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SPRING MILL TRAILS:

In 2008, members of the American Volksport Association voted a volkswalk trail at Spring Mill State Park as one of the 10 best trails in the United States.

Trails were voted on by AVA members. Spring Mill’s trail came in at No. 9. The trail is a combination of two park trails that were joined into one for AVA designation by the Bedford Hiking Club. The trail features old growth, sinkholes, big timber, caves and the Pioneer Village. It can be walked as a 5K or 10K.

Trail Maps: Available at the gatehouse, inn, park office or downloaded from the DNR Web site: in.gov/dnr.

Park entrance fee: $5 per vehicle ($7 out-of-state).

DESCRIPTION OF TRAILS AT SPRING MILL

1. Moderate — .375 mile. Short loop from inn to foot of hill, along Donaldson branch and lake, and return up the hill to the inn.

2. Moderate — .5 mile. Connects village parking area to picnic area and Nature Center.

3. Rugged — 2.5 miles. Long loop trail which one may enter near the Donaldson parking lot; pass Donaldson Cave overlook, then through dense woods past sink holes; past Bronson Cave and on to Twin Caves; through virgin timber of Donaldson Woods Nature Preserve and return to Donaldson picnic area.

4. Rugged— 2 miles. Loop trail may be entered from Trail 4 at picnic area or junction of 1 and 4 near inn; goes by Hamer Cemetery to Pioneer Village.

5. Moderate — 1 mile. Loop around lake. Follows lower section of lake from bridge around to boat docks; near 2, which leads to the picnic area and parking.

6. Accessible — .25 mile. Paved trail that is a loop around the Virgil I. Grissom Memorial.

7. Easy — 1.75 miles. Loops through and around Oak Ridge picnic area and ties into Trail 4 between Hamer Cemetery and Pioneer Village.

S. Stagecoach Trail — Rugged — .5 mile. Follow old road bed from Village up hill to Oak Ridge picnic area and playground.