Amazing beauty without the crowds of nearby Turkey Run State Park. Make sure to check out the Pine Hills Nature Preserve as it is definitely a less visited hidden gem with unique rock features.
Went camping here over the summer and once again in the fall. I love this park! It’s peaceful and the campsites are nice. The hiking trails are a lot quieter and more private than Turkey Run. Love it.
This is an excellent place for a hike, picnic, camping or other outdoor activity. There is a wide variety of trails, some more challenging than others. The primitive camping section offers great star gazing.
Been going here since I was a young kid with my family its basically in r backyard! Made a bunch of memories. Beautiful!!! God's Beauty!!! The devils punchbowl and backbone r cool should of named them different though. Whoever named them were so immature and should of known better. Don't ever include the devil even in a name!
Every bit as beautiful as Turkey Run State Park, but less known and therefore less traveled. I had no idea that places like this existed in Indiana, well worth the 2.5 hour drive for my family to spend the day hiking and picknicing. Just make sure you bring good walking shoes and a pack to carry water with you. All of our "short" hikes ended up taking hours because we just couldn't get enough of the scenery.
Just as stunningly beautiful as Turkey Run! Very nice, well marked hiking trails. We very much enjoyed our day here.
I've been going to this campground for 20+ years and every year I'm faced with a new reason why I love coming. My aunts and uncles ashes are both dumped here on trail 2, otherwise known as lovers leap. The park in general is primitive so if you're not one that likes nature and believes in the true meaning of camping, then this place is probably not for you.
The Shades is one of my happy places. It's gorgeous and peaceful. My dad took us as children and now we are taking ours to see the natural beauty Indiana has to offer in the gems that are our state parks.
When you go, respect not only nature but your fellow hikers and campers. It's a more enjoyable experience for all.
Beautiful park for hiking and the camp sites are much more wooded than most. Great if you have a hammock. The trails are beautiful and very easy, nothing too "technical" makes for nice relaxing day hikes.
Took trail 4 backwards to start with the rugged and then return in the moderate. The rugged straight down a ravine with ladders and steps. Most of the hike was in shake water and mud which made it tough on my young kids. We then hiked the Devil's Punch Bowl to the waterfall. This was a much easier rugged hike. The descent into the ravine was by stair and the ravine much wider.
Shades State Park is the rugged version of Turkey Run and should be a must do for anyone who likes adventure.
Went early in the season. Had no troubke finding parking close to all the trails. Only draw back was that the modern bathrooms weren't open yet. No sign of outhouse bathrooms either. Trails are beautiful but some structures are in need of repair.
Relatively quiet and empty. Great place for quick, easy hikes. Decent mix of trails. Clean environment.
Trail 4!!! I covered only one trail..It's full of fun!!! Great get away place. I would recommend not to miss on this trail as it takes you to the most beautiful area at Sugar Creek!!!! :)