Spring Mill State Park

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Spring Mill State Park

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The official Indiana DNR page for Spring Mill State Park. Commenting policy: on.IN.gov/dnrsocial. This property is in the Eastern time zone.

Spring Mill State Park offers a powerful illustration of the link between the natural and cultural worlds. The water flowing from several cave springs led to the founding of an industrial village in the early 1800s. Pioneer entrepreneurs took advantage of a constant water source that never froze, using it to power several gristmills, a wool mill, a saw mill, and a distillery. In turn, pioneer settlers shaped the landscape around the village, clearing land for agriculture and timber. The park today continues to illustrate how nature shapes us and how we shape our environment. A parcel of virgin timber sits in contrast to regenerated forest, a man-made lake struggles to survive against the in-flow of silt from cave-fed systems, and the native flora and fauna face challenges from man’s introduction of new species. Visitors can explore this story in the park’s four interpretive facilities—the Pioneer Village, Nature Center, Grissom Memorial, and Twin Caves Boat Tour—and see it reflected on the landscape as they hike the trails. The interpretive staff also offers a wide variety of public programs, including an extensive special events schedule. Please review our commenting guidelines at https://on.IN.gov/dnrsocial.

09/09/2026

Our new Woman's Monthly Hike series continues with our hike on September 13th. Meet at the Pioneer Village parking lot for a 1-mile rugged hike on Trail 4 and the Stagecoach Trail.

We look forward to seeing you out there on the trails in 2026! on.IN.gov/springmillsp

Please join us for a new hiking series for women on the second Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. Participate in all the hikes from January through September, and you will complete the Spring Mill Hike Challenge!
Jan. 11: Meet at the Grissom Memorial for a .25-mile accessible hike on trail 6.
Feb. 8: Meet at the Pioneer Village parking lot for a moderate 1.5-mile hike on trails 2 and 5.
March 8: Meet at the swimming pool parking lot for an easy 2-mile hike on the Mountain Bike Trail.
April 12: Meet at the Donaldson’s Cave parking lot for a rugged 2.5-mile hike on Trail 3.
May 10: Join us for a special Mother’s Day hike on trails 4 and 7, meeting at the Donaldson’s Cave parking lot for a 2.5-mile easy hike.
June 14: Meet at the Donaldson’s Cave parking lot for a rugged 2-mile hike on Trail 4.
July 12: Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a 1-mile moderate hike on Trail 5.
Aug. 9: Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a .5-mile moderate hike on Trail 1.
Sept. 13: Meet at the Pioneer Village parking lot for a 1-mile rugged hike on Trail 4 and the Stagecoach Trail.
Oct. 11: Meet at the Spring Mill Inn for a paved 5k hike on the hike and bike trail around the park.
Nov. 8: Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a 1-mile moderate hike on Trail 5.
Dec. 13: Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a 1-mile moderate hike on trails 1, 2, 4 and 5.

09/04/2026

Join us for Fiber Arts Weekend, September 5th through the 7th!

Pioneer Games at the Mill. Lawn along with a photo opportunity at the wagon. Bobbin Lace demonstration with an interactive Bobbin Lace pillow for those who want to try, button art display, spinning demonstration.

Saturday September 5th
10:30 am: Pick up a cord making kit and make a cord Friendship bracelet at the Upper Residence
11:30 am: Weave a patriotic Flag, Granny White's House
12:30 pm: Pick up a popsicle stick knitter learn to use it and take it home. Upper Residence
1:30 pm: Sawmill Runs the wheel side of the Grist Mill
2:30 pm: Needle Felting Demonstration at the Weaver's Cabin. Pick up step by step picture handout.
3:30 pm: Make a leather craft, Leather Shop.
4:15 pm: Pick up a yarn ornament kit to take home. Upper Residence.
4:30 pm: Grist Mill and Mercantile closes.
4:45 pm: Village is closed by 5

Sunday September 6th
10:30 am: Make Thaumatrope a pioneer toy that proves persistence of vision, Upper Residence.
11:30 am: Learn to make a string doll, Weaver’s Cabin.
12:30 pm: Pick up paper dolls and Mill Cross word at the Grist Mill.
1:30 pm: Finger Weaving, use loops to weave a bracelet, Upper Residence.
2:30 pm: Make a leather Craft, Leather Shop.
3:30 pm: Make a cloth covered button magnet, Upper Residence.
4:15 pm: Pick up a kit to make a cord friendship bracelet, Upper Residence.
4:30 pm: Grist Mill and Mercantile closed.
4:45 pm: Village is closed by 5.

Monday September 7th
10:30 am. Felted Soap demonstration, Upper Residence.
11:30 am. Make a Gods eye ornament Granny White's House.
12:30 pm. Learn to make a Penny Rug Ornament and pick up a kit to take home. Upper Residence.
1:30 pm. Sawmill runs. The wheel side of the Grist Mill.
1:45 pm. Find out about Weaving and Pick up a kit to weave a coaster to take home, Weaver’s Cabin.
2:30 pm. Make a Leather Craft, Leather Shop.
3:30 pm. Make a small cornhusk doll, Upper Residence.
4:15 pm. Stop by the upper residence and see what kits are left and take one home.
4:30 pm. Mill and Mercantile closed.
4:45 pm: Village closed by 5

on.IN.gov/springmill

08/26/2026

Join us for Fiber Arts Weekend, Sept. 5-7!

Pioneer Games at the Mill. Lawn along with a photo opportunity at the wagon. Bobbin Lace demonstration with an interactive Bobbin Lace pillow for those who want to try, button art display, spinning demonstration.

Saturday, Sept. 5
10:30 am: Pick up a cord making kit and make a cord Friendship bracelet at the Upper Residence.
11:30 am: Weave a patriotic Flag Granny Whites House.
12:30 pm: Pick up a popsicle stick knitter learn to use it and take it home. Upper Residence.
1:30 pm: Sawmill Runs the wheel side of the Grist Mill.
2:30 pm: Needle Felting Demonstration at the Weavers Cabin pick up step by step picture handout.
3:30 pm: Make a leather craft, Leather Shop.
4:15 pm: Pick up a yarn ornament kit to take home. Upper Residence.
4:30 pm: Grist Mill and Mercantile close.
4:45 pm: Village building begin closing, Village is closed by 5.

Sunday, Sept. 6
10:30 am: Make Thaumatrope a pioneer toy that proves persistence of vision, Upper Residence.
11:30 am: Learn to make a string doll, Weaver’s Cabin.
12:30 pm: Pick up paper dolls and Mill crossword at the Grist Mill.
1:30 pm: Finger Weaving, use loops to weave a bracelet, Upper Residence.
2:30 pm: Make a leather Craft, Leather Shop.
3:30 pm: Make a cloth covered button magnet, Upper Residence.
4:15 pm: Pick up a kit to make a cord friendship bracelet, Upper Residence.
4:30 pm: Grist Mill and Mercantile closes.
4:45 pm: Village closed by 5.

Monday, Sept. 7
10:30 am: Felted Soap demonstration, Upper Residence.
11:30 am: Make a God's eye ornament, Granny White's House.
12:30 pm: Learn to make a Penny Rug Ornament and pick up a kit to take home. Upper Residence.
1:30 pm: Sawmill runs. The wheel side of the Grist Mill.
1:45 pm: Find out about Weaving and Pick up a kit to weave a coaster to take home, Weaver’s Cabin.
2:30 pm: Make a leather craft, Leather Shop.
3:30 pm: Make a small cornhusk doll, Upper Residence.
4:15 pm: Stop by the upper residence and see what kits are left and take one home.
4:30 pm: Mill and Mercantile are closed.
4:45 pm: Village closed by 5.
on.IN.gov/springmill

08/21/2026

We are one week out from our next Full Moon Hike!

Experience the natural world come to life as we hike each month under the Full Moon! Red flashlights are required- bring your own or borrow one of ours!

August's Full Moon Hike is:

Friday, August 28 – 9:00 PM Full Sturgeon Moon Hike
Meet at Spring Mill Inn 2-mile hike on Trail 4

on.IN.gov/springmillsp

08/20/2026

Come and join us for an Interpretive Program this Saturday!

Saturday, August 22nd
10am Wellness Hike: August is National Wellness month! Join us for a hike on Trail 5 around Spring Mill Lake that will focus on wellness and how it connects with nature. Hike meets at the Lakeview Activity Center. 1-mile moderate hike, 1 hour.
11am S**t and Track: Most wild animals fear humans. Many of them only come out at night. Learn about the ways we can look for these animals using the signs they leave behind then make a craft to take home and remember what you learned!
12pm Bug Catching Contest: Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to compete in our 30-minute Bug Catching Contest! Nets and Cans are available while supplies last, bring your own if you have them. First, Second, and Third place prizes will be awarded. Bugs will be judged on size, rarity, difficulty of catch, presentation, and uniqueness.
on.IN.gov/springmill

08/14/2026

Join us this weekend for an interpretive program!

Saturday, August 15th
10am Mammal March: They’re all around but surprisingly hard to see. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center as we go out in search of evidence of the Mammals that live at Spring Mill State Park. 1 hour moderate.
1pm Grissom Memorial Tour: Take a guided tour and see additional artifacts rarely seen by the public!
3pm Indiana Cryptids: All people have stories of monsters. Hoosiers are no exception. Visit the Lakeview Activity Center for a lesson on the monsters of Indiana’s folklore… if you dare…

Sunday, August 16th
10am Donaldson Cave Hike: Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for a moderate hike on trails 1 and 4. Learn about George Donaldson and the Shawnee Cave system. Bring a Flashlight and wear close toed shoes!
1pm Tree ID: Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center and learn some of the trees found here in the park. Look at seeds, bark and leaves!
on.IN.gov/springmill

08/13/2026

Take only photographs, leave only footprints, and make lots of memories at Indiana State Parks. This time of year, parks see an uptick of painted rocks - probably because kids make lots of crafts over the summer. Just a reminder, visitors are to carry OUT anything they brought IN to the park. (Geocaching is the one exception, and details can be found here https://ow.ly/OHAu50ZrtwU)

This collection of painted rocks and trinkets were found in ONE weekend at ONE park on ONE trail. Yes, they're fun to make and fun to find, but better placed around the neighborhood or community park.

https://ow.ly/ZcoY50ZrtwS

08/06/2026

Update: Phones are back! Thank you for your patience.

Due to damage to a fiber line outside the park, Spring Mill State Park is currently experiencing a phone outage in our office. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as the issue is being resolved.

In the meantime, please send us a message here on Facebook, and we’ll respond as soon as we’re able. Thank you for your understanding!

Last update: 8/6/26

08/05/2026

Our new Woman's Monthly Hike series continues with our hike on August 9th. Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a .5-mile moderate hike on Trail 1.

We look forward to seeing you out there on the trails in 2026! on.IN.gov/springmillsp

Please join us for a new hiking series for women on the second Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. Participate in all the hikes from January through September, and you will complete the Spring Mill Hike Challenge!
Jan. 11: Meet at the Grissom Memorial for a .25-mile accessible hike on trail 6.
Feb. 8: Meet at the Pioneer Village parking lot for a moderate 1.5-mile hike on trails 2 and 5.
March 8: Meet at the swimming pool parking lot for an easy 2-mile hike on the Mountain Bike Trail.
April 12: Meet at the Donaldson’s Cave parking lot for a rugged 2.5-mile hike on Trail 3.
May 10: Join us for a special Mother’s Day hike on trails 4 and 7, meeting at the Donaldson’s Cave parking lot for a 2.5-mile easy hike.
June 14: Meet at the Donaldson’s Cave parking lot for a rugged 2-mile hike on Trail 4.
July 12: Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a 1-mile moderate hike on Trail 5.
Aug. 9: Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a .5-mile moderate hike on Trail 1.
Sept. 13: Meet at the Pioneer Village parking lot for a 1-mile rugged hike on Trail 4 and the Stagecoach Trail.
Oct. 11: Meet at the Spring Mill Inn for a paved 5k hike on the hike and bike trail around the park.
Nov. 8: Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a 1-mile moderate hike on Trail 5.
Dec. 13: Meet at the front of Spring Mill Inn for a 1-mile moderate hike on trails 1, 2, 4 and 5.

07/31/2026

Join us this weekend, August 1st and 2nd, for our Pioneer Heritage day and Quilt show!

Pioneer Heritage Day 2026
August 1
All Day
Cornmeal ground from 10-4 on the hour
Take photos at the Covered Wagon (Mill Lawn)
Play Stilts, ring toss, and Graces (Mill Lawn)
10:30 Make a Thaumatrope (Upper Res)
11:30 Watch as the Blacksmith fashions useful items out of Iron. (Blacksmith shop)
11:45 Make a Gods Eye (Granny Whites)
12:30 Pick up paper dolls like pioneer kids played with (Upper Res)
1:30 Sawmill Runs (Back side of Mill)
1:45 make a small cornhusk doll (Upper Res)
2:30 Pick up a cardboard loom and find out how to weave (Weavers Cabin)
3:30 Make a leather craft (Leather Shop)
4:15 Learn to make cord while making a friendship bracelet . (Upper Residence)
4:30 Mercantile and Mill Close
5:00 village is closed.

Quilt Show
August 2
Take photos at the covered wagon
Play Stilts, Ring Toss and Graces (Mill Lawn)
12:00am to 4:00pm Quilt Show between the Village Residences
4:30 Mercantile and Mill Close
5:00 village is closed

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/spring-mill-state-park/nature-center-events

Address

3333 State Road 60 E
Mitchell, IN
47446

Telephone

(812) 849-3534

Website

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/spring-mill-state-park

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