McCormick's Creek State Park

McCormick's Creek State Park is a nature reserve with multiple waterfalls set in a limestone canyon that opens toward the west fork of the White River. The property includes eight marked hiking trails, a swimming pool, horseback riding facilities, and an inn for overnight stays.

The site became Indiana's first protected state park in 1916 when Richard Lieber purchased it at auction during the state's centennial year. This founding moment made it a milestone in the early movement to preserve natural landscapes across the state.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built limestone structures in the 1930s including bridges and retaining walls that still shape how visitors move through the park today.

Wear sturdy shoes for the trails, especially when the ground is wet from recent rain. Arriving early in the day helps you see the waterfalls in better light and encounter fewer visitors.

A quarry within the park once supplied limestone for Indiana's Capitol building in Indianapolis. This hidden link between the woodland reserve and one of the state's most important government structures often goes unnoticed by visitors.

Location: Owen County

Inception: 1916

Website: https://in.gov/dnr/parklake/2978.htm

GPS coordinates: 39.29444,-86.72778

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02