Turkey Run State Park
You'll marvel at the natural geologic wonders of this beautiful park as you hike along its famous trails. Nestled along State Road 47 southwest of Crawfordsville, the park offers the chance to explore deep, sandstone ravines, walk along stands of aged forests, and enjoy the scenic views along Sugar Creek.
Located in the plains of Central Indiana, Turkey Run State Park is commonly boasted as the Midwest's best kept secret by outdoor enthusiasts. Its rugged hiking trails bisect stark gorges carved out by glacial meltwater in one of the few areas of the state to contain old growth stands of virgin forest. Nestled within the park is the 1,609 acres of Rocky Hollow-Falls Canyon Nature Preserve. It comes as a surprise to many that this little known parks trail system is regularly voted as having the Best Hiking Trails in the state year after year. Exploring the streams, waterfalls, and gulches of this scenic landscape is unlike any other experience within the Hoosier State.
Turkey Run State Park was first conceived in the early 1900’s by a small group of visionary conservationists seeking to emulate the national park system, but on a smaller state level. Among them was Col. Richard Lieber, the man who would become the father of Indiana’s State Park system and oversee the creation of 10 such parks. The land this park currently sits on was slated to be purchased at auction by a timber company planning on stripping the land of its priceless virgin forest. Through the efforts of volunteers and private equity, the first parcels of Turkey Runs 2,382 acres were purchased during Indiana's centennial in 1916, making this the states second state park.
