Introduction
About Charlestown State Park
Charlestown State Parks 2,339 acres is located just southeast of Charlestown on Indiana 62 in Southern Indiana. The parks four trails take you through diverse terrain including forests, fields, cliffs, wetlands, and Creeks. Elevation changes of over 200 feet make for challenging hikes. Trail 1 and Trail 3 pass near 14 Mile Creek, a popular fishing spot. There is currently no backcountry camping.
In 2005 the park will be adding an additional 2,761 acres from the nearby decommissioned Indiana Ammunition Depot increasing the parks size to 5,100 acres. The expansion will make Charlestown State Park the 3rd largest State park in Indiana.
Campsites include: 131 Class A with 50 amp service and individual water and 61 Class AA with 50 amp service and individual water and sewer hookups. There are no primitive campsites. For reservations click here
Facilities:
Getting There
From I-65 take Indiana 62 east 8 miles to Charlestown. The entrance to the park is on the right.
More Charlestown State Park Links
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Trail 1
After entering Park turn left on gravel road. Trail 1 is a 2.0 mile loop trail that begins at the gravel parking lot and loops around near 14 mile creek eventually returning to the parking lot.
0.00 Trail begins from parking area and heads South.
0.30 Gravel trail descends to the right.
0.44 Trail levels out heading North and begins to parallel a tributary.
0.61 Tributary crosses under trail.
0.63 Foot bridge over tributary.
0.84 To the right of the trail you can see 14 Mile Creek below.
0.92 Trail begins to descend toward 14 Mile Creek.
1.00 Trail passes through a set of boulders.
1.08 Trail crosses tributary that may have small waterfall during wet periods. There is a small bench to rest.
1.11 Foot bridge. Trail descends and levels out, trail marker located just past the bridge.
1.19 Supports for old railway bridge can be seen on both sides of 14 Mile Creek. Trail is wide and more like a logging road.
1.21 Trail starts heading away from 14 Mile Creek.
1.52 Trail turns left at trail maker and begins to ascend.
1.64 Sink hole with small hole in between the rocks that looks pretty deep.
2.00 Parking area.
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Trail 3
The 1.65 trail begins at parking lot next to ammunition building. The trail is strenuous, and has a large elevation change. It descends to 14 Mile Creek and has a spur that leads to a fishing area. A unofficial path follows 14 Mile Creek down stream to the Ohio. Trail 3 follows 14 Mile Creek up stream eventually turn back toward the parking area. The steep climb back can be difficult for people that are not in the best of shape.
0.00 Trail 3 and 4 begin from the parking area. Follow Trail 3 marker to the right along the fence line.
0.19 Trail turns left and begins to descend an old road. This is the steepest part of the trail.
0.35 Trail reaches the bottom of the hill and turns left over a foot bridge. If you continue straight, the trail leads you to a fishing area along 14 Mile Creek. An unofficial trail from the fishing area follows 14 Mile Creek down stream to the Ohio river.
0.43 Steps that start down toward 14 Mile Creek.
0.50 Foot bridge over tributary. Spur trail leads to boulders that have a pass through. The spur trail parallels Trail 3 and then fades. Some have bushwhacked down the steep incline to Trial 3.
0.58 Foot bridge.
0.59 Trail levels and begins to move away from 14 Mile Creek.
0.85 Trail marker points Southwest.
0.90 Trail begins to ascend.
1.24 After steady climb trail begins to level out heading West.
1.65 Trails merger.
1.70 Parking area.
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