Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
Indiana
27

Indiana State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
Indiana
Southern Region
Harrison-Crawford State Forest
start slideshow
Harrison-Crawford State Forest View near Overlook Restaurant © Joseph Herring
The visitor to Harrison-Crawford state forestor OBannon Woods State Park absolutely must check out this amazing view of the Ohio River in nearby Leavenworth.
Harrison-Crawford State Forest © April Moser
Harrison-Crawford State Forest © April Moser
Harrison-Crawford State Forest Creek bluffs, Cliff Dweller Trail © Joseph Herring
These cliffs deep in the state forest once provided flint for ancient Native Americans. The pieces of flint were made into arrowheads, spearheads and knives.
Harrison-Crawford State Forest © April Moser
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
HARRISON-CRAWFORD STATE FOREST
HARRISON-CRAWFORD STATE FOREST
7240 Old Forest Rd SW
Corydon, Indiana   47112
(lat:38.2008 lon:-86.2551) map location

Phone: (812) 738-7694
Harrison-Crawford/Wyandotte Complex lies in the central and extreme southern part of the state,bordering the Ohio River. The forest contains about 26,000 acres including the Wyandotte Caves StateRecreation Area. The area offers Class A campsites, as well as the Stagestop Campground, which offersClass C and youth rally camping. A canoe access ramp is also available at the Stagestop Campground.
History of the Area
Harrison-Crawford State Forest is a forested area located in southern Indiana, United States. The forest was established in the 1930s as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program, specifically the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was aimed at providing employment to young men during the Great Depression while also working towards conservation and development of natural resources.

The land on which Harrison-Crawford State Forest is situated was originally owned by Harrison County, Indiana. The county leased the land to the Indiana Department of Conservation, which later merged with the Department of Natural Resources. This partnership allowed for the establishment and maintenance of the forest.

The primary purpose of creating Harrison-Crawford State Forest was to address the severe deforestation issue in the area caused by extensive logging and unchecked agriculture. By acquiring the land and implementing reforestation efforts, the state aimed to restore the ecological balance and enhance wildlife habitat.

The CCC played a significant role in the development of Harrison-Crawford State Forest. Corps members were responsible for numerous conservation projects, including tree planting, dam construction, and trail building. They also constructed recreational facilities such as cabins, fishing ponds, and picnic areas, which remain in use to this day.

During World War II, the forest was temporarily used as a Prisoner of War (POW) camp, housing German and Italian prisoners. After the war, the forest reverted to its original purpose of conservation and public recreation.

Harrison-Crawford State Forest covers around 24,000 acres and offers various outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. The forest also houses the Sycamore Interpretive Trail, which educates visitors about the region's natural and cultural history.

The history of Harrison-Crawford State Forest reflects its transformation from a heavily exploited landscape to a protected natural area, serving as a testament to the efforts of the New Deal program and the CCC.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
GeneralLand, acres26,000
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Picnickingyes
 Picnic Sheltersyes
 Bridle Trails, miles80
 Nature Centeryes
BoatingLaunch Ramps, #3
CampingPrimitive, #25
 Electric Sites, #281
 Flush Toiletsyes
 Dumpstationyes
 Showersyes
 Group Camp, capacity100
 Youth Group Camp, capacity100
 Horsemen Campsites, #47
AccommodationsGame Roomyes
 Restaurantyes
Camping
Class A camping facilities: electrical hookup, modern restrooms/showers (wheelchair accessible), picnictable, fire ring, parking spur, drinking water supply in area -281 sites. A dumping station is available.

Class C (primitive) camping facilities: pit toilets, fire ring, parking spur, drinking water supply in area -25sites. Please self-register for camping at the campground check-in booth.

Horseman's Campground (Class B): modern restrooms/showers, picnic table, fire ring, parking spur,drinking water supply in area -47 sites.

Group Camp: 100-bed group camp at Wyandotte Woods. Self-contained structures consisting of arecreation hall, shower house, dining hall and shelter.
Nearby Vacation Rentals
Search for a vacation rental


Location
Harrison-Crawford State Forest is located near Brandenburg, Corydon

Picnicking
There are picnic areas and picnic shelterhouses available for day use. Picnic tables and grills are located at the picnic sites. Shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trails
Hiking Trails:

Adventure Hiking Trail -27 miles, backpack. Overnight camping permitted; trail shelters available.

Adventure Trail -3.5 mile "mini hike"of the Adventure Hiking Trail

Post Oak-Cedar Trail - 1 mile, rugged

Rocky Ridge Trail - 2 miles, moderate

C.C.C. Ghost Trail - 1.5 miles, moderate

Flowertop Trail - 1 mile, rugged

White Tail Deer Trail - 1.6 miles, moderate

Cliff Dweller Trail - 1.7 mile, rugged

Sleepy Hollow Trail - 1 mile, moderate

Tulip Valley Trail - .5 mile, moderate

Wyandotte Trail - .2 mile, easy

Pool Trail - 2 miles, rugged

Nature Programs
The Hickory Hollow Nature Center features a variety of displays and exhibits. Programs are givenyear-round and a full time naturalist is on staff. Nearby is Wyandotte Caves State Recreation Area, whichoffers guided tours of both Big and Little Wyandotte Caves.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 31 Horse trails
park review stars; one to five The trails where nice pretty well marked. The only thing is it would be nice to have a map that showed the horse trails so you knew where you were at.
September 7 Horsemans paradise by Susie
park review stars; one to five Really enjoyed camping and riding at the Harrison-Crawford State forrest, excellent campground, the only complaint is not being able to bring your own wood, nice trails,would love to see the miles put on the trails under the trail number, so you would know how far from camp you are, would really help us new timers. A better map would help also. DNR officers were very nice and polite, no hassles.
May 30 Horrible by MuD
park review stars; one to five These people threw us out of their park while we were cleaning up trash. Horrible campout. DNR were like Nazis, stalking patrons with night vision goggles and hassling people. If you are an out doors nature lover STAY AWAY! We were quiet and respectful. Unreal. Bite the hand that feeds and become the hand that takes. we have been doing conservation work for 20 years and we have never had a more insulting experience.
write a review read more reviews
Share On

Area Resources
businesss listing main photo
Tourism
Crawford County consists of over 306 square miles of beauty and outdoor recreation Caves, state parks, rugged terrain, acres of protected forests, nature preserves, and numerous waterways
7.3 miles from park*

Directions
Harrison-Crawford State Forest is located in southern Indiana, near the towns of Corydon and English. To reach the forest from Indianapolis, follow I-65 South until you reach Exit 19B for IN-56 West towards Salem/Corydon. Continue on IN-56 West for approximately 30 miles until you arrive at Harrison-Crawford State Forest.

If you are coming from Louisville, Kentucky, take I-64 East across the Ohio River into Indiana. Then merge onto US Highway 150 West via Exit 105 toward Greenville/Paoli/Campbellsburg. Follow this highway for about 25 miles before turning left onto S.R.-337 South/SR-Marengo Road to enter Harrison-Crawford State Forest.

Once inside the state forest area, there are several recreational activities available such as hiking trails (including a portion of The Adventure Hiking Trail), camping sites with electricity hookups or primitive options if preferred by visitors who want more solitude during their stay; fishing spots along Blue River which runs through parts of it too!

Overall, reaching Harrison-Crawford State Forest is relatively easy whether traveling from Indianapolis or Louisville due to its convenient location just off major highways like I-65 and I -64 respectively!

state route ranger badge
Indiana
27

Indiana State Parks

X