New trail at McCormick’s Creek State Park offers accessible views

Echo Canyon Trail, an addition to McCormick's Creek State Park's trail system, is open for guests to enjoy.

The new trail, which is adjacent to the park's Centennial Shelter, is a short loop with a natural, firm and stable surface, and gradual slopes, allowing guests with limited mobility to enjoy views of Echo Canyon. The loop provides an accessible path along Echo Canyon with two accessible overlooks that feature excellent views of McCormick's Creek Falls. A short branch of the trail, Redbud Connector, connects the loop to Redbud Shelter and the park's Nature Center.

Funding for the project was provided as a part of the legislative appropriation of deferred maintenance dollars for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Additional support came from the Owen County Community Foundation-McCormick's Creek State Park Fund.

"This trail provides a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy the sights and sounds of the canyon at our first state park," said Indiana State Parks director Terry Coleman. "We are grateful for the funding to complete this project and for the work our Indiana State Parks team did with the Indiana Department of Administration and Spectrum Trail Design to make it a reality."

This addition of the Redbud Connector increases the total number of miles now open for hiking at McCormick's Creek from 7.1 to approximately 7.5 miles, more than double what was available immediately after the March 2023 tornado.

Closures remain on trails 5, 6, 7, and 10. Trail 8 remains partially closed. Crews continue to work on clearing them. For safety, guests should respect closure signs and not use these trails.

For more information on McCormick's Creek's other features, please visit on.IN.gov/mccormickscreek. For updates on the tornado recovery efforts please on.IN.gov/mccormicks-recovery.