I'd long wanted to visit O'Bannon Woods State Park, though the truth is I seldom get down to the Corydon area. However, since my position at work changed over the past year this has resulted in my spending time in different areas of the state. A meeting in Corydon finally gave me the opportunity to check out this state park. O'Bannon Woods State Park was formerly known as Wyandotte Woods State Recreation Area. It borders the Ohio River. It is actually inside the 2400-acre Harrison Crawford State Forest, though it is considered entirely separate in terms of management. This is also true of the nearby Wyandotte Caves State Recreation Area. O'Bannon Woods was the location of one of the few African-American Civilian Conservation Corps units. The property also has a uniquely restored, working haypress barn, complete with oxen for power and a pioneer farmstead. Indiana's first natural and scenic river, Blue River, flows through the state park and forest. Stagestop Campground is here, though it's currently closed. The Corydon Capitol State Historic Site is also located not far away - for those who don't know, Corydon was Indiana's first state capitol. The state park includes a variety of activities, though I would probably consider it one of Indiana's more rustic parks. Activities include a nature center/interpretive Naturalist services, horse trails, picnic tables, fishing/boating, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, a family aquatic center, and camping (281 electric sites, 47 horseman non-electric sites). There's also a group camp option with 50 bunks and 50 single beds. O'Bannon Woods has 12 hiking trails with all of them ranging from moderate to rugged in difficulty. I doubt I would call any of them wheelchair friendly unless you have an all-terrain chair. The distances range from .8 to 8 miles. You can do some combining and actually get a serious trail - AllTrails lists a 23.5 mile trail called Adventure Hiking Trail. Wyandotte Caves is open to the public. They have both a relatively easy tour and a rugged tour available. While the shorter tour is labeled as easy, I'd say that's on the "I can walk" scale because it basically means there are no long staircases. If you wonder, I'd contact the park. This park is awesome for its beauty and awesome for the likelihood of seeing wildlife. If you have small children, you'll likely want to keep an eye on them as you can find black bears here along with wild turkeys, foxes, wild cats, white-tailed deer and others. The park was established in 1981, though this area is rich in history. It's named after the late Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon. The area was once inhabited by Native Americans including the Shawnee and Miami. A couple landmarks to check out - The Pioneer Homestead is a cool experience, there's a Fire Tower here that is pretty amazing (I obviously didn't climb it), and Haypress Falls is one of the park's most beautiful natural spots. A visit to Corydon is an amazing day trip filled with lots of Indiana history. In fact, I'd say this would even be a great weekend getaway. It took me way too long to get here, but I'm hoping I have another meeting here soon. read more

See all

I absolutely love this state park! There is so much to do here, with several large towns/cities nearby. Located 15 min from the heart of Corydon (Indiana's original state capital), this state park was established in 1980 as Wyandotte Woods State Recreational Area. Then in 2004, it was renamed, to honor the late Indiana Governor, Frank O'Bannon. This 2,294 acre property is unique, in that it is surrounded by 24,000 acres of protected forest, called Harrison-Crawford State Forest. This park is rich in history, because it lies along the Ohio River, where 1800s settlers established towns, businesses and early trading with the Native Americans. There are still many foundations, cemeteries and historical structures within the park. Located at the nature center is the replicated 1830s farmstead, with a the 1850s haypress. There are live animals and occasional demonstrations/re-enactments and activities here. Within the park, there is electrical camping, group camping, primitive camping and horseman's camping. There is an aquatic center, nature center, wyandotte caves, Blue River, Ohio River, and lots of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Blue River offers activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, rafting, and swimming. Entrance into the river is located outside the park at Iron Bridge, Stage Stop primitive campground, or Blue River Chapel (all on or just off of 62). There are several hiking trails within the park, most rated moderate or rugged. For a nice easy hike, one that is even handicap accessible, I would suggest taking the bridge to the W (left side) of nature center property and hiking the one mile loop trail. It is all gravel, mostly level, had a couple wide bridges, and informative plagues along the way. This trail is called the Tulip Valley trial (B), and can be accessed from the campground, but the moderate part of the trail is from the campground to the nature center. If you start at the nature center, it's easy. The bridge is located between the parking lot and the nature center entrance, on the left side. The Adventure Hiking Trail (AHT) also runs through this park. It is a 25.5 mile rugged backpacking trail. It's IN's longest and most scenic backpacking trail. It takes about 3 days to complete with 5 overnight shelters available. Note, there is no camp store located in this park, they only sell ice and firewood at the gate. Walmart, gas, food, etc is 15 min into Corydon. read more

See all

After a few recent visits to Indiana state parks, I am considering getting an annual pass next year. The thought first occurred with a visit to O'Bannon Woods several weeks ago, and after a visit to another Indiana State Park...I am pretty sure I'll be getting one so I can visit IN parks without having to pay $9 EVERY visit (because I am a KY resident). Anyway, our first intended trail for hiking on this day was...not the most welcoming, had no parking, and warned of MANY ticks on the hiking app my fella has. We quickly altered course and headed back to O'Bannon Woods State Park. The park is pretty simple to get to with a GPS, and is near to the Ohio River Scenic Byway (which is how we got home). The back end of the park butts up to the Ohio River. There are paths and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. And there appears to be other amenities such as campgrounds, picnic areas and shelters, a pool, etc. There is something for everyone! When we drove up, we paid our entry fee, grabbed a map and decided to head first to the Nature Center. Primarily for toilet use before starting our hike. After a quick pee, we took the accessible trail that loops near to the nature center. It isn't terribly exciting, and is not at all difficult (accessible, remember). But plant life along the trail is identified, there is a blind set up for wildlife viewing if you have the desire and time to sit and wait for anything to show up, and plenty of benches to sit and enjoy nature. That loop is only about a mile long. A lot of the trails listed on the map are rather short. Aside from the Adventure Trail, I don't think there were any longer than 4 miles. So after we finished with the shorter trail, we drove up to the lot near the river to hike the Ohio River Bluff Trail. This trail follows the river (obviously) and though it seems rather high up from the water, it appears that when the water level rises, it easily and likely often comes up over the lower part of the trail. The trail was littered with river debris, but also an awful lot of trash. At first I assumed from dumping and littering, but as we saw more natural debris, I supposed that it could also be swept in with high and rushing river water. I wish that it could be cleaned up and cleared out, though, because it really took away from the loveliness of being in nature and getting my hike on. The trash is my main complaint, and my secondary one with this trail is that where it turns to take you up to the bluffs...it also looks like it continues on ahead of you. The trail marker even says "loop" and points that way. But that loop....it isn't on the map and I don't know where it goes. We kept walking and ended up at a creek inlet that feeds in to the Ohio River. Across the way we could hear music and saw a boat launch. We were a little confused. But we turned around and went back to the split. I didn't mind the extra distance, though. It just wasn't the most clearly marked trail. The bluff trail boasts that there are "vistas" of the Ohio River. And there are, if you are feeling brave enough to step out on to some rock ledges. And the vistas aren't particularly sweeping, most are small views through natural holes in the tree cover. Still, the trail was adequately difficult, and being outside was really all I wanted and needed. After our hike, we returned to the Nature Center for one more pee break. And we ended up hanging around and exploring the small center, because though she be small, she is mighty! It is chock full of LIVING animals that can be found in Indiana parks (snapping turtles and snakes and spiders! OH MY!!). There are animal bones that had been found, displays of native moths and butterflies, and an indoor room for viewing birds outside...with a MICROPHONE amplifying the sounds from outdoors (which sometimes includes a car horn or people chit chatting). This is the most impressive nature center I have encountered in sometime! And it packs a punch, like the Tardis, there is more inside than I ever expected possible! And they have in the entry hall a number of tourist pamphlets and maps and whatnot for other things to see and experience in Southern Indiana. What a lovely surprise! I hope to come back sometime with the Fella to take on the Adventure Trail! read more

See all

O'Bannon Woods State Park is awesome! B has been biking here for a while, but I had never been until this past weekend. We decided to go camping fairly last minute, but we didn't have any issues reserving a campsite. And it was perfect! We stayed at the non-electric Horse Camp site, and I loved it! There were plenty of restrooms, and they're all very clean! Plus, there's a shower house, but only one (out of three) of the women's showers were working. Luckily the campground was fairly empty during our stay, so I didn't have any issue using the facilities. The camp sites are well spaced, they include plenty of flat ground and shade, and there are trees to hang a hammock (or other camping gear), if needed. We spent our time doing a bit of hiking and fishing, as well as exploring the area. I loved the Nature Center! It's very educational, and the grounds include a butterfly farm, pioneer village, herb gardens, and livestock. If you're in the area I definitely recommend stopping to check it out! My first trip to O'Bannon Woods State Park was great! I can't wait to go back. I'll definitely be going a lot! read more

Wonderful place to hike, bring the pets, bring a horse and enjoy the area. Climb the fire tower for an amazing view any season. Well maintained area, plenty of large camp sites with so many trees just waiting for a hammock. read more

See all

Well we braved the adventure hiking trail in August. I have the bug bites and poison ivy to prove it! But it was a beautiful challenging hike and park. We started on the north part of the trail and went south. You much hide water along an area where a road intersects the trail. There are no water sources except at the camp ground. We didn't have any problem hiding or finding our water. We hiked two miles to Rendezvous Point and camped for the night. Very hard to find a flat spot for your tent without poison ivy. Should've stayed right at the head of the trail at the primitive camp. The next day a 16 mile hike to the Ohio River Shelter which was amazing. But that hike was hot and hard. Mostly you are in the woods and shaded but the bugs were bag and humidity was ridiculous. Also this section was very primitive- over grown- trudging through tall grass and stickers. Both of us found ticks (unlatched) after. And the spiders- YIKES! That was such a mental challenge if you are leading the group- you constantly have to swing a stick or leafy Branch a head to stop from running head first into a web with a spider waiting to catch a ride. After the crossing of cold Friday road where we resupplied- heartbreak ridge was an intense ascent back to the ridge to overlook the Ohio. The Ohio shelter is not sealed- so watch out for mice visitors! Shelters are first come. The next day we hiked the last 9 miles back to the car- the sections by the camp ground were more open and less over grown! It was a nice break from the day before. Watch out for bikers- we only saw a few and they were great at giving a warning. The camp ground water and bathroom was an oasis! Campground looked really nice and was packed! Will have to return! read more

This park is disgusting, there is dirt everywhere and so noisy. I can't find a place to sit down without getting dirty. This park is disgusting! Don't ever go here. read more