Parke County is perhaps best known for The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, Indiana’s Largest Festival. This year’s dates are October 14-23, but there’s plenty to do on the waters that flow beneath those covered bridges between now and then.
How about a day of kayaking, canoeing or tubing down Sugar Creek, which indigenous Piankeshaws called Pun-go-se-co-ne or “water of many sugar trees”? Sugar Valley Canoes or Turkey Run Camping & Canoes will set you up for trips of various lengths, depending upon your ability and how long you’d like to stay out.
Start with a one-hour tubing trip or sign up for kayak or canoe excursions that go through Turkey Run State Park or Shades State Park—or both. You’ll paddle along secluded sections of Sugar Creek and pass under covered bridges and a suspension bridge during tours that cover 3, 6, 10, 12 or 15 miles. Can’t get enough? They can also plan for your outing to include camping overnight.
Along the way stop for a rest at one of the many sandbars. While you’re there, look for fossils, crinoids, rocks, and beads left behind by Native Americans.
The Raccoon State Recreation Area is surrounded by the Cecil M. Harden Lake (also known as Raccoon Lake), where the fishing is good and five launch ramps get your boat out onto the water as soon as you arrive. Here your outfitter will be Raccoon Lake Boat Rental. They’ll supply you with ski boats, pontoons, WaveRunners, tubes, and boards as well as skis, wakeboards, and whatever else you need to make your time here fun. Back on land, eight miles of hiking trails and dramatic rock outcroppings are definitely worth staying on for a little longer, and 300 camping sites are available if you want to go back out tomorrow.
For a quieter experience, head over to Rockville Lake Park. The bass, crappie, catfish, and redear are plentiful in the 102- acre lake, and only trolling motors are allowed. Cast your line and then drift as you enjoy the scenery and watch for the nesting bald eagles that occasionally come out to do a little fishing for themselves. A wheelchair-accessible pier makes it possible for everyone to take part in the activities. Also here are camping facilities, disc golf, playgrounds and swimming.
The spectacular Wabash River is also accessible from Parke County by way of the boat launches in Montezuma and Lodi. Once you’re on the water you’ll float under an old 100 iron railroad bridge at Montezuma that has been converted to a walking path. Beyond that a relaxing paddle through the river’s gentle bends will provide opportunities to spot turtles, great blue herons and flying Asian carp.
Montezuma was the main port for the Wabash and Erie Canal in Parke County between 1850 and 1860 and before that a trading post for the indigenous Miami people. The earth here yields five types of clay, and after the Chicago fire of 1871 much of that city was rebuilt from locally made bricks transported by train.
If you’re up for paddling 12 miles, you’ll float under a massive iron railroad trestle, still in use, before arriving at Clinton in Vermillion County. Boat ramps here make it easy to pull out your watercraft and call it a day.
For more information visit the Visitors’ Center in Rockville two blocks east of the Parke County Courthouse, go online at coveredbridges.com, or call 765-569-5226 for a FREE Covered Bridge Map and visitor information.
