How much does camping cost at Mccormicks Creek State Park?

Camping fees at Mccormicks Creek State Park range from $2-$9/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Mccormicks Creek State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Mccormicks Creek State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Mccormicks Creek State Park before I book?

Yes! Mccormicks Creek State Park has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Mccormicks Creek State Park?

Mccormicks Creek State Park is open Campground is closed indefinitely for tornado recovery.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Mccormicks Creek State Park?

Mccormicks Creek State Park does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Mccormicks Creek State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Mccormicks Creek State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Mccormicks Creek State Park?

Mccormicks Creek State Park offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Mccormicks Creek State Park?

Popular activities at Mccormicks Creek State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Mccormicks Creek State Park

4.46

49 reviews

250 McCormicks Creek Park Rd, Spencer, Indiana, 47460, United States

Featured in:Forest Camping Indiana Pet-Friendly Campgrounds Indiana Swimming Camping Indiana

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

814 ft

Price

$2 - $9/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Campground is closed...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

814 ft

Price

$2 - $9/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Campground is closed...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Mccormicks Creek State Park

$2.00 - $9.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The entrance fee is $7 per vehicle for in-state plates and $9 per vehicle for out-of-state plates, charged seven days a week. Pedestrians, bicycles,...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

8128292235

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

250 McCormicks Creek Park Rd, Spencer, Indiana, 47460, United States

Mccormicks Creek State Park

250 McCormicks Creek Park Rd, Spencer, Indiana, 47460, United States

Nearby places

Spencer (approx. 2 miles), Bloomington (approx. 17 miles), Ellettsville (approx. 7 miles), Indianapolis (approx. 50 miles).

Nearby supplies

Supplies can be obtained less than 1 mile from the park for bait and tackle. Grocery stores, fuel stations, and a medical clinic are greater than 1 mile from the park. Additional amenities such as malls and shopping centers are greater than 10 miles away.

Driving directionsFROM THE NORTH: I-70 OR SR 67 S. TO U.S. 231, S. TO SPENCER, INDIANA. AT INTERSECTION OF U.S. 231 & SR 46, TAKE SR 46 E. ABOUT 2 MILES TO ENTRANCE. FROM THE SOUTH: SR 37 N. TO SR 46 W., ABOUT 7 MILES W. OF ELLETTSVILLE TO THE ENTRANCE. FROM THE EAST: SR 46 W. THROUGH ELLETTSVILLE, ABOUT 7 MILES TO ENTRANCE. FROM THE WEST: SR 46 E. THROUGH SPENCER AND CONTINUING ON SR 46 TO THE ENTRANCE.

Road access to the campground is paved and accessible year-round. However, SR 46 is a major route, and traffic conditions may vary. No mention of seasonal closures or challenging terrain.

Weather at Mccormicks Creek State Park

Current alert: The campground and several trails are closed due to tornado damage. Cleanup efforts are ongoing.

Best Time to Camp at Mccormicks Creek State Park

Fall is the standout season. Daytime temperatures settle into the mid-40s to mid-60s°F, cool enough for comfortable hiking without the heavy humidity of summer. Hardwood foliage clings to the canyon walls in October, and lower water levels make it easier to see the limestone features and waterfalls up close. Crowds stay moderate. Spring brings rain and rushing water but also wildflowers. Summer turns humid under the canopy. Winter can coat the canyon walls in ice, though some trails may close depending on conditions.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is popular; pool and full trail access make it a good season despite summer humidity.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Campground is closed indefinitely for tornado recovery.

About Mccormicks Creek State Park

Indiana's oldest state park sits near Spencer in the heart of southern Indiana's karst country, where McCormick's Creek has carved deep limestone canyons and box valleys over millions of years. The park offers cabin lodging alongside traditional campsites, with fees ranging from $2 to $9 per night. Visitors find well-maintained trails, a historic inn with a restaurant, and a landscape shaped by water, caves, and sinkholes.

The campground offers accommodation options like group camping, cabins, and traditional campsites. However, the campground has been impacted by tornado damage, with extended closures noted.

Historical Significance

The Canyon Inn dates to the early 1900s, when it served as a spa and sanitarium for visitors seeking the supposed health benefits of the local waters. The building still stands and now operates as a lodge and restaurant, preserving a slice of Indiana's early tourism history.

Weather and SeasonsFall is the standout season. Daytime temperatures settle into the mid-40s to mid-60s°F, cool enough for comfortable hiking without the heavy humidity of summer. Hardwood foliage clings to the canyon walls in October, and lower water levels make it easier to see the limestone features and waterfalls up close. Crowds stay moderate. Spring brings rain and rushing water but also wildflowers. Summer turns humid under the canopy. Winter can coat the canyon walls in ice, though some trails may close depending on conditions.

Natural Features and SceneryLimestone gorges define the terrain here, cut by a creek that disappears underground in places and resurfaces downstream. The karst topography creates sinkholes, caves, and distinctive box canyons where stratified rock walls show the slow work of erosion. Hardwood forests blanket the uplands. Waterfalls tumble over ledges into pools below, though the rocks around them stay slick year-round. At 814 feet elevation, the park sits low enough for southern Indiana's humid summers but high enough for the ridgelines to catch fall color.

Geological RegionCarved into southern Indiana's distinctive karst landscape, McCormick's Creek showcases nature's patient sculpting over millennia. Here, water has worked its magic on ancient limestone bedrock, creating a wonderland of sinkholes, caves, and box canyons unique to this geological region. The park's dramatic gorges and disappearing streams tell the story of an underground world where water continues to shape and reshape the land, offering visitors a glimpse into the powerful forces that created this remarkable terrain.

Scenic ViewsThe views include canyon cliffs, waterfalls, and forests. Trails like Trail 3 provide a Zion-like feel with smaller canyon cliffs.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe park includes cabins and the Canyon Inn. Cabins are well-equipped but require guests to bring their own bedding and kitchen essentials. The Canyon Inn offers traditional lodging with a restaurant and recreation facilities.

Programs & ActivitiesThe park hosts cultural programs, history exhibitions, and guided walks. Specific schedules are not mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through the park's direct contact line or online platforms.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability details are not provided.

AccessibilityThe park offers some accessible features, but the steep trails and stairs to the waterfall may pose difficulties for those with mobility issues.

Site Size+

PrivacyMixed-level privacy depending on location; cabins and campsites vary in seclusion.

Recommended SitesUser reviews suggest viewing the waterfalls and hiking trails such as Trail 3. Cabins are recommended for families.

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Amenities available

McCormicks Creek State Park offers a wide array of facilities and amenities, making it a versatile choice for various types of visitors. The park features fire rings, picnic tables, dump stations, flush toilets, and vault toilets. Additionally, the park includes a swimming pool (open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day), retail spaces for snacks and firewood, a nature center, an amphitheater, and hiking trails. However, seasonal operations and tornado damage have affected some areas, including the campground.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

A variety of recreational opportunities are available at McCormicks Creek State Park. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, swimming, horseback riding, and cultural programs. Seasonal and storm-related closures have impacted certain trails and facilities.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Wildlife viewing

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTornado damage has affected trails and campgrounds since March 2023. Rocks near waterfalls are slick and pose safety risks.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are available in Spencer, Indiana, including a hospital and police station. The nearest ranger station is within the park.

Trash & RecyclingThe park provides trash disposal services, but specifics on recycling facilities and pickup schedules are not mentioned.

Water FeaturesThe park has rivers, streams, and waterfalls that are accessible via trails.

Camp HostCampground hosts are available within the facility.

Cell CoverageUser reviews note spotty cell service in some areas of the park, but it is accessible near the Canyon Inn, which also offers Wi-Fi.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

49 reviews

Recommended

Mccormicks Creek State Park is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews of McCormicks Creek State Park highlight its natural beauty, family-friendly atmosphere, and variety of recreational opportunities. Some users expressed concerns about the impact of tornado damage and closures, while others praised the cabins and amenities like the Canyon Inn.

Review Summaries

Based on 49 reviews

What Campers Love

"Beautiful park," "great hiking trails," "friendly staff," "well-maintained cabins," and "fantastic restaurant" are commonly mentioned. Families appreciate the board games available in cabins and the...

Based on 49 reviews

Common Concerns

Tornado damage has caused extended closures of the campground and trails. Some users noted inconvenient restroom closures and disappointing food experiences at the Easter Buffet.

Based on 49 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Cabins are highly praised for their amenities, though some lack modern conveniences like garbage disposals. Group sites are well-equipped for gatherings.

Based on 49 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring proper footwear for slippery rocks near waterfalls and your own bedding for cabins. Check trail and facility availability due to ongoing tornado recovery efforts.

Based on 49 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer and autumn are popular for their clear weather and scenic foliage. Tornado season (spring) has had a significant impact on access and usability.

Based on 49 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'This is one of my favorite Indiana state parks.' - Angelo Constantine 2. 'The cabins are top-notch with kitchens but require guests to bring their own essentials.' - Susan Ruggles 3. 'Trail 3...

Based on 49 reviews

Accessibility Features

Steep trails and stairs to waterfalls challenge users with mobility issues. Cabins require guests to bring their own essentials, which could be cumbersome.

Based on 49 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times. Some users recommend making old cabins pet-friendly.

Based on 49 reviews

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Go if

Cabin-seekers within 50 miles of Bloomington will find a solid base here, Trail 3 delivers canyon walls that punch above their weight, and the Canyon Inn restaurant means you're not cooking every night. Fall foliage on those limestone ridgelines is the real draw.

Skip if

Anyone counting on tent or RV camping should stop here: the campground closure has no set end date. Slick rocks near the waterfall are a real hazard, and several trails remain affected by storm damage, so check current conditions before driving out from Indianapolis.

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Lieber State Recreation Area sits along Cagles Mill Lake in Indiana's SPR region, offering tent, RV, and primitive camping across wooded sites at 883 feet elevation. The park includes a swim area, boat launch, and nature center. Facilities range from full hookups to basic sites, with fees starting at $3 per night. Expect crowds on summer weekends and limited cell service throughout the campground.