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Indiana
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Indiana State Parks

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USA Parks
Indiana
Southern Region
Spring Mill State Park
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Spring Mill State Park Inner workings © Michael E. Ruby
Wooden gears and shafts are driven by the water wheel
Spring Mill State Park © Rich Fowler
Spring Mill State Park Donaldson Cave © Tammy Davis
Donaldson Cave Now closed to hiker due to WNS white nose syndrome that is associated with killing bats at an alarming rate. By closing the cave to hikers they hope to stop the spread of this condition and preserve the bat population in Indiana and the nation
Spring Mill State Park Fall at the Mill © David Hyde
Lower Falls by Hamer Caver and the grist mill water flume
Spring Mill State Park © Roger Stallings
Spring Mill State Park © David Hyde
Spring Mill State Park Water Fall Spring © Freddie G EDGIN
Information about the water and its current.
Spring Mill State Park Speing Mill State Park,IN © Freddie G EDGIN
Historical School House
Spring Mill State Park Speing Mill State Park,IN © Freddie G EDGIN
Historical Home of the Park
Spring Mill State Park Speing Mill State Park,IN © Freddie G EDGIN
The Big Spring Mill. Used for Several things in the Old days.
Spring Mill State Park Speing Mill State Park,IN © Freddie G EDGIN
Historical Living.
Spring Mill State Park Grist Mill © Richard L French
Grist Mill at Spring Mill State Park.
Spring Mill State Park Grist Mill © Michael E. Ruby
The Grist Mill stands ready
Spring Mill State Park Mill and creek © Richard L French
Creek with Grist Mill in the background.
Spring Mill State Park Bridge to fall colors © Richard L French
Beautiful old bridge with fall colors at Spring Mill State Park.
Spring Mill State Park Speing Mill State Park,IN © Freddie G EDGIN
Park Garden
Spring Mill State Park Welcome to our Home © Freddie G EDGIN
Brief rules and regulations
Spring Mill State Park Speing Mill State Park,IN © Freddie G EDGIN
Inner working of the MIll
Spring Mill State Park © Rich Fowler
Spring Mill State Park © Rich Fowler
Spring Mill State Park © Rich Fowler
Spring Mill State Park © Rich Fowler
Spring Mill State Park Spring Mill Lake © Tammy Davis
View from trail 5, near the dam.
Spring Mill State Park Chipmunk © Tammy Davis
Spring Mill has a great variety of wildlife, such as deer, turkey, great blue heron, as well as squirrel, and geese.
Spring Mill State Park © Rich Fowler
Spring Mill State Park © Joseph Foley
Spring Mill State Park © Rich Fowler
Spring Mill State Park © Kurt Bauer
Spring Mill State Park Mill at Spring Mill Park © Paul D. Seigle
Mill at Spring Mill Park, Indiana
Spring Mill State Park Old mill as snow melts © NP Treadway
Spring Mill State Park © Ann McGriffin
Spring Mill State Park Water wheel © Michael E. Ruby
The water wheel runs the milling process.
Spring Mill State Park © NP Treadway
Spring Mill State Park © Kurt Bauer
Spring Mill State Park © NP Treadway
Spring Mill State Park © Kurt Bauer
Spring Mill State Park Step Back in Time © Jody Leavitt Loney
Spring Mill State Park Back in time © Simona Buna
Spring Mill State Park © Dorothy Weatherly
Spring Mill State Park Creek © Lisa K. Crane
This is the creek that runs thru Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park Spring Mill © Rose Swalls
Spring Mill State Park © Rose Swalls
Spring Mill State Park Old mill before snow melts © NP Treadway
Spring Mill State Park © Dorothy Weatherly
Spring Mill State Park © Dorothy Weatherly
Spring Mill State Park © Rose Swalls
Spring Mill State Park © Rose Swalls
Spring Mill State Park © Rose Swalls
Spring Mill State Park © scott ofarrell
Spring Mill State Park Flower Spring Mill State Park © Lisa K. Crane
Spring Mill State Park TREE © Joyce C. Merideth
Sunrays captured thru tree in Spring Mill Park
Spring Mill State Park Rapids © Joyce C. Merideth
Small rapids of the creek in Spring Mill Park.
Spring Mill State Park Buzzards © Joyce C. Merideth
Turkey Buzzards relaxing.
Spring Mill State Park Wood Carver © Joyce C. Merideth
Wood carving demonstations at Spring Mill Park.
Spring Mill State Park CCC Bridge © Tammy Davis
The Civilian Conservation Corps CCC played an important part in restoring the village and other projects within the park, including the lake, shelters, roads and trails.
Spring Mill State Park © Tim Ostrander
Spring Mill State Park © Rose Swalls
Spring Mill State Park © Tim Ostrander
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SPRING MILL STATE PARK
SPRING MILL STATE PARK
Box 376 3333 State Road 60 East
Mitchell, Indiana   47446

Phone: 812-849-3534
Toll Free: 800-457-8283
Reservations: 812-849-3534
Spring Mill abounds in endless opportunities for recreation! The restored pioneer village is a delight as you travel through time to the early 1800s.

Twin Caves is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours run on the half-hour; no advance registrations are accepted (sign up on day of tour only). No children under 3 years of age are allowed on the tour.

The operating hours for Pioneer Village are:

* Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. May through October * Additional days in March, April, November and December as posted. Open Select Days, refer to Spring Mill Program Schedules for dates.
History of the Area
Snuggled into a backdrop of stately oaks and rolling scenic hills, Spring Mill Inn has been one of Southern Indiana's best kept secrets for over 60 years. Spring Mill Inn is located in one of Mother Nature's most beautiful settings; Spring Mill State Park. Literally hundreds of thousands of travelers havedined at our tables, slept peacefully in our beds and snuggled up with a good book around our fireplace. The construction of the Spring Mill Inn began with the clearing of the site in 1936. In 1937, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC's) brought in native Indiana limestone from quarries in nearby Stonington. The limestone was used to build stone walls, laying the foundation work of today's wondrous structure. The CCC's were under the supervision of the Indiana Conservation Department Engineers Henry H. Morgan and Henry Prange. Before its completion two years later, however, there were several obstacles to overcome.

Financial consideration was one of the early obstacles. The State of Indiana did not have sufficient funds to build Spring Mill Inn as designed, so its east wing was deleted from the original design. Financing was finally obtained when the State of Indiana sold huge quantities of sand to the City of Chicago, IL to use as fill material following it's World's Fair. This money was dedicated for the Spring Mill Inn project. Construction bids were submitted several times and the Whittenburg Construction Company of Louisville, KY was finally awarded the marvelous task of constructing Spring Mill Inn on the CCC's foundation.

Located in cavernous Southern Indiana, a small cave was discovered beneath oneof the proposed wings, presenting yet another obstacle. Deep pilings had to bepoured for support that was necessary to straddle the cave, measuring some 15 by29 feet. Cooling this monstrous building was yet another obstacle. Earlyconsiderations were to pump cool air, from nearby Donaldson Cave, to cool theInn. This did not materialize, as it was feared the damp air might contribute toexcessive moisture and mildew in the structure. Air conditioning was added to the Spring Mill Inn in mid 1960's.

The original architectural design called for the building to be built of logs, so that it may blend with the Pioneer Village. A second, and more feasible design was later agreed upon using native Indiana Limestone on the facade of the building. The exterior structure remains essentially the same today as it did when it was completed in 1939. In 1976, a major renovation added a wing of 29 sleeping rooms, which was similar to the original East Wing deleted early in the project, a large conference room overlooking Spring Mill Lake, and an indoor-outdoor pool.

When Spring Mill Inn officially opened in 1939; Myron L. Rees was appointed its first manager. The dedication ceremony included such distinguished guests as Governor Clifford Townsend, Colonel Richard Lieber, State Representative E. Y.Guernsey, U.S. Congressman Eugene B. Crowe and State Entomologist FrankWallace. Representatives from numerous local civic groups and neighboringconservation departments were present as well as the leadership of the IndianConservation Departments. As "Father of the Indiana Park System", ColonelLieber was an especially honored guest for his considerable effort in the creation of Spring Mill State Park.
Passes
State park permits can be purchased at any of the state park property locations across Indiana. State park permits can also be ordered online by visiting the INDINIA ENTRANCE FEE web page.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
GeneralLand, acres1,300
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Picnickingyes
 Picnic Sheltersyes
 Swimming Beachyes
 Bridle Trailsyes
 Nature Centeryes
 Nature Programsyes
BoatingBoating Limits-1
CampingPrimitive, #36
 Electric Sites, #187
 Flush Toiletsyes
 Dumpstationyes
 Showersyes
 Camp Commissaryyes
 Youth Group Campyes
WinterIce Fishingyes
 Activitiesyes
AccommodationsLodge Roomsyes
 Game Roomyes
 Indoor Swimming Poolyes
 Restaurantyes
Camping
* Electric / 187 sites * Primitive / 36 sites * Youth Tent Areas * Camp Store * Dumping Station
Fishing
You can fish in a 23-acre lake, home to bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. A valid license is required.


Location
Spring Mill State Park is located near Bedford

Picnicking
Spring Mill State Park offers numerous picnic areas with tables and grills. Some sites also have shelters available for rent.
Birding
Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting a variety of species, including warblers and woodpeckers. The park also features birding trails for exploration.
Area Attractions
Gus Grissom Memorial Now Open with New Exhibits

The Grissom Memorial honors Hoosier astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom, one of the seven Mercury astronauts and America's second man in space. The Memorial tells the story of Gus Grissom's life and contributions to the space program. Exhibits include Grissom's space suit, one of the space capsules he flew in and many artifacts from his youth and adulthood.

* Cave River Valley Natural Area Management Plan * Picnic areas w/shelters (Shelter Reservations) * Nature Center/Interpretive Naturalist Services * Boat Motor / Electric trolling only (limited access) * Caves / Donaldson & Twin * Fishing / Ice Fishing * Hiking Trails * Mountain Bike Trails (bike rental available) * Grissom Memorial * Inn Accommodations * Inn Restaurant * Meeting & Conference Facilities * Pioneer Village / Grist Mill * Volleyball & Other Games * Swimming / Pool (Policy)

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
June 6 by Jim_P_
park review stars; one to five
April 8 by Deanna_p
park review stars; one to five
November 17 BEST PLACE by Dave n Terri Brown
park review stars; one to five We go to Springmill SP as often as we can. The trails are ways fun to hike or in our case walk to get a good cardio workout. Ppl we meet on the trails and in the village are always friendly not to mention the friendly staff at the gates and inside the stores. Love going there
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Indiana State Parks

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