Turkey Run State Park: Trails #1, 4, 10, and 5 (Blog Hike #124)

Trails: Trails #1, 4, 3, 10, and 5

Hike Location: Turkey Run State Park

Geographic Location: north of Rockville, IN (39.88754, -87.19852)

Length: 5.2 miles

Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)

Dates Hiked: September 2002, June 2015

Overview: A well-rounded hike, varying from moderate to difficult terrain, featuring Turkey Run’s famous canyons.

Park Information: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/turkey-run-state-park/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=940421
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From I-74, take the Crawfordsville exit (exit 34) onto US 231.  Go south on US 231 into Crawfordsville to SR 47 and turn right on SR 47.  Take SR 47 south 17 miles to the park entrance on the right.  From Rockville, go 8 miles north on US 41 and turn right on SR 47.  Take SR 47 2 miles to the park entrance on the left.  From either direction, pay the entrance fee at the park gatehouse and follow signs to the nature center.  Park in the large blacktop lot in front of the nature center.

The hike: Scenery, rock outcrops, history, and difficulty: the trails of Turkey Run State Park have something for everyone.  Established in 1916, Turkey Run was the second area to be included in the Indiana state parks system (McCormick's Creek State Park, described elsewhere in this blog, was the first).  The main attraction at that time was the hiking trails through the narrow vertical rock walls along the tributaries to Sugar Creek. 

With a name such as Turkey Run, you would expect that the centerpiece of the park would be a creek named Turkey Run.  Such is not the case.  Rather, the park’s name probably originates from the wild turkey hunting that was a popular activity here in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  Hunters could chase the turkeys up the canyons where, having no way to escape the steep walls, the turkeys would meet a violent end.

            Today, hiking the canyons is still the most popular activity in this park.  Canoeing the west-flowing Sugar Creek, whose quiet waters bisect the park, comes in a close second.  A modern campground, cabins, and an inn provide rest for travelers.  Several picnic areas are heavily used in warmer weather. 

The park’s hiking trails vary greatly in difficulty, character, and scenery.  Some of the easier trails are on the south side of the creek along with the nature center.  However, the trails that made this park famous are on the north side of Sugar Creek and are accessed by one of the park’s two bridges.  With 10 interconnecting trails totaling 14 miles, possible routes are endless.  The route selected here gives a flavor for all of the park’s trails without being overly rugged.  Feel free to explore the park’s other trails to your interests once you have taken this overview.

Trailhead behind picnic area

            From the nature center, head downhill along a gravel path through a picnic area following signs for the suspension bridge.  Descend 70 concrete steps to a trail intersection at the base of the suspension bridge.  We will return across the suspension bridge, but for now turn right and begin hiking on Trail #1.  Trail #1 is a flat trail that parallels the south bank of Sugar Creek and connects the suspension bridge to the covered bridge, the two dry ways across Sugar Creek. 

            On summer weekends, the creek will be abuzz with activity.  Canoes and kayaks float slowly toward the Wabash with spotters and spectators taking their place along the shore.  On dry summer days, keeping the canoe from running aground in the gravel creekbed can be a challenge.  During the wetter months, the creek may be deep enough to make wading difficult.

Hiking Trail #1

             Whenever you are confronted with a trail intersection, choose the route that stays closest to the creek.  The going through the flood plain forest is easy until, just before reaching the covered bridge, a rock outcrop must be climbed with the aid of narrow steps cut into the stone. 

At the top of bluff the trail arrives at the south abutment for the Narrows Covered Bridge.  Today open only to foot traffic, the bridge dating to 1832 first carried horses and carriages, then became a passage for automobiles until the modern, parallel concrete bridge was built.  Contrary to popular belief, wooden bridges were not covered to fool horses into crossing them but were covered to protect the floor of the bridge from rotting.  Given how long this one and many others have survived, one cannot argue with the builders’ logic.  How many of our concrete bridges will still carry traffic in 150 years?

Narrows Covered Bridge

            Trail #1 turns right here, remaining on the south side of Sugar Creek, but this hike crosses the bridge to access the trails on the north side.  Once across the bridge, where you seem to be boxed in, look for a rough, unmarked trail that goes downhill to the left.  This trail, which looks like a wild trail down to the creek, is actually the connector to Trail #4, which is reached in about 100 feet. Turn right to begin Trail #4.

            Trail #4 heads away from Sugar Creek and begins climbing moderately on an eroded treadway.  At the top of this hill, the trail comes out into a clearing that contains the Lusk Home.  Built in 1841, this simple brick structure was built by the first white settlers to own this land.  As of the date of this writing, tours are available on Saturday mornings during the warm months.  Plan a trip then or admire the simplicity of the structure from the outside.

Lusk Home

            Reentering the forest, the trail drops to cross a small tributary, then climbs gently to the opposite ridge.  The bustle of Sugar Creek is now far behind you, and even on crowded weekends you are likely to be alone on this trail.  Where Trail #8 departs to the left, stay to the right on Trail #4 and descend some stone steps into a shallow ravine.  Though not impressive now, this ravine represents the headwaters of the creek that flows through the park’s steepest and most famous canyons.

Descending on Trail #4

            The trail curves left and begins going downstream, heading for those canyons.  As the ravine begins to build and tighten, the trail crosses the stream for the first of many times.  This crossing will tell you how difficult the next 0.75 miles of this hike will be.  If the creekbed is dry, the hiking will be relatively easy; a little water, and the trail will be passable but difficult; lots of water, and be prepared to get wet and walk gingerly over slippery rock.

            The trail crosses back and forth across the stream.  If the creekbed is dry, it may be easier to walk in the creekbed rather than climb and descend the bank each time.  In 0.5 miles, the trail comes out atop the Punch Bowl, a deep, round area with vertical rock walls where two creeks plunge into the canyon.  This unusual area was created when glacial debris became trapped in a whirlpool and carved the circular patterns seen today.

            Descend some wooden steps into the punch bowl.  In the bottom of the bowl, Trail #4 ends at an intersection with Trail #3.  Adventuresome hikers could turn left here and attempt a difficult and possibly dangerous hike through the canyon on Trail #3.  Such a route would provide a shortcut back to the suspension bridge.  This description will turn right here on Trail #3.  After 0.1 miles of walking in the streambed, ascend another wooden staircase to the left to arrive at a junction with Trail #10.  Turn right to begin Trail #10.

Canyon wall along Trail #3

            Trail #10 is rated moderate and weaves in and out of several shallow ravines.  Climbs are steep but short in duration.   0.5 miles from the junction with Trail #3, Trail #10 reaches a junction on a ridgetop with what appears to be an old logging road.  Be sure not to miss the short side trail that goes right to Camel’s Back, a nice overlook of the rolling Indiana hills to the north.  Benches at this overlook make a nice place for lunch near the midpoint of this hike.  This represents the most distant point from the trailhead.

Approaching Camel's Back

View from Camel's Back

            Continuing on Trail #10, 0.4 miles from the spur trail, Trail #10 reaches another junction with Trail #3.  This hike will turn right on Trail #3 to enter Bear Hollow.  Continuing straight on Trail #10 would provide another opportunity to short-circuit this hike back to the suspension bridge.  Trail #3 descends, moderately at first using steps, then more steeply using a ladder to reach a junction with Trail #5, which goes right.  Turn right on Trail #5 and climb 140 steps out of Bear Hollow to reach a junction with Trail #9.

Hiking Trail #10

            Trail #9 provides an interesting but very difficult excursion into Boulder Canyon to the west.  Due to the extreme difficulty, this description will veer left and remain on Trail #5.  Trail #9 intersects Trail #5 on the other side of Boulder Canyon in 1 mile on Trail #9 or 0.3 miles on our hike, so this loop could be added easily for those seeking more challenge.

            Trail #5 descends moderately through some nice hemlock forest to reach the bank of Sugar Creek and the other intersection with Trail #9.  Curving left to go upstream beside Sugar Creek, the trail assumes a level streamside course.  In 0.25 miles, continue straight at an intersection with Trail #3 coming out of Bear Hollow from the left.  The trail remains along the stream for the distance back to the suspension bridge except for a brief section that goes uphill around a beach surrounded by some exposed rock called the Ice Box.  The Ice Box is popular with canoers due to its seclusion and coolness on a hot summer day.  If you accidentally or intentionally end up there, retrace your steps for 100 feet and find the trail going uphill.

Sugar Creek

            After a brief boardwalk, the trail arrives at the suspension bridge.  Cross the bridge and intersect Trail #1 to close the loop.  Only a short walk up some steps and through the picnic area remains to complete the hike.