and McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve): These trails received significant damage to trail structures. Please do not go past the closure signs.
    • Trail 8 (Accessible Trail): A portion of this trail from the pool/nature center area is open, but it is closed beyond Pine Bluff Shelter where it leads to the campground and to Trail 5 and Wolf Cave.
    • Trail 9 (Deer Run/Peden Farmstead): Trail 9 is open.
  • Activities

    Camping
    Select link for map. Campgrounds are closed until Oct. 1.

    Lodging

    Cabins
    Make a reservation.

    More information

  • Trails

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

    1. MODERATE (0.5 miles)—Trail 1 is a loop trail that begins between family cabins 6 and 14, loops through large native timber in McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve and ends at the entrance to the Family Cabin Area.

    2. MODERATE (1.0 mile)—Trail 2 begins behind the CCC Recreation Hall, ventures into McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve and ends between family cabins 11 and 12. Trail 2 also offers access to the Quarry Loop Trail for observation of the Old State House Quarry.

    3. RUGGED (0.8 mile)—Trail 3 is a loop trail that begins across from Canyon Inn and offers access to the falls and canyon before ending at Stoney restroom. There are no bridges crossing the creek. Fluctuating creek levels may make areas of the trail seasonably inaccessible.

    4. MODERATE (1.4 miles)—Trail 4 begins behind the Canyon Inn pool and travels toward the Recreation Field, McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve and the CCC fire tower. Trail 4 ends on the road near Canyon Inn.

    5. MODERATE (2.0 miles)—Trail 5 is a loop trail that begins at the Wolf Cave Parking Area, enters Wolf Cave Nature Preserve, loops through a Beech Maple forest, crosses Litten Branch, and offers access to Wolf Cave before ending near the Wolf Cave parking lot.

    6. EASY (0.6 mile)—Trail 6 begins beside Beech Grove Shelter, travels through dense forest and ends in the Class A campground between campsites 19 and 20.

    7. MODERATE (1.8 miles)—Trail 7 is a loop trail that begins across from the Wolf Cave parking lot, and travels along the canyon rim before descending toward the White River. Along the way hikers encounter a boardwalk. Fishing is permitted on the river.

    8. ACCESSIBLE (0.7 mile)—Trail 8 is a paved trail that begins in the campground, between campsites 14 and 15, and proceeds through woodlands and the Pine Bluff picnic area, ending at the pool and concession stand.

    9. EASY (1.2 miles)—Trail 9 loop trail begins in the Deer Run parking area and loops through hardwood forest, old farm fields and crosses the bridle trail twice before ending in the Deer Run area.

    10. MODERATE (0.7 mile)—Trail 10 begins across McCormick’s Creek, from the Old State House Quarry, and proceeds upstream to the Trail 3 stairway that leads out of the canyon.

    PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS.

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