Crowder State Park

Crowder State Park spreads across forested rolling land covering nearly 1,900 acres, with a lake at its center and thick woods of sugar maples and oaks throughout. The grounds include multiple hiking trails, paths for horses, and camping areas with both basic and equipped sites.

The park was founded in 1938 and named after General Enoch Herbert Crowder, a prominent military officer of the 20th century. Its development was also shaped by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work program from the 1930s that built infrastructure across many American parks.

The grounds contain remnants of Native American settlements and a brick house from the early 1800s that tell the story of people who lived here long ago. Visitors walking through the park can encounter these traces of the past scattered throughout the landscape.

The park is easiest to visit during warmer months when all trails are fully accessible and camping areas are fully operational. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and wear good hiking boots, since paths pass through hilly and forested sections.

A stone bridge built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps is one of the few structures here recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. This quiet engineering work shows the skilled craftsmanship from that era.

Location: Grundy County

Inception: 1938

Website: https://mostateparks.com/park/crowder-state-park

GPS coordinates: 40.09220,-93.65920

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23