Even though the silver lining is beginning to take over and things, like restaurants and bars, are starting to open back up to the public, I’ve been experiencing a different kind of cabin fever; one that can only be cured with camping. Yes, I’ve been having camping withdraws for a while now, and I haven’t been happier to hear campgrounds are finally starting to welcome guests as well! Weather was not permitting this week for an overnight adventure (at least that’s what the radar said), so Anthony and I opted to just go somewhere we haven’t been for an afternoon of hiking, and we would determine whether we would want to come back and camp next time. Our destination of choice this week: Clifty Falls State Park, located in Madison, Indiana, just on our side of the Indiana/Kentucky boarder.
Anthony suggested Clifty Falls for a couple of reasons: I had never been, it had been years since he had been, and it was only a two-hour drive there, so it was doable in a single day. When we arrived, we were greeted by a ranger, paid $7 (price per car), and made our game plan, which focused on the “very rugged” trails. We parked, got our sunscreen and bug spray applied, and headed off into the woods.
The trails were lush with a lot to discover. At the very beginning of our hike, a bright red bird landed in the path just ten feet away from us. This bird, the Scarlet Tanager, was recently featured on the Indy Parks and Recreation Instagram. “You can usually see these birds for just a little while in May. They are long distance migrators, spending summer in eastern North America and winter in South America.” Anthony tried to snap a quick picture before it flew away, and even if it isn’t the best pic, we still got to see a really striking and rare bird just feet away from us!
This park isn’t lying when it lists certain routes as “very rugged”. We were sweating the whole time. Part of the trails we decided on were partially on Hoffman Creek and Clifty Creek, which entailed a lot of rock jumping and getting our feet soaked. We didn’t mind either way; it’s all part of the experience. At one point, I almost slid down a muddy hill, but I was saved by a helpful tree root, and was able to pull myself back up onto the trail. We were muddy and wet and sweaty, and we loved every second of it.
The state park has a handful of attractions that make the park unique. Tunnel Falls and the Railroad Tunnel are two of these sights. The Railroad Tunnel, a man-made structure built in 1852, was planned to be part of the alternative railroad route. It now is a home for bats, a good photo-op, and a great resting spot for hikers. Just a short walk from the tunnel is Tunnel Falls, one of the four waterfalls that call Clifty Falls home. This one stands at 83 feet. Clifty Falls and Little Clifty Falls are the most visited landmarks of the park. Both waterfalls were beautiful, but we definitely had to experiment and stretch in an attempt to get a good look at them. Next to the namesake of the park is a structure named Cake Rock. And yes, it’s a giant rock that looks like a giant slice of cake.
Overall, this park was an unforgettable experience. The sights, the wildlife, the challenge, and the adventure in general were all fantastic. When I plugged in a random Tuesday night in June to see the rate of a campsite, I was told it was $23 a night with a slight possibility of a change depending on the demand for campsites. That’s definitely not a bad price for a few-nights camping getaway! If you are interested in other events hosted by the park, there is a list on their official DNR website with dates and prices as well. Anthony and I are already trying to plan a trip back to this gorgeous park, and we’re doing it as soon as possible.