Few People Know About This Secret Emerald Canyon In Indiana
By Tori Jane|Published February 14, 2023
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Fun fact: Indiana is not a boring place. Not even a little. No matter how many folks might insist it’s “boring” or “flat,” they couldn’t be more incorrect – in fact, did you know that there are some literal canyons in Indiana that are outrageously beautiful and absolutely worth a visit? It’s true – there are so many, actually, that we can’t list them all in a single article, but we can talk about a few of our favorites, one of which is the incredible emerald secret canyon in Indiana hiding within McCormick’s Creek State Park.
Okay, okay - if you're local, chances are you've probably at least heard of the canyons at McCormick's Creek.
Carved by millions of years' worth of erosion in some of the most pristinely beautiful wildlands Indiana has to offer, McCormick's Creek State Park is like something out of a fairy tale.
The park is filled head-to-toe with stunning, steep canyons, crystal-clear babbling brooks, and even a waterfall or two.
It is truly something spectacular; it's full of amazing hiking trails, all of which do an amazing job of bringing adventurers face-to-face with some of the most beautiful places in Indiana.
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The best trail for anyone hoping to get a front-row seat look at the canyons, however, will want to check out the aptly-named Falls Canyon Trail.
This amazing trek weaves through canyons and lowlands, leading to a gorgeous waterfall that, depending on recent snowmelt and/or rainfall, might be a trickle - or it might be roaring.
The geological features along the way paint an interesting picture of the long natural history of this region, and everything the forest has "gone through" to become what it is now.
What is it now? Well, it's a lot of things, depending on who you ask; it's a museum of natural history, a stunning record of Indiana's lengthy geological past, and a wonderful way to kill an afternoon all rolled up neatly into one little (beautiful) package.
Even if you're not a geology geek or a big earth science nerd (we totally are, no shame), you'll find the ins and outs of Falls Canyon Trail to be a delight no matter what.
It's visually stunning from start to finish, and if you do the entire hike, it's just under five miles long. It's rated as moderately difficult thanks to some scrambling and light climbing you need to do.
Remember that the trail can get extremely slippery, especially after a good rain, so please plan for that!
Wear good, sturdy hiking shoes, and be sure to bring lots of water along, even if you're hiking during the winter (which is an AMAZING time to witness the waterfall while it's frozen).
For the most up-to-date information about the trail, including closures and other important info, be sure to visit both the official AllTrails page (for the hike) and the official website (for the park).
What is your favorite hiking trail in Indiana? Have you ever done the Falls Canyon trail at McCormick’s Creek State Park? Let us know!
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