Covered Bridge Capital of the World, Rockville

Parke County Covered Bridge Festival

Indiana’s largest festival – the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival – brings together all nine communities of this beautiful wooded county as they showcase 31 historic covered bridges, as well as arts and craftspeople, food vendors and musicians. Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage, shopping galore, and a chance to explore the covered bridges at this 10-day festival, this year running October 12-21. Around the square in Rockville, you can taste your way through the food vendors section before you shop the craftspeople under the tent or browse the shops. The Mansfield Roller Mill is open to visitors as you take a break from shopping the hundreds of vendors. The Tangier community is known for its famous buried beef, while persimmon ice cream is a favorite in Bridgeton.

While you’re in Parke County

While the Covered Bridge Festival fills several days, there are other great stops to be made year-round in Parke County. Across from the Roseville bridge, grab a bite to eat at the Rock Run Café & Bakery in Rosedale. Once owned by Tex Terry, a Parke County native who was the bad guy of old b-western movies, it’s known for its pizza straight from the brick oven, tenderloins and bbq ribs.

See what small-town treasures you can find in the studios and antique stores. There are also countless ways to take home the harvest from the fertile countryside. Visit Sandlady’s Gourd Farm in Tangier for seeds, gourds and art made from gourds. Pick your pumpkin and get lost in a corn maze at Hobson’s Farm.

Ancient glaciers formed the Sugar Creek bed and Turkey Run State Park canyons 300-600 million years ago. Eleven trails totaling 14 miles take you up wooden ladders, across stone beds and under rock ledges. Rent a horse at the saddle barn to take a guided ride on a bridle trail. Not far from the park at Sugar Valley Canoe Trips, you can rent canoes and kayaks to paddle your way through the park on Sugar Creek. For an overnight, camping is available inside (and outside) the park or stay at the homey Turkey Run Inn inside the park. Plan early – hotels sell out during Covered Bridge Festival for miles around! At the Inn, dine in the Narrows Restaurant, enjoy a dip in the indoor heated pool and relax in front of the spacious lobby’s fireplace. 

For more information, visit the Covered Bridge Capital (Parke County) or call 765.569.5226.