A view at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Photos provided by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

News Release

SPENCER — Several trails at McCormick’s Creek State Park will reopen Friday, May 24, after being closed for clearing of downed trees after March 31, 2023’s tornado.

Through the efforts of Department of Natural Resources staff and volunteers from Team Rubicon, trail access has increased from 3.6 miles to 7.1 miles since the fall of 2023. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters.

The reopened hiking trails are trails 2 and 3, and the Bridle Trail is reopened for hiking only, as the saddle barn will be closed during the 2024 season for pasture restoration and barn maintenance.

Trail 2 begins behind the Civilian Conservation Corps Recreation Hall, ventures into McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve, and ends between the family cabins or the beginning of Trail 1. The reopened portion includes the Quarry Loop. Trail 7 remains closed. Guests should not cross barriers where the Quarry Loop meets Trail 7.

Trail 3 provides access to McCormick’s Creek waterfall from the falls parking area and from Canyon Inn. One wooden trail structure has been repaired, extending the trail length by 0.8 miles.

“It is hard to imagine the scope of the damage that blocked these trails,” said Carl Lindell, central regional manager for Indiana State Parks. “Trees fell on top of each other, and sometimes crews were climbing 6-8 feet in the air to move along a trail’s hiking surface to work.

“Marking trees to cut and then clearing them has required well-trained and experienced sawyers working in difficult conditions. Our staff and skilled volunteers have nearly doubled the available trail mileage since last fall,” said Lindell.

Trails 1, 4, and 9 remain fully open, taking hikers to McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve, the fire tower, and the Peden Farmstead.

Trail 8 remains partially open from the pool to the nature center area but is closed beyond Pine Bluff Shelter where it leads to the campground.

Although more of the trail system at McCormick’s Creek is now reopening, closures remain on trails 5, 6, 7, and 10 until crews clear them and trail structures are repaired. Guests should respect closure signs and should not use these trails until they are ready for safe use.

According to the Indiana DNR, McCormick’s Creek State Park is the oldest state park in Indiana.

For more information on McCormick’s Creek’s other features, please visit on.IN.gov/mccormickscreek. For updates on the tornado recovery efforts please visit on.IN.gov/mccormicks-recovery. For information on Team Rubicon, please visit teamrubiconusa.org.