Hidden Gem: Pine Hills Nature Preserve

I consider myself well traveled in the state of Indiana. From the Indiana Dunes to the Falls of the Ohio, from Hoosier Hill’s “dizzying” 1,257 feet to the lowlands of Posey County, I thought I’d covered the bases in the Hoosier State. Five minutes into my first hike into Pine Hills Nature Preserve I knew I had missed one of the most remarkable scenic wonders Indiana has to offer.

I’ve been to the popular Shades State Park dozens of times. How could I have missed the equally interesting geographic features of Pine Hills right next door?

For one thing Pine Hills has only been a nature preserve since 1969. While 41 years sounds like a long time, it takes generations of visitation for a park to really become part of people’s collective consciousness. Another factor is the tucked away Pine Hills is overshadowed by the sheer popularity of the nearby Shades and Turkey Run State Parks.

Pine Hills is a quick hike (maybe an hour, possibly two if you really take in the scenery) with breathtaking views around every corner. The big feature of the nature preserve is the Devil’s Backbone. This is the one trail that is somewhat challenging and if you’re scared of heights it could be intimidating.

Overall I rate Pine Hills as one of Indiana’s best-kept secrets and definitely worth a visit. As a bonus there’s also no entry fee, a good thing in these challenging economic times.



The Slide is a steeply banked wall of rock carved out over many thousands of years by the creek below. Check out the pine tree growing on just a thin crust of dirt covering the rock. That’s one thing that constantly amazed me about Pine Hills, trees growing on seemingly next to no topsoil at all.



The Devil’s Backbone seen from below. The unique ridge was formed by two creeks on either side that formed an extremely narrow and steep plateau.

It almost looks man made, but it’s not. Looking out to the Devil’s Backbone. Walking the narrow ledge with 75-100 feet on either side is not for the faint of heart, but the view from the top is worth the effort.

Honeycomb Rock’s scenic overhang with pine trees clinging to the edge. One of the many wonders of Pine Hills Nature Preserve.

One side of the Devil’s Backbone. Note the small pine tree growing on just the smallest of overhangs. You wonder how large that tree will actually get on such a small footing.

Crawfordsville’s Main Street Plaza

The Main Street Plaza in Crawfordsville.

The Plaza in heart of downtown Crawfordsville, Indiana, is a focal point for community activities. On any given day you might hear a band or chamber orchestra playing, see arts on display or a variety of other activities.

Crawfordsville is a wonderfully walkable downtown with attractive buildings, beautiful public spaces, historical landmarks and some nice local restaurants, not to mention the nearby campus of Wabash University.

If you’re looking for a place to spend a day walking and enjoying the flavor of a small town Crawfordsville is a nice choice.

Indiana University’s Colorful Campus

To me one of the most pleasant autumn afternoon walks in the state is taking a stroll around the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington. The beautiful architecture of the buildings, the immaculate maintenance of the grounds, the wonderful color of the trees and the vibrant activity of the campus make a perfect combination. Actually I.U. is a great place to visit anytime of the year, but the colors of autumn put it on the top of my list. It varies, but peak colors in Bloomington usually start in mid-October and run through early November.

Sugar Creek in Winter

In the summertime Sugar Creek in West Central Indiana is filled with rafters, canoeists and kayakers, but in the winter the beautiful creek is has nothing but the occasional duck or ice chunk floating downstream. Here is a winter view of Sugar Creek after a fresh snow.

Medora Brick Plant Ruins

This is a 2004 photo of the old Medora Brick Plant.
This brick plant was built in 1906 with the surrounding hills
of Southern Indiana supplying a ready supply of clay.

This is a 2004 photo of the old Medora Brick Plant. This brick plant was built in 1906 with the surrounding hills of Southern Indiana supplying a ready supply of clay. Road paving with bricks was popular in this era, but when other materials started being used for roads in the 1920s the plant experienced a downturn. The plant changed owners and began producing building bricks. It’s said that many of the buildings at Purdue University, University of Kentucky, and University of Louisville utilize bricks produced here.

Even though looking at these ruins it would seem the plant has been closed for decades, surprisingly it was in production through 1992. I haven’t been to the site for years, but it is decaying fast. Many former employees and their survivors hope that the site will be preserved. The Historic Landmarks Foundation put the brick works on the list of Indiana's 10 Most Endangered sites.

Brown County Colors - Oct. 14, 2010

Still a little early and the drought hasn't helped. The colors are, so far, pretty muted.

Kids in the “Kid’s Cave”

A guide points out formations in Southern Indiana’s Marengo Cave to a couple of young visitors. It’s appropriate that kids enjoy the cave since the cave was discovered by children playing in the woods back in the 1880s. Marengo Cave has been a tourist attraction ever since.