Charlestown State Park

Charlestown State Park is a large natural area along the Ohio River in Indiana, spanning over 5,000 acres. The landscape features steep limestone bluffs, thick forests, and numerous trails that wind through stream valleys and wooded terrain.

The land was used as a military ammunition plant for many decades before closing in the early 1990s. The property then began transforming into a public park, opening to visitors over the following years.

The site sits where industrial past meets nature today, and you can visit the nature center to learn about wildlife from people who work there. Regular programs help visitors understand how the land is recovering and changing.

Stop at the visitor center first to get oriented and learn which trails match your fitness level and time. The area gets busier on weekends, so arriving early gives you better access to parking and quieter paths.

The Devil's Backbone is a striking natural rock ridge where Fourteen Mile Creek flows into the Ohio River, visible from several spots in the park. This ancient formation contains fossils from hundreds of millions of years ago and displays sinkhole features that reveal how water shapes the land.