October 15, 2026
First stop: McCormick State Park. The gate attendant said, “It’s a pretty little park, but the campground is closed due to a tornado in 2023.” It is indeed a pretty park. We visited the Inn which was built in the early 1900’s as a sanitorium. This property was the first state park in Indiana. The Inn has been updated multiple times but has certainly kept it’s charm:
We may stay here on our way back home…
We went for a walk to see the “pretty little park” and observe how the tornado recovery is going. Pretty is an understatement!!
The fallen trees created quite the mushroom display.
We hadn’t planned to stop at Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, but it was only 3 miles out of the way. Sometimes the spontaneous choice is the best!
The covered bridge is a nice bonus.
Next up: Racoon Lake State Recreation Area which is around a really big lake. We didn’t take many pictures or stay very long because a storm was coming in.
We arrived at Turkey Run State Park just as the rain started. A quick look at the Inn and then on to see the hiking areas which are on the other side of a suspension bridge:
Oh my goodness! What a place. It was so cool, Ted insisted I call my sister to facetime with her while we walked the gorge:
It was amazing and we got thoroughly soaked even with an umbrella!
The rain stopped as we drove across the state line into Illinois. We made one last stop at Kickapoo State Park. (So this one isn’t an Indiana State Park, right?) This area was evidently originally a gravel pit area. There are dozens of lakes. A kayakers heaven:
What a beautiful part of the country. I really love the Midwest!
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