A Visit to Shades State Park
Shades State Park lies in west central Indiana along Sugar Creek, outside of Crawfordsville, Indiana. It includes 2,200 acres of land that is believed to have once been inhabited by the Piankeshaw Indians, a Miami Tribe, and was later home to a mineral springs resort.Today the park offers camping and hiking, about 10 miles of it total, for those who simply love the ravines and wooded area it contains. Learn a bit more about Shades and take a look at the area through the pictures and video on this page.
This Lens is Dedicated to My Father, Thelbert, Who Passed Along His Love of Nature to All of His Children
The Trails
Many of the trails at Shades State Park, like others in the area, make use of ravine streambeds. It makes for some interesting hiking among rocky cliffs, ferns, moss, and trees towering above, but can also be a bit rugged at times. These trails include rocky footing, ladders in some cases, and significant ascents and descents for those who aren't accustomed to hiking very much. During periods of high water such trails can't be used at all.Trails 8, 7, 4, and 5 all run down to Sugar Creek and loop back toward higher ground through the various ravines and small canyons. These trails are loop trails which are around three quarters of a mile long. (Trail 8 actually connects to trail 7 to make the return trip.) Many of the pictures on this page are taken in the Kickapoo and Frisz ravines, along trails 7 and 4.
When along the banks of Sugar Creek, you'll often see kayaks and canoes which can be rented in the surrounding area. In fact, there is a public canoe launch just northeast of the park, along highway 234 near an old covered bridge.
The easiest hiking at Shades State Park is along trial 9 (.5 miles) and 10 (1.5 miles) which don't use the stream beds at all. Trail 10 will take you to the east boundary of the park where the Pine Hills Nature Preserve is located. The preserve is not part of the park but offers more moderate hiking. Within the preserve, there are a few interesting sights including Indian Creek with it's rock bed and the honeycombed cliffs surrounding it. I've included a handful of photos from the nature preserve below which show the creek bed as well as a view from Turkey Backbone above the creek. Most of the hiking is moderate although there are a number of steps to climb.Still within the park however, Trail 6 is another short (.5 mile) and easy hike. For those wanting a little more distance, there is a 2.5 mile back pack trail which is still a fairly easy walk. Trail 1 (.75 miles) can also be a moderate hike which gives you a couple of opportunities to look out across Sugar Creek; a photo from Prospect point is included below. However, if hikers choose to take the Trail 1 spur down to Silver Cascade Falls, the ascent and descent is quite steep, although stairs are provided. Cascade Falls doesn't carry a large volume of water most of the year but is still a nice view. I've included a photo below.
Trail 2 is 1.25 miles long and is one the most rugged trails in the park. It will take you through Pearl Ravine and give you a view of Maidenhair Falls. The hikes through the ravines are easiest in the mid to late summer and autumn when there is generally less moisture. However, fallen leaves can add to the "slipperiness" although mud is less of a problem. During the warmer months, these hikes can also be a good choice however, due to the lower temperatures in the area.There is no lodging (inn or cabins) or restaurant at Shades State Park. There are however campgrounds and picnic areas. For a map of the trails and other areas of the park see this page. On most days, Shades is a lightly traveled park and encountering a crowd is most likely to happen in the autumn.
Find Shades State Park
An Autumn View of Shades
Shades State Park Through the Eyes of Flickr Photographers
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Hiking Poles
Hammers HP5 Anti-Shock Hiking Pole with Compass & Thermometer
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Kaito BT409 Anti-Shock Hiking Pole with 9-LED Flashlight
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Hammers HP1 Anti-Shock Hiking Pole with Compass & Thermometer
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Hammers HP9 Anti-shock Hiking Pole with Compass & Thermometer
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 11/28/2009)
Collapsible Aluminum Shock-Absorbing Hiking Pole - Walking Stick with Camera Mono-Pod (Colors may vary)
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Books on Hiking
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Cherish and Save Your Memories of Shades State Park
- Postcard of Trail Greenery at Shades
- A postcard featuring one of the small trails leading up from Sugar Creek with a glorious view of the multi-green canopy.
- Shades Trail Blank Note Card
- This note card features a small trail leading up from Sugar Creek which surrounds you with the flora of the area in the spring time.
- Shades View Mousepad
- This mousepad features a spring time scene on the trail at Shades State Park.
- Shades State Park Postage Stamp
- Get US postage stamps with a view of a lush multi-green gorge.
More Images of Shades State Park on Flickr
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Let Us Know You Stopped By!
If you've visited Shades, let us know what you think.
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- susannaduffy susannaduffy Oct 20, 2009 @ 6:54 am
- I really enjoy reading about hiking trails. Lovely images and an interesting read
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- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Jul 28, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
- Another great hiking local.
Thanks for sharing
Lizzy
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Jul 27, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
- You've been blessed by a Squid Angel, and this lens was included in Another Day of One Hundred Squid Angel Blessings.
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- burntchestnut burntchestnut Jul 15, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
- I've never been to Indiana - just through it. Shades State Park sounds peaceful (I don't like crowds).
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- WindyWinters WindyWinters Jul 3, 2009 @ 2:37 am
- What a great place for a hike. Enjoyed the visit to Shades State Park. It's so green! :)
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- fanfreluche fanfreluche Jun 26, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
- Looks like a great hiking place! I love hiking, but never had a chance to visit US Parks yet.
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- Mac33 Mac33 Jun 14, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
- Beautiful scenery. I've never been to Indiana and for some reason I always pictured it as all cornfields...glad to know I was wrong.
by mulberry
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