O'Bannon Woods State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
O'Bannon Woods State Park is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts located in southern Indiana.
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Summary
The park is named after former Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon and encompasses over 2,300 acres of forested hills, rolling meadows, and rugged terrain.
Visitors to O'Bannon Woods State Park can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and camping. The park is home to several scenic trails, including the Adventure Trail, which winds through the park's most rugged terrain and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
One of the park's most popular attractions is the Wyandotte Caves, a series of underground caverns that are open for guided tours. The caves are home to a variety of unique rock formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone.
Other notable points of interest in O'Bannon Woods State Park include the Blue River, which flows through the park and offers excellent fishing and boating opportunities, and the Birdseye Trail, which leads hikers through a picturesque hardwood forest.
The best time of year to visit O'Bannon Woods State Park depends on personal preferences and the desired activities. Spring and fall are typically the most popular times to visit, as the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. Summer is a great time to enjoy the park's water-based activities, while winter offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, O'Bannon Woods State Park is a must-see destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities of southern Indiana.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Horsemen's Campground Electric
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Horsemen's Campground Non-electric
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OBannon Woods State Park
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