Parke: Nature Parks, Covered Bridges and Historic Experiences

Parke County combines impressive landscapes with an unusually rich history of covered bridges. Deep sandstone ravines, old-growth forests, lakes and waterways stand alongside historic mills, villages and event venues.

Ravines, Forests and Waterways

Turkey Run State Park offers hikes through deep sandstone ravines and old-growth forests. At several points, visitors can enjoy views of the scenic Sugar Creek. The park is also home to the Colonel Richard Lieber Cabin, which commemorates the founder of the Indiana State Park System. Those who want to combine nature experiences with a historical detail will therefore find different points of interest for the same day trip.

Shades State Park is likewise characterized by sandstone cliffs, shaded ravines and views of Sugar Creek. The park has some of the darkest skies in Indiana and hosts astronomical observations, including star parties. For a more active hike, a moderate-to-strenuous trail leads from Devil’s Punchbowl through a creek bed in a ravine to the Silver Cascade waterfalls. At Cecil M. Harden Lake, old-growth forests and large rock outcrops line the upper reaches of Big Raccoon Creek. The lake was created by damming the river for flood control.

Experience Covered Bridges and History

Parke County has 31 historic covered bridges and is promoted as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World.” Several structures give this designation a tangible presence: the Narrows Covered Bridge was built in 1882 and stands beside the Lusk Mill site on the east side of Turkey Run State Park. The Beeson Covered Bridge was moved to its current location in 1979, at Billie Creek Village along US 36. The site also includes three covered bridges, a historic schoolhouse, two churches and the home of Governor Albert Wright.

Billie Creek Village offers historic buildings, handmade crafts, locally produced goods at the Billie Creek General Store, traditional craft demonstrations and festival food. In Rockville, the Chautauqua Pavilion is another notable historic site: it was built in 1913 using wooden bridge-building techniques and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Parke County Historical Society was founded on May 12, 1894. Its museum is located in a building that, over the course of its history, was used among other things as a seminary, Civil War arsenal, school for Black children, gas station, restaurant and gift shop.

Mills, Markets and Varied Vacation Days

The Historic Mansfield Roller Mill dates from the 1880s. A water turbine installed in 1886 is still operational; the historic site also demonstrates how grain was milled into flour using steam power. Another mill site is Bridgeton. There, the mill, dam, covered bridge and waterfall form a cohesive ensemble. Bridgeton Mill has been producing fresh, stone-ground flour for more than 150 years. Visitors can watch the operation and sample freshly ground whole-wheat flour. The mill is open daily from April through November.

For an active day, Rockville Lake Park offers nature trails, opportunities for wildlife viewing and an 18-hole disc golf course. Rockville Lake has a 125-foot-long, wheelchair-accessible pier. The Parke County Golf Course in Rockville is a 9-hole course with a par of 35 and measures 3,073 yards from the back tees. On the water, Sugar Valley offers canoe trips through Turkey Run State Park and Shades State Park, passing under two covered bridges and a suspension bridge.

Choose Accommodation to Match Your Travel Plans

When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in Parke, it is worth deciding first which types of excursions you want to prioritize. For hiking, the sandstone ravines and forest trails of Turkey Run and Shades are the main attractions. Those interested in regional history can include the covered bridges, Billie Creek Village, Mansfield and Bridgeton in their plans. In Rockville, festival traditions, shops, galleries and the Historic Ritz Theater add to the options. The theater shows current movies year-round and presents live stage productions.

Seasonal attractions also add to the selection: at the Parke County Maple Fair, pancakes with maple syrup and coarse pork sausage are served all day; maple products, handmade crafts, baked goods, jams and jellies are also available. The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival showcases the county’s 31 historic covered bridges. This makes it possible to choose accommodation according to the desired pace—with days devoted to nature, historic discoveries, regional products or a combination of several interests.

Other Places in Parke County

For further orientation, you can also explore Rockville as well as Vigo, Shelby County, Lawrence, Adams County, St. Joseph, Miami County and Steuben County.

To the main travel overview: Indiana.