Harrison-Crawford Back Country Recreation

Sailing on Blue River Old State Capital at Corydon

Squire Boone Caverns View of Ohio River

Corydon - to - Mauckport and Brandenburg -to Squire Boone Caverns - to -O'Bannon State Park-to-Wyandootte Cave-to-Leavenworth-to Hemlock Cliffs - (or) - to Marengo Cave -to- Milltown's Cave Country Canoes - back to Corydon.

This Back Country Travel Destination is loaded with options from family oriented walking trips to rugged outdoor activities aimed at those that need a challenge. Allow several days to a week at minimum to take advantage of all the beautiful sights and engaging activities. There really is something for everyone in southern Indiana.

Recreation: Historical Driving/Walking Tour of Corydon Historic Sites; Restaurants and Gift Shops at Corydon; White Water Rafting at Corydon; Driving/Sight Seeing Ohio River Area; Cave Tour; Camping; Horse Back Riding; Mountain Biking; Hiking; Historic Drive; Hiking; General Store (Leavenworth) History; Canoeing;Backpacking; ATV Riding; Rugged Hiking in some areas; Spelunking on special tours of Wyandotte and Marengo Caves; Boating on the Ohio; Rock Climbing and Repelling

To Corydon and Beyond: From Indianapolis south on I-65 it is about 2.5 hours to Corydon. There you can grab a hotel room and make it your home base for a wide variety of outdoor and recreational activities. Corydon was the first state capital of Indiana until it was moved to Indianapolis. The downtown area is where you can start this tour by drinking in the local history. The Old Capital Building, built of area limestone, is now a state historical site and was the Indiana capital from 1813-1825. Near the capital is a marker which commemorates the raid on Corydon by John Hunt Morgan in 1863 during the Civil War. There are several other historical structures located within walking distance as well as shops and restaurants and the Kintner House Bed and Breakfast, another historical building. Much of the deliberations of creating Indiana's state government were conducted under a large Elm tree which died in 1925 from Dutch Elm Disease. There is a sandstone memorial protecting the remaining trunk of the tree which once stood five feet across with branches spreading out 132'. -- White Water Rafting-Kayaking or Canoeing - Little Indian Creek at Corydon's Country Club 1.5 miles downriver to the County Fairgrounds. Rated as a Class I (III) Section by American Whitewater

African American School -Just a few blocks away is the first African-American School built in 1891. It was first called the "Corydon Colored School," it is now known as the Leora Brown School and was renovated in 1993 to be used for cultural and social activities. One of the most uplifting accounts of our African American population involved the migration of about 100 individuals who came into Harrison County, Indiana Territory about 1814-1815 with an elderly white couple, Paul and Susannah Mitchem, to be freed from enslavement. Their deeds of emancipation are recorded in some of Harrison County's oldest deed record books.

Battle Park - 2 miles south of Corydon-where the "Battle of Corydon" happened in 1863 when the Confederate Colonel John Hunt Morgan came across the Ohio River against the orders of the confederate general. He led 2,400 Confederate soldiers across the Ohio to distract the Union Army in Ohio from efforts against Confederate troops in Tennessee. He met resistance from 450 Harrison County Home Guard. They seized two steamers on the Brandenburg side of the Riverto transport troops across the river to the shore east of Maukport. Morgan managed to easily defeat the guard and proceeded into Corydon collecting the spoils of war and collecting ransom for prisoners they had taken. Morgan left Corydon and continued on his 46 day, 1,000 mile raid into Ohio and ended with his capture in July of 1863 at New Lisbon.

Maukport and Brandenburg were originally laid out close the shores of the Ohio. Due massive flooding and tornado damage in the 20th century, the majority of the buildings have been raised and only foundations remain of the former structures. Brandenburg was rebuilt high above the water but if you travel to the old site there are ghostly reminders of the recent past. There is also a boat landing here.

Squire Boone Caverns is about a ten mile journey from Corydon. Squire Boone was the brother to the more infamous, Daniel Boone. It is said that they discovered the caverns in 1790. Squire apparently hid in the caverns to escape a Shawnee Indian war party. Squire Boone brought his family to live nearby. He acquired the land where the cave is located and carved stone out of a nearby hill to build his home and carved various political and religous statements onto the quarry walls that remain there tody. He wanted to be buried in the caverns that he discovered. His remains were put into the cave upon his death in 1815. The cave is filled with amazing formations and underground rivers and waterfalls. The cave is well lit for hiking on guided tours. There is a pioneer village, gift shops, a working grist mill and special tours for everyone. Squire Boone caverns also has a hiking trail and educational programs for students and scout troops.

Wyandotte Cave -For a more rugged adventure in cave exploration, Wyandotte Cave, located 12.5 miles west of Corydon provides several tours for both the beginner and for those that want a spelunking adventure. Wyandotte Caves were used by pre-historic Indians. Evidence of native occupation comes in the form of the remains of bark torches, footprints and plant fiber moccasins. Flint that is found inside was also used by the Indians extensively for knives, ceremonial items, arrows, spears, hide scrapers and drill bits.
O'Bannon State Park -To camp overnight and enjoy more wildlife and hiking, Indiana's newest state park--3,000 acre -O'Bannon State Park, located in the middle of the 24,000-acre Harrison-Crawford Forest (formerly called: Wyandotte Woods) offers 281 Electric hook-ups; 47 Horseman non-electric camp sites and 25 primitive camp sites. They have horse back riding, fishing and swimming in the new aquatic center. There is a boat landing on the Ohio and plenty of mountain bike trails in rugged terrain. Hiking down dry creek beds offers up some fascinating views of rock formations and is also a great place to find Harrison County Flint. The park is home to the famous, "Adventure Hiking Trail." This 27-mile hike is about two or three days of moderate and rugged terrain with karst outcroppings, extraordinary bluffs and vistas as well as views of some unique plants.

Whitewater Rafting, Canoeing or Kayaking- Potato Run - Harrison-Crawford Forest Horse Camp Put In-to -Mouth of the Ohio River. Class I-II (III) Easy to difficult according to American Whitewater. The sections for whitewater rafting and canoeing are less demanding and less difficult than in other states, so keep that in mind when comparing water. This section is 2 miles long and very scenic.
ATV's are allowed on some county roads in the Hoosier Hills National Forest if registered street legal. Contact the DNR for more information before attempting to ride in the forest.

Leavenworth -After leaving O'Bannon State Park, just five miles further west on SR62 is a little village of Leavenworth. Old Leavenworth is down on the river and again you will see some ghostly remains of a town that once stood alongside the great Ohio. There is still a tavern operating and periodically this area floods during high water periods. There is a a boat launch here as well. Big Springs Harbor, located down on Court Street has camping, boat rental facilities, a floating banquet hall and a Days Inn fo those that need a break from "roughing it." Travel back up to the highway and on into the town built high above the water. Stop in at the Leavenworth General Store called Stephenson's. It has everything from an antique shop, museum, snack shop, deli, and some unique items found nowhere else. It is a must see shopping experience. If you want to know something about the region, visitors need to check Stephenson's out. Just past the village you will see breathtaking views of the Ohio and a unique place to stay on the river is the Leavenworth Bed and Breakfast. This turn of the century renovated home sits on six acres overlooking a huge bend in the Ohio and winter or summer, the views are spectacular. Across the highway is the Overlook Restaurant which teeters on the edge of the bluff of the bend.

Hemlock Cliffs -For those that want to do some rock climbing and extreme hiking and see some really gorgeous cliffs and falls, a side trip north to Hemlock Cliffs is worth the drive. From Leavenworth it is about a 17 mile trip west on SR 62 and north on SR 37 to CR 8 or Union Chapel Road. Turn left and left again onto CR 13 Hatfield Road into the National Forest Road. There are rock outcroppings, ravines and dry stream beds to hike. Archaeological investigations indicate Native American occupation as far back as 10,000 years ago especially under a huge rock shelter at the head of the canyon. There are two areas that are off limits to rock climbing and repelling. Respect any postings that are listed about restrictions. Bring your own water and do not try to filter the stream water due to Hemlock trees growing in the area which release a poisonous chemical into the creeks. There is very primitive camping (backpacking) down in the canyon if you stay well back off the trails. Others prefer to camp in the parking lot area. Again this is a very delicate area and be respectful of the terrain and the danger when attempting to climb.

Marengo Cave- From Leavenworth head north on SR 66 and follow the signs to Marengo Cave which will be celebrating its 125th anniversary September 6, 2008. Marengo Cave is a US National Landmark that features walking tours to adventure tours. The formations are spectacular and include flowstone, stalctites, stalagmites, soda straws, cave popcorn and rimstone dams. They also offer cabin camping, gift shop, cafe. gemstone mining, a cave simulator, playgrounds and picnic areas. They offer special packages for groups and reservations are welcome.

Cave Country Canoes at Milltown- From Marengo take SR 64 East 5 miles to Milltown and to the livery. Here you can buy your own canoe or kayak or take one of several canoe trips down the river. Enjoy the wildlife along the way and camp on the shore.