Harrison County: History, Caves and Nature Trails

In Harrison County, traces of early Indiana history meet caves, rivers and trails through woodland and parkland. Corydon represents Indiana’s political history as the site of its first state capitol; caves, a long-established mill and a multi-day loop trail offer other highlights.

Memorial Sites and Early State History

The Battle of Corydon Memorial Park commemorates the battle of July 9, 1863. At the time, General John Hunt Morgan’s 2,440-strong Confederate cavalry division overwhelmed the Harrison County Home Guard. The park includes a restored log cabin, and an easy, unpaved trail leads through the woods. At the Harrison County Discovery Center, the battle is presented in a multimedia 360-degree display.

Corydon was Indiana’s first state capitol. The original capitol building was constructed between 1814 and 1816 and served as the state capitol from 1816 to 1825. The Constitution Elm marks the spot where delegates drafted the state constitution beneath its spreading branches in 1816. Another historic building is Governor Hendricks’ Headquarters, a two-story Federal-style brick house dating from 1817.

Tours of Governor Hendricks’ Headquarters are part of the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site. If you plan to take a tour, check current visiting hours in advance. Corydon also offers a free, self-guided walking tour. The Harrison County Popcorn Festival is a county tradition, featuring a parade, live music, vendor booths and food. A free visitor guide for Harrison County, with discount offers, is also available.

Caves, Water and Craftsmanship

Indiana Caverns offers a 25-minute boat ride on an underground river. At Squire Boone Caverns, visitors can access travertine pools over which thousands of gallons of water flow each day. Boone’s Mill at Squire Boone Caverns still grinds grain using water flowing out of the caves, just as it did two centuries ago. The cave experience thus ranges from an underground watercourse to a mill that uses its water.

River Landscapes and Trails

The Blue River forms most of Harrison County’s western boundary and serves as a recreational area for residents and visitors. O’Bannon Woods State Park borders the Ohio River. It features a restored, working hay press barn and a pioneer farm. At Hayswood Nature Reserve, a trail follows Indian Creek and eventually crosses it. The reserve also has an easy, paved, accessible walking path with a gentle grade.

For a longer hike, the Adventure Trail offers an approximately 25-mile loop through Harrison-Crawford State Forest and O’Bannon Woods State Park. The trail takes about three days to complete. Along the trail are four shelters and two basic campsites. The shelters are available exclusively to hikers on this trail on a first-come, first-served basis. Check how they are allocated before setting out.

The Rocky Ridge Bike and Hike Trail in O’Bannon Woods State Park is a 2-mile loop near campsite 35. It passes through deep ravines and along scenic rocky slopes. Buffalo Trace Park offers another natural setting: its 30-acre lake is open for swimming, boating and fishing. The park also has an easy, paved, well-lit, accessible walking path.

Recreation and Planning Your Time

Rhoads Pool is an outdoor swimming pool with a 25-yard pool length and six lanes; it has offered summer recreation for more than 40 years. The time estimates for two other activities illustrate different planning needs: the underground river boat ride takes 25 minutes, while the Adventure Trail takes about three days. This makes for two clearly distinct options: a single cave experience and a multi-day hike.

Discover more destinations: Corydon, Montgomery County, Fulton County, Pike, Jennings County, Kosciusko County, Knox County, Parke.

Return to the main travel overview: Indiana.