Into the Woods at Versailles State Park

Fall is the perfect time for hiking in Indiana! As I continue my year-long journey to complete the 12 trails (one each month!) as outlined by Only in Indiana, I was super excited to check out a state park I had never heard of, Versailles State Park.

I must admit that even after my hike I’m still not sure if it is pronounced Ver-sigh or Ver-sales, but either way, it is an awesome spot for hiking!

Versailles Stake Park may not have all the bells and whistles of some of Indiana’s more well know parks, but if you are seeking solitude in the beautiful outdoors this park aims to please.

This state park, in the town of Versailles, is located in Ripley County about 2 hours southeast of Indianapolis. Versailles State Park boasts 4 hiking trails as well as 9 trails for mountain biking.

My preferred mode of transportation on this perfect fall day (sunny and 70 degrees!) was my own two feet. And one of my oldest and dearest friends, Tammi, joined me for yet another trek through the woods!

Trail 1

We parked in the spacious lot by Oak Grove Shelter. Based on the scant number of vehicles we knew we would have the trail basically to ourselves and decided Versailles State Park must be a well-kept secret.

You can enter trail 1 just off of the parking lot or on the other side of the shelter. This trail is a 2.25 mile loop so the starting point is really up to you. I love loop trails as that makes it a bit harder to get lost!

Trail 1 is labeled on the map as “More Difficult” whereas the other three trails are referred to as “Easy.” Tammi and I didn’t find this trail to be terribly challenging, but there were some inclines and the path was definitely not level throughout.

If you are a bit accident-prone like me, you will want to watch your step for roots, rocks, and uneven soil. I also wouldn’t recommend this trail for strollers, and most of the path was fairly narrow so single-file hiking is best.

The trail was marked as hiking only, no bikes or horses allowed. We didn’t encounter anyone on bikes or horseback during our time in the woods, but I’m not sure everyone heeds the sign as we did have to dodge a few piles of horse poop along the way! (I decided not to take a photo of that!)

Even though our hike took place in late September the fall color had yet to emerge. The trees were still a lush green, but I could imagine the brilliant pop of color that was to come in just a few short weeks.

That sounds like a good excuse for a return visit to Versailles State Park!

Busching Covered Bridge

Either before or after your hike, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the Busching Covered Bridge. This one-lane, red, covered bridge is located just before the entrance to the park. You can’t miss it!

Southern Indiana is well known for its beautiful covered bridges, and I have visited quite a few over the years. There are nearly 100 historic covered bridges in Indiana, but just two can be found in Ripley County.

Busching Covered Bridge, built in 1885, is particularly impressive at a length of 176 feet.

You can walk or drive through the bridge, and I opted to do both! If you walk the bridge be sure to stop at the picturesque window for a view of the creek below. But keep an eye out for on-coming cars!

Versailles Pumpkin Show

When I travel to a new area to go hiking I also love to check out the local town. Indiana is full of small towns bursting with charm.

Less than a mile from Versailles State Park is the town square, and we were in luck. The day of our hike happened to be the last day of the annual Versailles Pumpkin Show!

It was a bit like stepping into an Autumn-themed Hallmark movie…and if you know me, you know I’m a sucker for those cheesy flicks!

The adorable town square was blocked off for the townsfolk to enjoy carnival rides, games, and food.

Plenty of family-friendly fun everywhere you looked!

This year marked the 119th Versailles Pumpkin Show, making it Indiana’s oldest festival! The festival spans five days full of seasonal activities. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend the 120th running of this Fall festival in September of 2022.

And be sure to check out Versailles State Park while you are there!

Have you visited any Indiana State Parks? Comment below and let me know which one was your favorite!

Hard to believe that 2021 is coming to an end soon, but I still have a few more amazing hikes to experience, so stay tuned! You can catch up on all my previous hikes here: hike 1, hike 2, hike 3, hike 4, hike 5, hike 6, hike 7, and hike 8.

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya