Trails 3 and 4, Charlestown State Park, Indiana - Hiking and walking trailheads on Waymarking.com

Okay, so the administration of Charlestown State Park in Indiana doesn't have much imagination when it comes to naming their trails. The park currently has six different loop trails, and they are named... #1 through #6. But what they lack in imagination they make up for in good trail management. The trails are well-maintained and well-marked, and they lead the hiker through forests with wildflowers, rock outcroppings, and scenic views of Fourteen Mile Creek (which they may call a creek if they want to but it's the biggest "creek" I've ever seen). I was here on a brilliantly sunny day in August and at times the canopy was so dense I almost needed a flashlight.

Both Trail #3 and Trail #4 leave from the same spot, and parking is available at the trailhead. To get to the parking area, turn right after entering the park, then follow the road until the signposted road on the left.

The trail guide lists both of these loops as "rugged", and it can be tough as there are some climbs of about 200 feet in elevation. The guide describes each trail as follows:

Trail #3 - 2.1 miles - Begins in a parking lot constructed prior to the establishment of this state park and follows a gravel service road through an open area before turning and making a very steep descent to Fourteenmile Creek. This portion of the trail follows a road grade which once led to a footbridge over Fourteenmile Creek. The bridge provided access to Rose Island, a turn of the century amusement park. Both the bridge and the Rose Island facilities were destroyed by the 1937 flood. Good areas for stream bank fishing can be reached by following the gravel portion of Trail 3 to Fourteenmile Creek. After making the 250 foot descent into the valley, the trail turns left and following the Fourteenmile Creek valley upstream before turning left again to make the steep ascent back up to the parking lot. The middle section of this trail is very scenic with views of Fourteenmile Creek, rock cliffs high above the trail, abundant spring wildflowers, and mixed deciduous forests which appear today much the same as they did thousands of years ago.

Trail #4 - 2.9 miles - Trail 4 begins at the same parking lot as Trail 3. Beginning on gently rolling land, this trail soon begins to descend into mixed hardwood forests as it follows tributaries of Fourteenmile Creek. At about the halfway point, hikers will see commanding views of Fourteenmile Creek from a bluff over 100 feet above the water. High quality woodlands and striking wildflower displays are found on this trail.

Trailhead/trail website: [Web Link] Trail allowances or restrictions: Dogs (on leash) allowed. No bicycles, ATVs, or other vehicles. No hunting. Trail type: Dirt Parking: Not Listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   05/15/2021 brcross95 visited it 12/27/2009 geoczar1 visited it