Picnic Spots Near Me in Merom

In 1952, Cagles Mill Lake was built as Indiana’s first flood control reservoir, protecting the Eel and White river watersheds. Mill Creek feeds the 1,400-acre lake and is home to beautiful Cataract Falls. These falls resulted from two pre-glacial bedrock ridges buried beneath ancient lake sediments of the Illinoisan glacial period.

In the 1800s, Lieber State Recreation Area was populated by the Miami, Shawnee and Potawatomi. In 1809, what was left of the great Miami Indian Confederacy sold the now southern one-third of Indiana to the U.S. government, when the 10 O’Clock Treaty Line, which passes through Lieber SRA, was laid out. To learn more about the history and legends of the area, stop at the Nature Center and speak with the Interpretive Naturalist staff.

The state of the art Aquatic Center is open during the Memorial Day to Labor Day recreation season. The Aquatic Center has a zero entrance pool, water bubblers and a tornado water slide. There are also shelters, a volleyball court and a playground. Other family fun opportunities include hiking trails, boat access to Cagles Mill Lake and a campground. The 115 Class A and 94 Class B campsites make this a lovely place to visit. Plan a picnic in the activities field, where you will find horseshoe pits, basketball courts, and plenty of play areas for the kids. For additional information and for Aquatic Center hours, please contact the property office at (765) 795-4576.

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

ACTIVITIES

• Nature Center
• Basketball Court
• Boating / 2 Launch Ramps
• Fishing
• Fishing Pier
• Hiking Trails
• Horseshoe Pits
• Hunting
• Interpretive Naturalist Services
• Picnicking / Shelterhouse
• Playground Equipment
• Rental - Fishing Boats, Pontoons
• Waterskiing
• Water Safari Boat Tours
• Swimming / Pool / Waterslide 

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.

Native forest and large rock outcrops line the upper part of Big Raccoon Creek. Cecil M. Harden Lake resulted from the damming of the creek for flood control. The lake also provides recreation, wildlife management and economic benefits. A variety of fish, flora and fauna can be viewed at the property.

Nearby Historic Mansfield Roller Mill is a preserved, working example of industrialization in Indiana at the turn of the 20th century. This 1880s flour mill uses machinery from that time to show visitors how flour and cornmeal were processed from wheat and corn. It is an almost complete and unchanged example of flour mills from this time period.

ACTIVITIES

1880's Roller Mill
Tours and Corn Grinding Demonstrations
Archery Range
Basketball Courts
Boating / 5 Launch Ramps
Fishing / Ice Fishing
Fishing Pier (open when water level permits)
Hiking Trails
Horseshoe Pits
Hunting / Limited
Interpretive Services
Picnicking / Shelterhouses
Playground Equipment
Rental - Fishing Boats, Pontoons
Swimming / Beach
Volleyball Courts
Waterskiing
Wildlife Viewing Areas

Camping
Electric / 240 sites
Non-electric / 37 sites
Primitive / 35 sites
Youth Tent Areas
Camp Store
Dumping Station

Turkey Run State Park has what you've been needing. Explore it and see how Indiana was shaped by ancient forces.

You'll discover ancient Indiana's remains. Many old growth trees exist in the park.

A walk into one of the ravines takes you on a trip through time, for the sandstone gorges represent 600 to 300 million years of nature's handiwork.

RECREATION:

HIKING TRAILS

Deep canyons nestled in the shadows of sandstone cliffs and peaceful hemlock groves harbor some of the most ruggedly beautiful hiking trails in the state. Trails are open from dawn to dusk.

To get to many hiking trails you need to cross the suspension bridge over Sugar Creek. Be warned - it is 70 steps down to the suspension bridge. Upon crossing the bridge you will be in the Rocky Hollow-Falls Canyon Nature Preserve, containing deep sandstone canyons and one of the last remnants of the magnificent forest that originally covered most of Indiana. Please protect and enjoy this priceless heritage.

PICNIC AREAS

Turkey Run State Park is an ideal place for a picnic, with picnic areas throughout the park. These picnic tables are available on a first-come, first served basis. There are picnic areas with charcoal grills by the Saddle Barn, near the ball courts, and by the shelter houses.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Turkey Run State Park has miles of bridle trails, so you can enjoy guided horseback rides. Inquire at the saddle barn. (Sorry, you can't bring your own horse.)

While you're at the saddle barn, also ask about hayrides.

The saddle barn is open from April through October 9am - 5pm (weather permitting). The saddle barn is closed in the winter.

For more info call the Saddle Barn at (765) 597-2280. After hours call for reservations at (765) 376-4639.

NATURE CENTER

Turkey Run State Park offers interpretive naturalist services all year long. Scheduled programs include hikes, planetarium programs, history talks, a junior naturalist program, and evening programs. Special groups wishing programs just for their group should call in advance for this free service. Inquire at the Nature Center, Inn or Park Office.

The Nature Center is open year round and can be reached by phone at (765) 597-2654. It features informative displays, interactive exhibits, live wildlife, a small theater offerings things like Star Shows, plus a wildlife watching room with large one-way glass windows overlooking many wildlife feeders.

General hours of operation vary, and the hours are listed below. Keep in mind that there may be some rare, random days that the Nature Center is closed when it would normally be open.

CANOEING

Sugar Creek, one of Indiana's most scenic rivers, flows right through the heart of Turkey Run State Park. While the park does not operate any canoe services, several local canoe liveries operate on Sugar Creek.

In addition, two public access points to Sugar Creek exist just outside Turkey Run: one upstream of the Narrows Covered Bridge at the Brush Creek canoe ramp, and one downstream at the Cox Ford canoe ramp by Cox Ford Covered Bridge.

FISHING

Sugar Creek, one of Indiana's most scenic rivers, flows right through the heart of Turkey Run State Park. You can fish for bass, bluegill and more in the creek, though a state license is required.

If you prefer fishing from a boat note that there are two public access points to Sugar Creek just outside Turkey Run: one upstream of the Narrows Covered Bridge at the Brush Creek canoe ramp, and one downstream at a canoe ramp by Cox Ford Covered Bridge

SWIMMING POOL

Turkey Run State Park is home to an Olympic-size swimming pool with a bathhouse and wading pool.

CAMPGROUND

Electric Sites
Turkey Run has 213 Class A modern campsites with electrical hookup and modern restrooms/showers. (6 sites are handicapped accessible).

Youth Tent Camp
Turkey Run has two primitive group camps with pit toilets (no showers or restrooms).

Camp Store
Turkey Run operates a store at the campground for your camping needs

Shades State Park is that peaceful place you've sought. Located about 17 miles southwest of Crawfordsville (off S.R. 47), it is a favorite for hikers and canoeists.

The beautiful sandstone cliffs overlooking Sugar Creek and numerous shady ravines provide the backdrop for your journey through this nature lover's paradise.

ACTIVITIES (day-use only between November-March)

Picnic areas w/shelters
Hiking Trails
6 Ravine Hiking Challenge
Fishing
Interpretive Naturalist Services (Seasonal)

CAMPING (April - October)
Non-Electric / 105 sites
Backpack / 7 sites
Canoe Camp / 10 sites
Youth Tent Areas
Dumping Station

Discover the boyhood home of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Among the rolling hills and thick forest, young Lincoln learned many life lessons.  Lincoln State Park offers 10 miles of hiking trails, two scenic lakes, and an interpretive center to help you experience early life of settlers in southern Indiana. Your entire family can enjoy a relaxing time at one of the campgrounds, cabins or group cottages. Tour the Colonel Jones Home, the historic home of the merchant and Civil War officer who employed young Lincoln.

ACTIVITIES

Nature Center
Interpretive Naturalist Services
Picnicking/Shelters

Boat Launch Ramp
Boating / Elect. motor only
Fishing
Shelters (Shelter Reservations)
Hiking Trails
A Neighborhood Walk  - Follow the paths of young Abraham Lincoln 150 years ago.
General Store
Rental-Canoe, Paddleboat, Rowboat
Swimming / Beach
Lincoln State Park beach is open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend

Camping
Electric / 150 sites
Non-electric / 88 sites
Primitive / 31 sites
Group Camp
Youth Tent Areas
Dumping Station
Pine Hills Group Cottages
Blue Heron Family Cabins

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.

Nicknamed the "Little Smokies" because of the area's resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Brown County encompasses nearly 16,000 acres of rugged hills, ridges and fog-shrouded ravines. Glaciers from the most recent ice ages stopped short of the "hills o' Brown," but their meltwaters helped create the narrow ridges, steep slopes and deep gullies of Brown County State Park. Indiana's largest park is a traditional fall color hot spot, with nearly 20 miles of tree-lined roads and many scenic vistas overlooking miles of uninterrupted forestland.

Activities

Nature Center / Interpretive Naturalist Services
Shelters
Bridle Trails / Saddle Barn, (with escorted rides: (812) 988-8166 )
Picnic Tables
Fishing / Ice Fishing
Hiking Trails
Mountain Bike Trails
Brown County Mountain Bike Trails
"Bike" magazine says Brown County SP trails among best on continent.
Tennis Courts
Open Fields
Playground Equipment
Swimming / Pool (Policy). Call office for hours.

Camping -  See campground maps under MAPS tab
RVs Use West Gate
Electric / 401 sites
Non-Electric / 28 sites
Rally / 60 sites
Horsemen's - Entrance off 135 South
Electric / 118 sites
Non-Electric / 86 sites
Youth Tent Areas
Camp Store
Dumping Station