Cave River Park


Useful Information

Location: Southwest of Mitchell, 3.5 km north of Campbellsburg. SR 60 to Campbellsburg, N. Marshall Road, then N White River Road, turn off left onto N Cave River Valley Road. At the intersection with W Cave River Valley Road, the park is straight ahead.
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Bibliography: Richard L. Power (1962): The Caverns and Geology of Cave River Park, Washington County, Indiana Geological Survey.
Address: Cave River Park, Campbellsburg, IN 47108.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History

1817 first grist mill built.

Description

Cave River Park is a private park with dozens of caves. Some of the caves are still unexplored, others are of impressive size, like Endless Cave. The cave is located in a nice gorge in the hills of southern Indiana. The river in the gorge was ideal for a mill, so the first grist mill was built already in 1817. Other above ground attractions are trout fishing, camping, barbecue and several trails.

But the main thing are the underground attractions. Eight wild or semi wild caves are open for visitors. It is necessary to register at the office and sign a release. At the office visitors get a description of all open caves, with necessary skills and required equipment. Also they are informed about the weather, as most caves get flooded during heavy rain.

  1. River Cave is located right above the grist mill, and the river emerging from the cave is powering the mill. It is a pretty easy cave, but rubber boots are recommended.
  2. Endless Cave is the second easy cave of the park. It is not endless, and the information about 17 mapped miles is obviously wrong, as it is not listed on the official list of the Geology and Geography Section of the National Speleological Society.
  3. Bear Den Cave
  4. Crystal Spring Cave
  5. Lake Cave
  6. Frozen Waterfall Cave
  7. Lamplighter's Cave
  8. Clifty Cave I and Clifty Cave II require a boat.

For all caves sufficient light and appropriate clothes and shoes are necessary. Rubber boots and overall are a good idea, helmet with headlamp also. Some of the more difficult caves require climbing equipment and/or a boat.