Shades State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shades State Park |
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Deer Mill Covered Bridge
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| Type | State park |
| Location | Parke County, Montgomery County, and Fountain County, Indiana, United States |
| Nearest city | Alamo, Indiana |
| Area | 3,082 acres (1,247 ha) |
| Created | 1947 |
| Operated by | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
Shades State Park is a beautiful state park located in Montgomery, Parke, and Fountain Counties in Indiana. It is about 47 miles (76 km) west of Indianapolis, Indiana. This park is a great place to explore nature and enjoy outdoor activities.
Contents
Park History: From Resort to Nature Preserve
Shades State Park has a long and interesting past. In the late 1800s, this area was a popular vacation spot. It even had a large inn with forty rooms for visitors.
In the 1930s, a man named Joseph Frisz bought much of this land. He wanted to protect its natural beauty. In 1947, his family sold the land to a group called "Save the Shades." This group then gave the land to the state of Indiana. That's how Shades State Park became Indiana's 15th state park!
The park was once known by a mysterious name: "Shades of Death." People aren't entirely sure why it got this name. Some believe it was because the tall trees cast such deep shadows. These shadows made the forest look dark and mysterious. Other stories suggest it was named after a settler's death, but the exact reasons are still debated.
Amazing Natural Features
Shades State Park is famous for its stunning natural features. You'll find steep sandstone cliffs here. These cliffs were formed millions of years ago when Indiana was covered by an ancient ocean. If you look closely on the sandbars, you might even spot some fossils!
Sugar Creek: A Watery Adventure
Sugar Creek flows right through the park. While it's not safe for swimming, it's a fantastic place for canoeing. You can rent a canoe and paddle along the scenic creek.
Sugar Creek also connects Shades State Park to Turkey Run State Park. Turkey Run is only about 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest. Both parks share similar amazing features. These include deep ravines, valleys made of slate and sandstone, and small waterfalls.
Silver Cascade and Lover's Leap
One special waterfall in the park is called Silver Cascade. It's a small waterfall, but it's unique because of its curved shape. For an amazing view of Silver Cascade and Sugar Creek, visit Lover's Leap. This is a small viewing platform built out over a cliff. It offers breathtaking sights!
Roscoe Turner Flight Strip
Shades State Park has a very unusual feature: a small airfield! It's called Roscoe Turner Flight Strip. In the past, visitors could actually land their planes here and then explore the park. The airfield is 3,000 feet (910 m) long and 120 feet (37 m) wide. No other state park in Indiana has an airfield like this! The airfield is currently closed, and it's not known if it will open again.
Pine Hills Nature Preserve
| Pine Hills Natural Area | |
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| Designated: | 1968 |
Inside the eastern part of Shades State Park, you'll find the 470-acre (190 ha) Pine Hills Nature Preserve. This special area protects deep canyons. These canyons were carved by Indian Creek before it flows into Sugar Creek.
The most famous spot in the preserve is the "Devils Backbone." This is a 100-foot-high stone ridge. It's so narrow that the hiking trail barely fits across it! Pine Hills Nature Preserve was the very first dedicated nature preserve in Indiana. It was named a National Natural Landmark in 1968.
Gallery
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Limestone rock formations in Shades State Park
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Canoe Island in Sugar Creek, as seen from Inspiration Point in Shades State Park
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Indian Creek during winter, as seen from Devil's Backbone in Pine Hills Nature Preserve
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Honeycomb Rock, a rock formation in Pine Hills Nature Preserve
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Pine Hills Nature Preserve
Images for kids
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Map of the local area around Shades State Park
