Reviews

emm dee

I came for the hiking challenge and ended up taking a trip down Memory Lane. Brought the kids here many years ago and they remember the boat ride into the cave, seeing the blind fish, and one developed her love for bats here. I enjoyed all the trails despite the heat, took a run of great photos (many I'll save for my attempt at watercolors this winter when the snow is flying), strike through The Village once again, and had a peaceful respite at the campground with the squirrels and butterflies. Lunch at the hotel was very nice too. --- Update mid October: fall colors are lovely, water level is very low so adventurous persons were able to explore one Twin Cave (boat rides for the other are closed for the season). The campground was packed for Fall Break and fun to see the huge variety of seasonal decor up. Donaldson Cave was a blast to revisit with more children in tow; it never gets old exploring!

Alvin Lan

Spring Mill State Park: A Decent Indiana Day Trip ​Spring Mill State Park, located near Mitchell, Indiana, offers a unique blend of historical and natural attractions, making it a perfectly decent local destination—but perhaps not a must-visit for out-of-state travelers. ​The strongest point of the park is undoubtedly the Pioneer Village. The restored 1830s village is genuinely captivating, featuring the iconic limestone grist mill and period interpreters that effectively transport visitors back in time. Coupled with the surrounding karst landscape, the park offers some nice caves (like the ones accessible by guided boat tour or trailside views) and a network of decent hiking trails that are well-kept and provide solid opportunities to explore the beautiful woods and sinkholes. The entire property is generally decently maintained. ​However, the overall experience falls slightly flat when compared to other regional options. As a first-time visitor, I wasn't entirely impressed, especially when considering the differential pricing structure. While the $7 entrance fee for in-state vehicles is reasonable, the $9 fee for out-of-state license plates feels disproportionate for what is offered. Frankly, you can find parks of greater scale and variety, often at a cheaper price point, in other Midwestern states. ​In summary: Spring Mill is not bad for Indiana, offering a worthwhile escape and a superb historical element. If you're a Hoosier looking for a solid day trip close to home, it’s worth the visit. But if you’re traveling from afar, the higher fee combined with the park's limited scope might leave you, like me, slightly underwhelmed.

fusoshots

This place is very well setup and beautiful scenery. The village is a very interesting place for kids to learn how the old timers did things. The caves are AMAZING. Very easy hikes and friendly people. Restrooms are easy to find and very clean. If you go to the village get some cornmeal.

Carla Zapata

This place is definitely worth visiting again! We came with our camper for a weekend and had an absolute blast with our two young daughters. From hiking, to swimming at the pool, and exploring the caves! Donaldson Cave is accessible by lots of stairs and it’s muddy and slippery which added to all the fun! Twin Cave boat tour is a must see, adding to the cave adventure with a friendly tour of about 20-30 mins, $3/person. Pilgrim Village is super charming, quaint and just a family friendly environment with a leather, blacksmith, apothecary, school, etc buildings. Gives a real life taste of how it may have been back in the day! We got to also see the mill work, live and in person! The workers were so friendly and attentive.

RJ Conner

Wonderful State Park to visit! We really enjoyed the Spring Mill Inn where we ate lunch. I tried the peanut butter burger and it was delicious! The facilities were amazing! We went to the lower level floor and found the game area. You can play the piano, watch TV, play pool, chess, play board games, play in the indoor or outdoor splash pads! There was just so much to do! Also we visited the pioneer village and it was nice and full of history! Next time, we will visit the caves!

Isaac Hirschy

Absolutely one of the best state parks in the state. Huge cave that is a lot of fun to explore. The village has staff working in the mill, leather shop, and more to offer a unique experience.

Erin Hartman

Visiting the Hamer Cemetery at Spring Mill State Park was a quiet and meaningful experience. Tucked within the scenic beauty of the park and close to the Pioneer Village, the cemetery offers a touching glimpse into Indiana’s early settler history. The gravestones, some dating back to the early 1800s, are weathered but respectfully preserved, and it’s fascinating to see how much history is tucked into this small area. Knowing that members of the Hamer family and even unidentified workers from the railroad era are laid to rest here added depth to the visit. It’s humbling to think about the lives that once shaped the area. The setting is peaceful and serene, surrounded by trees and nature, which makes it a reflective and educational stop during a hike or tour of the village. Highly recommend for anyone interested in local history or who simply wants to slow down and appreciate the deeper stories behind this beautiful state park.

Robyn Roller

This was by far my favorite place to camp! Very nice campgrounds (if you have a camper check the grade first some are steeper and some more flat) and a beautiful place to visit is Pioneer Village located in Spring Mill State Park. (Sidewalks are nice allowing for ease with strollers) Give yourself at least an hour if not more to walk the park and go through the historic sites- and there’s a gift store too where you can purchase several homemade items- prices are lower than most typical gift shops

Linda Thompson

The staff was great. Lisa made sure we got a room with a view (first one was a roof). The park staff was great too got us directions to see things in the park. The Inn has just been refurbished and it was beautiful.

Chris L

The park is beautiful! Late April was not a busy time. The Pioneer Village is staffed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, no demonstrations Monday thru Thursday thanks to Trump. Plenty to see and there are trails that range in different ruggedness and distances. There is a newly renovated Inn and they have camp sites