SPENCER – Several trails at McCormick’s Creek State Park reopened on Friday, May 24, after being closed to clear downed trees after last year’s March 31 tornado.
Through the efforts of DNR staff and volunteers from Team Rubicon, trail access has increased from 3.6 miles to 7.1 miles since the fall of 2023. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters.
The reopened hiking trails are trails 2 and 3, and the Bridle Trail is reopened for hiking only.
Trail 2 begins behind the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Recreation Hall, ventures into McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve, and ends between the family cabins or the beginning of Trail 1. The reopened portion includes the Quarry Loop. Trail 7 remains closed. Guests should not cross barriers where the Quarry Loop meets Trail 7.
Trail 3 provides access to McCormick’s Creek waterfall from the falls parking area and Canyon Inn. One wooden trail structure has been repaired, extending the trail length by 0.8 miles.
“It is hard to imagine the scope of the damage that blocked these trails,” said Carl Lindell, central regional manager for Indiana State Parks. “Trees fell on top of each other, and sometimes crews were climbing 6-8 feet in the air to move along a trail’s hiking surface to work.
“Marking trees to cut and then clearing them has required well-trained and experienced sawyers working in difficult conditions. Our staff and skilled volunteers have nearly doubled the available trail mileage since last fall.”
Trails 1, 4, and 9 remain open, taking hikers to McCormick’s Cove Nature Preserve, the fire tower, and the Peden Farmstead.
Trail 8 remains partially open from the pool to the nature center area but is closed beyond Pine Bluff Shelter, which leads to the campground.
Although more of the trail system at McCormick’s Creek is now reopening, trails 5, 6, 7, and 10 remain closed until crews clear them and trail structures are repaired. Guests should respect closure signs and not use these trails until they are ready for safe use.
The saddle barn will be closed during the 2024 season for pasture restoration and barn maintenance.
For more information on McCormick’s Creek’s other features, please visit on.IN.gov/mccormickscreek. For updates on the tornado recovery efforts, please visit on.IN.gov/mccormicks-recovery. For information on Team Rubicon, please visit teamrubiconusa.org.
