Charlestown State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlestown State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Charlestown State Park
Location in Indiana
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| Location | Clark County, Indiana, USA |
| Nearest city | Charlestown, Indiana |
| Area | 5,100 acres (21 km2) |
| Established | October 12, 1996 |
| Visitors | 131,761 (in 2008-2009) |
| Governing body | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
Charlestown State Park is a large and beautiful state park in Indiana, USA. It covers about 5,100 acres (21 square kilometers) in Clark County. The park is located right next to the Ohio River, just a short distance east of Charlestown.
This park used to be part of a big military area called the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant. Over time, different parts of this land were given to the state of Indiana. In 1993, the state received 859 acres, and in 1994, another 1,125 acres were added. When the park first opened in 1996, it was 2,400 acres. Then, in 2004, another 2,600 acres were given to the park. This made Charlestown State Park 5,100 acres in total, making it the third largest state park in Indiana! Lots of people visit the park every year, with about 131,000 visitors.
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What Makes Charlestown State Park Special?
Charlestown State Park has many cool things to see and do. One of its main attractions is the amazing trails that look out over Fourteen Mile Creek. This creek is special because it's one of the oldest stream valleys in Indiana that wasn't changed by glaciers.
The Devil's Backbone
Where Fourteen Mile Creek meets the Ohio River, there's a unique rock ridge called the Devil's Backbone. There's an old story that says this rock formation is part of an ancient stone fort. The legend says Welsh explorers built it way back in the 12th century! While it's a fun story, there's no real proof it's true. You can't usually go to the Backbone on your own, but park staff sometimes offer special tours during the winter.
Hiking and Camping Adventures
The park has more than 14 miles (22 kilometers) of hiking trails. These trails offer fantastic views of the Ohio River, Fourteen Mile Creek, and the surrounding nature. If you love camping, Charlestown State Park has a big campground with 192 sites. Some of these even have "Full Hook up" for RVs, which means they have water, electricity, and sewer connections.
Nature and Wildlife
You can find ancient Devonian fossils in the park, which are like clues from Earth's past! There are also cool karst sinkholes, which are natural holes in the ground. The park is home to many different kinds of birds, with 72 species recorded. Keep an eye out for beautiful bluebirds, soaring black vultures, and even majestic bald eagles!
Park Improvements and Discoveries
In 2006, the park planned to make some big improvements, like building a new boat ramp. But during construction, workers found something amazing! They discovered an ancient Native American cooking area that was about 4,000 years old (dating back to 2,000 B.C.). They found old firepits and stone slabs that were used to crack nuts. They also found a special type of rock called Laurel chert, which was used to make stone tools.
Because of this important discovery, work on the improvements had to pause while archaeologists studied the site. Once the studies were finished, construction started again in September 2006. The new five-lane boat ramp and a walking trail along the river finally opened in June 2007.
In 2011, a historic bridge called the Portersville Bridge was moved and rebuilt in the park. It now crosses the creek and connects to Rose Island, making it easier to explore this area. Park staff often lead guided tours of Rose Island, so you can learn all about it!
What's Next for the Park?
There are still some old railroad tracks and private houses within the park's boundaries. The state government is still deciding what to do with these areas. However, there are exciting plans for the future of Charlestown State Park! These include adding even more hiking trails and new trails for mountain biking. The campground will also get some upgrades, and the park plans to build a Nature Center and cabins for visitors to stay in.
Gallery
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Park office
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Distant view of river landing
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River landing
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Remains of the area's time as part of the IAAP still exist all over the property
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Road leading to the river landing
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Start of Trail 3, using remains of the road to Rose Island
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Trail 3 leading from the Rose Island section, where the ruggedness start
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Waterfront along Fourteen Mile Creek
