Charlestown State Park

Charlestown State Park is an Indiana state park on 5,100 acres (20.64 km2) in Clark County, Indiana, in the United States. The park is on the banks of the Ohio River, 1 mile (2 km) east of Charlestown. It was once part of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant (INAAP), and was donated in separate parcels to the Indiana state government. In 1993, the state of Indiana was given 859 acres (3.48 km2), and in 1994 was given an additional 1,125 acres (4.55 km2) . When the park opened in 1996, it encompassed 2,400 acres (9.7 km2). With an additional 2,600 acres (10.5 km2) given by the INAAP in 2004, the park has 5,100 acres (20.6 km2), making it the third largest state park in Indiana.[2] The park attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually.[1]

Charlestown State Park
Map showing the location of Charlestown State Park
Map showing the location of Charlestown State Park
Map of the U.S. state of Indiana showing the location of Charlestown State Park
LocationClark County, Indiana, USA
Nearest cityCharlestown, Indiana
Coordinates38°25′48″N 85°37′48″W
Area5,100 acres (21 km2)
EstablishedOctober 12, 1996
Visitors198,808 (in 2018–2019)[1]
Governing bodyIndiana Department of Natural Resources
Entrance of Charlestown State Park

Features

The main feature of the park is various scenic trails overlooking Fourteen Mile Creek, noted for being one of the oldest unglaciated stream valleys in the state. On the peninsula the creek forms where it meets the Ohio River stands an isolated bedrock ridge called the Devil's Backbone. According to legend, the Devil's Backbone forms part of the remains of an ancient stone fortress built by Welsh adventurers who traveled to the Ohio Valley in the 12th century, though the story is unsubstantiated. The Backbone is restricted, however park staff offer limited tours in the winter. Over 14 miles of hiking trails are available for use, with many great views of the Ohio River, Fourteen Mile Creek and more.

Charlestown State Park has a 192 site campground, including "Full Hook up" campsites.

Devonian fossils and karst sinkholes can be found in the park, in addition to 72 species of birds, including bluebirds, black vultures and bald eagles.

The park was scheduled for $3 million in improvements, which were delayed in January 2006 when workers building a new boat ramp found a Native American cooking area dating back to 2,000 B.C. The remains of firepits and stone slabs that would be used to crack nuts were found, as well as Laurel chert, from which stone tools were made. Only once the archaeological surveys were done could work on the improvements, including a five-lane boat ramp and a riverfront walking trail, continue. In September, 2006 construction of the new boat ramps restarted.[3] The boat ramp opened in June 2007.

In September 2011, the historic Portersville Bridge was relocated and reconstructed to cross the creek and connect Rose Island for the first time.[4] Park Staff offer regular guided tours of Rose Island.

Future plans

There are still railroad tracks and private houses on the property, and the Indiana state government is still deciding what to do with them. Future developments confirmed by the state for the park include more hiking trails, Mountain Bike trails, improvements to the campground, a Nature Center and cabins.[5]

  • Park office
    Park office
  • Distant view of river landing
    Distant view of river landing
  • River landing
    River landing
  • Remains of the area's time as part of the IAAP still exist all over the property
    Remains of the area's time as part of the IAAP still exist all over the property
  • Road leading to the river landing
    Road leading to the river landing
  • Start of Trail 3, using remains of the road to Rose Island
    Start of Trail 3, using remains of the road to Rose Island
  • Trail 3 leading from the Rose Island section, where the ruggedness start
    Trail 3 leading from the Rose Island section, where the ruggedness start
  • Waterfront along Fourteen Mile Creek
    Waterfront along Fourteen Mile Creek

References
  1. "2018 / 2019 Estimated Fiscal Year Visits for Indiana State Parks ~ Alphabetical" (PDF). Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  2. John Fleshman. "Old ammo plant cleaned up for new use". United States Army Corps of Engineers. Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved April 2, 2007.
  3. David Mann. "Boat ramp construction begins near Charlestown". The Evening News and The Tribune. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2007.
  4. "Historic Bridge to be Dedicated - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick". Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  5. State leaders sure Charlestown State Park will see improvements "State leaders sure Charlestown State Park will see improvements » Clark County » News and Tribune". Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2007.
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