food and coolers inside cars or campers. campers. or cars inside coolers and food

Park. Please come back. back. come Please Park.

visitors and a danger to themselves. Please lock all all lock Please themselves. to danger a and visitors

Enjoy your visit to this rich, historical State State Indiana historical rich, this to visit your Enjoy

who depend on handouts become a nuisance to park park to nuisance a become handouts on depend who

be both educational and recreational. and educational both be

result in harm to both animals and people. Animals Animals people. and animals both to harm in result

prove to kids of all ages that a trip to Versailles can can Versailles to trip a that ages all of kids to prove

animals is prohibited. Feeding of all wild animals can can animals wild all of Feeding prohibited. is animals

Center located near the lake. Its interactive exhibits exhibits interactive Its lake. the near located Center

lae e wl aias ean wild. remain animals wild let Please Feeding Feeding

opportunities that the park provides, visit the Nature Nature the visit provides, park the that opportunities

ffice. o park at inquire regulations, and rules of list complete a For To learn more about and the the and Park State Versailles about more learn To

wildlife. wildlife.

to enjoy. to their site. their

expansive habitats for songbirds and a variety of of variety a and songbirds for habitats expansive

to keep your park clean and beautiful for others others for beautiful and clean park your keep to

hours, except anglers and registered campers at at campers registered and anglers except hours,

The park’s beautiful hardwood forests provide provide forests hardwood beautiful park’s The Please carry out all trash you produce in order order in produce you trash all out carry Please

is allowed entrance into the park between those those between park the into entrance allowed is

drainage system that dominates the park. the dominates that system drainage

The park is closed from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. No one one No a.m. 7 until p.m. 11 from closed is park The •

associated springs point to an extensive underground underground extensive an to point springs associated

pods, corals and crinoids. Numerous sinkholes and and sinkholes Numerous crinoids. and corals pods, Horses are not permitted on hiking trails. hiking on permitted not are Horses

- brachio bryozoans, including fossils, find will hikers Horseback riders shall ride on horse trails only. only. trails horse on ride shall riders Horseback •

vician rock. Throughout many of the park’s creeks, creeks, park’s the of many Throughout rock. vician

are on duty. on are

- Ordo 475-million-year-old fossil-rich, exposing and

Swimming is limited to the pool, when lifeguards lifeguards when pool, the to limited is Swimming •

through Silurian reef limestone, creating rugged cliffs cliffs rugged creating limestone, reef Silurian through

surface. Over time Laughery Creek has cut its way way its cut has Creek Laughery time Over surface. park only in designated areas. designated in only park

An abundance of history lies below the park’s park’s the below lies history of abundance An Motorists shall observe posted speed limits and and limits speed posted observe shall Motorists •

River, just south of Aurora, Ind. Aurora, of south just River,

waste in receptacles provided for that purpose. that for provided receptacles in waste

Americans where Laughery Creek enters the Ohio Ohio the enters Creek Laughery where Americans

icy in all day use areas. Overnight guests must put put must guests Overnight areas. use day all in icy

they arrived, the soldiers died in a battle with Native Native with battle a in died soldiers the arrived, they gatehouse and mountain bike trailhead. bike mountain and gatehouse

- pol trash Out In/Carry Carry the with comply Please •

George Rogers Clark at the Falls of the Ohio. Before Before Ohio. the of Falls the at Clark Rogers George Mountain bike trail maps are available at entrance entrance at available are maps trail bike Mountain

men were traveling down the to meet with with meet to River Ohio the down traveling were men Fires shall be built only in designated places. places. designated in only built be shall Fires •

lutionary War soldier. In 1781, Col. Lochry and his his and Lochry Col. 1781, In soldier. War lutionary

groups are permitted in the family campground. family the in permitted are groups - Revo a Lochry, Archibald Col. after named Creek, PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS! MARKED ON STAY PLEASE

Camping is permitted only in the campground. No youth youth No campground. the in only permitted is Camping • Running directly through the park is Laughery Laughery is park the through directly Running

permitted.

Department of Natural Resources is prohibited. is Resources Natural of Department Numerous invertebrates inhabit the creek bottom. creek the inhabit invertebrates Numerous

1987. As a result swimming in the lake is no longer longer no is lake the in swimming result a As 1987.

Vending or advertising without permission of the the of permission without advertising or Vending • Crosses the creek three times before joining Trail 2. 2. Trail joining before times three creek the Crosses

pool complex, complete with a waterslide, opened in in opened waterslide, a with complete complex, pool

bridge and goes east along Fallen Timber Creek. Creek. Timber Fallen along east goes and bridge

kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. 6 than longer no leash a on kept been added to the park over the years. A swimming swimming A years. the over park the to added been

EASY (1.5 miles)—Begins north of Fallen Timber Timber Fallen of north miles)—Begins (1.5 EASY 3.

Dogs and cats must be attended at all times and and times all at attended be must cats and Dogs • ming in June 1958. New facilities and features have have features and facilities New 1958. June in ming

- swim and fishing boating, for public the to opening

bridge at the lake. the at bridge activity authorized by written permit. written by authorized activity

built as an area water supply and recreation outlet, outlet, recreation and supply water area an as built

points in the campground, and from Fallen Timber Timber Fallen from and campground, the in points vehicle, except when the owner is participating in an an in participating is owner the when except vehicle,

1954. Using prison laborers, the 230-acre lake was was lake 230-acre the laborers, prison Using 1954.

picnic area, behind Trailside shelter, from several several from shelter, Trailside behind area, picnic un-nocked and stored in a case or locked within a a within locked or case a in stored and un-nocked

Construction of Versailles Lake began in January January in began Lake Versailles of Construction

ground A, access can be made near Oak Grove Grove Oak near made be can access A, ground in possession in a state park must be unloaded or or unloaded be must park state a in possession in

park. Today the park includes 5,988 acres. 5,988 includes park the Today park.

2 - Camp Encircling up. picked be can 1 Trail where gun, air gun, CO gun, air gun, gun, bow and arrow, or spear gun gun spear or arrow, and bow gun,

Versailles State Park, Indiana’s second-largest state state second-largest Indiana’s Park, State Versailles

near the CCC-constructed Oak Grove shelter, shelter, Grove Oak CCC-constructed the near Any firearm (except validly licensed handguns) BB BB handguns) licensed validly (except firearm Any •

state of Indiana, and the “Versailles Project” became became Project” “Versailles the and Indiana, of state

Creek/ravine. The trail rounds Campground A to to A Campground rounds trail The Creek/ravine.

because they rebuild the natural humus. natural the rebuild they because National Park Service deeded the property to the the to property the deeded Service Park National

the hill of the southern edge of Fallen Timber Timber Fallen of edge southern the of hill the

brush or trees (either dead or alive) for firewood firewood for alive) or dead (either trees or brush Versailles to work in Oregon. By April 1943, the the 1943, April By Oregon. in work to Versailles

MODERATE (2.75 miles)—Makes a figure 8 along along 8 figure a miles)—Makes (2.75 MODERATE 2.

flower, bird or wild animal. Do NOT gather limbs, limbs, gather NOT Do animal. wild or bird flower, During fall 1937, Company 596 was pulled from from pulled was 596 Company 1937, fall During

Do not injure or damage any structure, rock, tree, tree, rock, structure, any damage or injure not Do • present throughout much of Versailles State Park. State Versailles of much throughout present

please watch children at road crossings. road at children watch please

ings and shelters. Most of their original work is still still is work original their of Most shelters. and ings

Road or near Oak Grove picnic area. Parents, Parents, area. picnic Grove Oak near or Road RULES AND REGULATIONS AND RULES

- build constructing in artisans joined also army” “tree

be accessed from below, from the Old Fire Tower Tower Fire Old the from below, from accessed be

construction projects. President Franklin Roosevelt’s Roosevelt’s Franklin President projects. construction

for limestone sinkholes along the way. Trail can can Trail way. the along sinkholes limestone for

and enjoyment. and

work, watershed and erosion controls, and water water and controls, erosion and watershed work,

poplar, black walnut and other native trees. Look Look trees. native other and walnut black poplar,

landscape in its natural condition for the public’s use use public’s the for condition natural its in landscape

and wood construction, road construction and path path and construction road construction, wood and

Valley, featuring oak, hickory, maple, beech, tulip tulip beech, maple, hickory, oak, featuring Valley,

were established, namely, to preserve a primitive primitive a preserve to namely, established, were

the park through tree planting, native stone masonry masonry stone native planting, tree through park the

and ravines along the eastern bluff of Laughery Laughery of bluff eastern the along ravines and

designed to fulfill the purpose for which state parks parks state which for purpose the fulfill to designed

Conservation Corps. These CCC enrollees developed developed enrollees CCC These Corps. Conservation

MODERATE (2.25 miles)—Circles upland woods woods upland miles)—Circles (2.25 MODERATE 1. Visitors shall observe the following rules, which are are which rules, following the observe shall Visitors

ranging from 18 to 28 years old, known as the Civilian Civilian the as known old, years 28 to 18 from ranging

DESCRIPTION OF TRAILS OF DESCRIPTION PARK YOUR IS THIS building and a recreation building to house the boys boys the house to building recreation a and building

ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES SWIMMING—A 25-meter swimming pool with a 100- Indiana Department of Natural Resources foot waterslide is available. A children’s waterplay area BOAT RENTALS—Boats may be rented by the hour or with wading pool and “rainmaker,” a bathhouse with day. Privately owned boats may be launched on the lake lockers, showers and a concession area are part of the at the boat ramp. Only electric trolling motors, powered complex. Swimming is prohibited in Versailles Lake. by no more than two 12-volt batteries, are allowed. BRIDLE TRAILS—25 miles of bridle trails are available CENTRAL RESERVATION SYSTEM for those bringing their own horses. Trails are for day- Ve r s a i l l e s use only, no over night camping with horses. Reservations for all types of camping, family cabins, and shelters at state parks, reservoirs and forests can STATE PARK CAMPING—Electric sites only. Campground is be made online or by calling toll-free.

equipped with flush toilets, hot water and showers. INDIAN A Occupancy is limited to 14 consecutive nights. All camp.IN.gov sites accommodate tents or trailers and have electric- 1-866-6campIN CAMP. CENTRAL RESERVATION SYSTEM ity and firerings. Reservations available through the (1-866-622-6746) Central Reservation System. —Located adjacent to the Nature Cen- CAMP STORE Reservations for the Indiana State Park Inns and ter near the lake. Firewood may be purchased. Inn-operated cabins can be made online or by call- CONCESSION—Located at pool. Open during pool ing toll-free. hours. IndianaInns.com 1-877-lodges1 FISHING—In 230-acre Versailles Lake. Bass, blue- (1-877-563-4371) gill, catfish, and other small game fish. State fishing license required, available at the park office. FOR MORE INFORMATION GROUP CAMP—Camp Laughery accommodates 120 persons. This complex includes sleeping cabins, STATE PARKS kitchen with appliances, dining hall, shower house RESERVOIRS Write: Versailles State Park and recreation hall. Available April through October, Box 205, 1387 East U.S. 50 As the sun tucks away behind the except for the recreation hall, which may be used Versailles, Indiana 47042 picture-perfect backdrop of red, blue and all year. Reservations available through the Central purple clouds, the loud squawk of a great Reservation System. Mapping Address: Versailles State Park blue heron breaks the silence as it glides 1387 E. U.S. 50 effortlessly over Versailles Lake. Anglers HIKING—More than 6 miles of hiking trails are avail- Versailles, IN 47042 cast glowing bobbers to prepare for a able. Ratings for the trails are easy and moderate. Call: (812) 689-6424 night of catfish excitement as a family of HIKING PERMITTED ON MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS. raccoons eagerly searches the banks of INTERPRETIVE NATURALIST SERVICES—Avail- DNR Laughery Creek for crawdads. able three days a week from Memorial Day to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Another family lights its campfire near middle of August. Hikes, educational and interpre- dnr.IN.gov the tent to enjoy a night of marshmallows tive programs and evening activities are offered by a and ghost tales narrated by distant owls. This is just another day-in-the-making at seasonal interpretive naturalist. Program schedules SPECIAL NOTE available at InterpretiveServices.IN.gov or (812) 689- historic and rural Versailles State Park. 6424. Exhibits on park’s natural and cultural history on Receipts from admission and service charges are used to help In August 1934, during the Great De- display at the Nature Center. defray the operation and maintenance costs of the park. List of pression, the National Park Service an- fees available in the park office. nounced plans to develop a federal park MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS—16 miles of trails, range on 1,700 acres of marginal Ripley County of difficulty, except the easy Turtle Trail. The programs, services, facilities, and activities of the Indiana farmland. By fall, land was secured for the Department of Natural Resources are available to everyone. PICNIC AREAS—Tables, grills, toilet facilities, play- DNR prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national Versailles Recreation Demonstration Area, ground equipment and playfields. origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been dis- the first federal park in Indiana. The fol- criminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described lowing January, more than 200 young men SHELTERS—Reservations for shelters are available above, or if you desire further information please write to: Depart- known as Company 596 arrived to begin through the Central Reservation System. ment of Natural Resources, Executive Office, 402 W. Washington work. The first focus was constructing 15

(continued) St., W256, Indianapolis, IN 46204, (317) 232-4020. 1/29/10 barracks, a mess hall, an administration VERSAILLES STATE PARK PARK BOUNDARY Box 205, 1387 E. U.S. 50 • Versailles, IN 47042 • (812) 689-6424 5,988 Acres Established 1943 LOCATION MAP 1 VERSAILLES 421 STATE PARK 50 50 Town of Versailles 1 1 Indianapolis 1 • 421 VERSAILLES 1 2 STATE PARK •

2 2 N 2

L a u g h e r y C r e e MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS k TRAIL MILEAGE TRAIL TYPE 1 Grandview Loop 6.0 Difficult 4 2 Center Loop 2.0 Moderate 3 Creekside Loop 1.4 Moderate 3 4 Cliffside 2.5 Difficult 5 Turtle Loop 1.0 Easy 6 Shadow Run Loop 4.0 Easy/Beginner 4 3

Schimmerhorn Shelter 4 Heron's Point Shelter Restroom Hiking Permitted Playground 6 on Mountain Bike Trails 6 Cedar C Grove Playing e Shelter Field 5

d 6

a

r

C 6 6

r 6 e 5 e Swimming Pool Mountain Bike Trail k Waterslide & T Trailhead Concession 6 ➂ Stand Nature Center ➂ & Camp Store Restroom Picnic Area ➂ ➁ Parking F a n e k Boat Rental l l e T i m r e & Launch b e r C

Lakeview Picnic Shelter Area VERSAILLES ➁ ➁ ➁ LAKE

round

A Youth Assistant Property Tent oup Camp Picnic Campg Gr T Manager's Playground ➁ Campground B Area Parking Residence Area Property ➁ Service Trailside Picnic Group Manager's Area Area Dumping Camp Laughery Residence Shelter Playground Playing Station Field T Picnic Campground Area Control ➀ Station Oak Grove Campground C Dam Picnic Shelter Area ➀ Horse Day Use Area

Saddle Barn

SINK HOLES Town Gate ➀ of House Versailles T HIKING TRAILS d TRAIL MILEAGE TRAIL TYPE Park oa R ➀ 2.25 Moderate Office er ➀ ow ➁ 2.75 Moderate T ire ➂ 1.5 Easy F d Ol LEGEND Covered Bridge Boundary Telephone North T Vernon Road Accessible Hiking Trail U.S. 50 Mountain Bike Trail and Trailhead

U.S. 50 ➀ Cincinnati

L CAMPCAMP.. a CENTRALCENTRAL RESER RESERVAVATIONTION SYSTEM SYSTEM u

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0 1/4 1/2 r e RECYCLE

e Place used beverage cans

k in the park's marked recycling Printed on Recycled Paper Approximate Scale in Miles containers. Thank you. 1/29/10