# Hemlocks, fossil beds and a dome in the woods: by camper along the Ohio River from Madison through southern Indiana to Evansville

> From Madison and Clifty Falls State Park via the Falls of the Ohio, Corydon and Hoosier National Forest to Patoka Lake, then on to French Lick, Lincoln’s…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-577-indiana-ohio-river-hoosier-forest-patoka/

**At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 593 km (368 mi) with 15 stops, from Madison to Evansville. About 6 h 35 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May and September–October. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $3 (IN). From Madison and Clifty Falls State Park via the Falls of the Ohio, Corydon and Hoosier National Forest to Patoka Lake, then on to French Lick, Lincoln’s boyhood haunts, Tell City and New Harmony: around 900 kilometres of river valley, karst forest and utopian history.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 593 km (368 mi) |
| Driving | 6 h 35 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 15 |
| Route | Madison → Evansville |
| States | IN |
| Best time to go | May and September–October |
| Tolls and vignettes | ≈ $3 |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-577-indiana-ohio-river-hoosier-forest-patoka.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From Madison and Clifty Falls State Park via the Falls of the Ohio, Corydon and Hoosier National Forest to Patoka Lake, then on to French Lick, Lincoln’s boyhood haunts, Tell City and New Harmony: around 900 kilometres of river valley, karst forest and utopian history.*

## The spirit of the route

Southern Indiana is the counterpart to the flat cornfields of the north: here the Ohio River runs broad and brown past brick-built towns, Kentucky lies on the far bank, and the hills of the Knobs and Hoosier National Forest rise in dense hardwood forest. The route follows the river from Madison, an almost unchanged 19th-century town, past the fossil beds of the Falls of the Ohio and the first state capital, Corydon, into the forest, where hemlocks stand in damp gorges like a remnant of the Ice Age. From your sliding door you see mist over Patoka Lake in the morning and fireflies among the oaks of a state park campground in the evening, and along the bends of the country roads lie small towns with churches and cheese counters. In the middle stands a domed building from 1902, then Lincoln’s boyhood home, and finally a town that set out in the 19th century to invent a better world. Floods, ticks and thunderstorms come with the territory, and so does the peace away from the interstates.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Madison to Madison (Clifty Falls State Park) (approx. 85 km)

- **The drive:** A round trip from Madison north-east on SR 56 along the Ohio as far as Vevay and back, part of the Ohio River Scenic Byway: two lanes, speed mostly 45–55 mph, tight town centres, hardly any hard shoulder, but constant views of the river, tows and the Kentucky bank. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours; with sightseeing it is a full day. If you approach Madison from the north on US-421, you descend a long grade to the river – use engine braking. Fuel stations and supermarkets in Madison; only a few on the way to Vevay.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Madison Historic District: The old town on the Ohio is one of the best-preserved 19th-century townscapes in the Midwest, with brick houses, cast-iron balconies and Main Street. The Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, a Greek Revival house of 1844 on the river, can be visited; tours run at fixed times and booking is required; check days and times with the Indiana State Museum. Park larger vehicles at the Riverfront, not in the narrow side streets.
  - Clifty Falls State Park: a gorge with several waterfalls (Big Clifty Falls, Tunnel Falls) and steep hiking trails. The falls run strongest in spring and after rain and carry little water in autumn; the rocky paths are slippery even then. Do not walk the trails with ladders and fords when thunderstorms are forecast.
  - Vevay: a river port settled by the Swiss, in the early 19th century a centre of American viticulture, with a courthouse, a small town centre and a riverside park. Good for a break by the river; we mention a side trip to Kentucky (bourbon distilleries) here only as a pointer.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Clifty Falls State Park: campground at the top of the gorge, sites with electric hookup, shower house and dump station, plus an inn in the park. Reservations through the Indiana State Parks reservation system; check site lengths when booking. Alternative: private campgrounds in and around Madison, which we have not checked; enquire beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Free camping is not permitted in Madison, in the riverside car parks or in the state park; the Riverfront car park is for day use only. Do not stay overnight on the municipal roads along SR 56.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up with fuel and water in Madison before the round trip. If you are arriving from the north (Dunes, Amish Country, Brown County), you will find that stretch in the CampingSpirit guide “Shifting dunes, horse-drawn buggies and covered bridges – by camper from the Indiana Dunes through Amish Country to the Ohio River”. When the Ohio floods in spring, parts of the Riverfront area in Madison are under water; water levels are posted on the National Weather Service pages.

### Stage 2: Madison to Charlestown (Charlestown State Park) (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** South-west on SR 62 through hills and forest, through Hanover and Charlestown, then to the Ohio at Clarksville and on to Charlestown State Park. Two lanes, speed 45–55 mph, hilly. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Around Clarksville and Jeffersonville traffic gets denser, as this is where the Louisville metropolitan area begins; some of the Ohio bridges to Kentucky are tolled – not needed for this route. Plenty of fuel stations in Charlestown and Clarksville.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Falls of the Ohio State Park, Clarksville: flat limestone beds in the riverbed with coral and marine fossils from the Devonian, around 390 million years old. The beds are accessible only at low water, usually in late summer and autumn; the Interpretive Center displays the finds. Fossils must not be taken away, as the site is protected. This is where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark met in 1803 before their expedition set off.
  - George Rogers Clark Homesite at the park: a memorial to the founder of Clarksville and the early settlers at the Falls of the Ohio; a short visit, with information on site.
  - Rose Island and Charlestown State Park: hiking trails over the hills along Fourteen Mile Creek, with views of gorges and the remains of a former amusement park. Many wildflowers in spring. Trails are in places steep and muddy after rain.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Charlestown State Park: campground with electric sites, showers and dump station, quiet in the woods. Reservations through the Indiana State Parks; sites vary for larger vehicles, so note the length details. Alternative near Clarksville: private campgrounds in the urban area of Jeffersonville and Clarksville, check beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the grounds of Falls of the Ohio and in the urban area of Clarksville, staying overnight in your vehicle is not permitted; car parks close at night.
- **Insider tip for campers:** For the fossil beds, the water level matters: the Interpretive Center can tell you about access. Bring sturdy shoes, water and sun protection – there is hardly any shade on the limestone. The gorge by the river leaves little room in a flood; if the level rises, head back immediately. Avoid the Louisville bridges, as the toll is electronic.

### Stage 3: Charlestown to O’Bannon Woods State Park (approx. 70 km)

- **The drive:** Continue west on SR 62 through the Knobs, small towns, orchards and forest as far as Corydon; from there on SR 135 and SR 462 to O’Bannon Woods State Park in Harrison-Crawford State Forest. Two lanes, winding, speed 45–55 mph. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Fuel and shopping in Corydon.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Corydon Capitol State Historic Site: the limestone building of 1816 was Indiana’s capitol until 1825, before the capital moved to Indianapolis. Right next to it stands the Constitution Elm, under which the constitution was debated; a stump commemorates it. In 1863 the little town was also the scene of a Civil War engagement, regarded as the only fight in Indiana officially counted as a battle (Battle of Corydon).
  - Harrison-Crawford State Forest: an extensive state forest on the Ohio with hiking trails and canoeing on the Blue River; the area is karst country with caves. Wyandotte Caves (Wyandotte Caves State Recreation Area, part of O’Bannon Woods State Park): guided tours (Little and Big Wyandotte) run only seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, mostly at weekends; ask the park beforehand for dates and operator.
  - Ohio River Bluff Trail: a rough path of around 2.4 kilometres with a view of the river, where you can watch tows going by.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** O’Bannon Woods State Park (Harrison-Crawford): large campground in the forest with around 280 electric sites, an equestrian camp with non-electric sites, a group site and a dump station. Reservations through the Indiana State Parks reservation system; book early for summer weekends and autumn holidays. Some areas (for example the Stagestop Campground) were most recently closed, so ask the park for the current status.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Harrison-Crawford State Forest, camping is allowed only on the designated sites. In Corydon: no overnighting on streets and town car parks.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Explore Corydon’s small town centre on foot; the car parks on the edge of town are better suited to motorhomes. Watch out for ticks in the forest (see Practicalities). The roads in the state forest are narrow, so with long vehicles ask the park administration beforehand about access and site length.

### Stage 4: O’Bannon Woods State Park to Hoosier National Forest (German Ridge) (approx. 105 km)

- **The drive:** Via SR 462 and minor roads (SR 64) west to Marengo Cave, then on towards SR 37 to Hemlock Cliffs in Hoosier National Forest (access from SR 37 via Hatfield Road) and south on SR 37 to German Ridge Recreation Area near Tell City. Two lanes, in places narrow access roads, speed 30–55 mph. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours. The network gets thin in this area: fill up with fuel and shop before the forest, for example in Corydon or Leavenworth.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Marengo Cave: a privately owned but well-known show cave, open since 1883, recognised as a National Natural Landmark, with guided tours through dripstone chambers. Check times and prices on the website; it stays cool in the cave.
  - Hemlock Cliffs in Hoosier National Forest: a loop trail of around 1.6 kilometres into a gorge with sandstone walls, hemlocks, ferns and trickles that turn into falls after rain; a relic of the cooler climate. From the turn-off on SR 37 it is around 3.4 kilometres along Hatfield Road to the trailhead; the size of the car park and the turning options are not known, so it is better to leave large motorhomes elsewhere and ask the Forest Service about access in advance.
  - German Ridge: a recreation area in Hoosier National Forest with hiking trails, a small lake with a beach (in summer) and woods of oak and hickory; a starting point for hikes.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** German Ridge Campground (Hoosier National Forest): a simple campground with around 20 sites without hookups and with vault toilets, open all year. Reservations are not accepted; sites are allocated on arrival; there is no drinking water for people, so bring your own. The fee is paid at a self-pay station. Alternative: the larger Tipsaw Lake Campground near Branchville close to I-64 (Hoosier National Forest) with showers, drinking water and some electric sites, bookable through recreation.gov.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Hoosier National Forest, dispersed camping is allowed free of charge in large parts, but not in campgrounds, day-use areas, car parks and boat ramps, not at the roadside except at designated sites, and not in the Hemlock Cliffs area or in Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest. Keep at least around 60 metres (200 feet) from trails, roads, water and caves; there are stay limits, fire bans and rules on firewood. Check the map and rules with the Forest Service. Hunting also takes place in the forest: wear bright orange clothing in autumn.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The access roads to Hemlock Cliffs and German Ridge run along narrow back roads; turning options are not known. With a tall or long motorhome, choose a base camp at Patoka Lake or Tipsaw Lake instead and explore the forest by bike or on foot. Mobile reception often drops out in the forest – download offline maps.

### Stage 5: German Ridge to Patoka Lake (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** From German Ridge north on SR 37, then along country roads to Patoka Lake near Birdseye. Two lanes, speed 45–55 mph, little traffic, deer crossing at dusk. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Fuel in Jasper or at the I-64 exits; no big shop at the lake itself.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Patoka Lake: one of Indiana’s largest reservoirs, with many coves, forest along the shore, fishing and boating; a quiet area for paddlers and anglers outside weekends. In the cooler months you can watch waterfowl and birds of prey.
  - Newton-Stewart State Recreation Area: a nature center with hiking trails, including the Main Trail of around 10 kilometres; information on programmes and times on site.
  - Hoosier hill country between Jasper and Paoli: small towns with German heritage, bakeries and cheese, good for shopping on the way.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Patoka Lake: campground (Indiana DNR) with around 450 electric sites, a few basic non-electric sites and a dump station. Reservations through the Indiana State Parks reservation system; book early in summer and on holiday weekends.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around the lake, camping is allowed only on the designated sites; overnight parking at boat ramps is prohibited. The shore areas of the wildlife areas are also closed to overnight stays.
- **Insider tip for campers:** There are mosquitoes and thunderstorms at the lake in summer; pack nets and a weather radio. For calm water, use the morning hours; at weekends many motorboats are out. Know the way to your site before evening so that you do not have to turn around in the dark.

### Stage 6: Patoka Lake to Lincoln State Park (approx. 140 km)

- **The drive:** First north on SR 145 and SR 56 to French Lick and West Baden (around 40 kilometres), then via Jasper and SR 162 south into Lincoln State Park near Lincoln City. Mostly two-lane hill and country roads, speed 45–60 mph. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours. Fuel stations in French Lick, Jasper and along SR 162.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - West Baden Springs Hotel: a domed building of 1902 with an atrium around 61 metres in diameter, until the Houston Astrodome in 1965 the largest free-spanning dome in the world, now a National Historic Landmark, back in operation as a hotel after restoration. Whether visitors without a room can see the atrium depends on the hotel’s rules; ask about access beforehand.
  - French Lick: the neighbouring French Lick Springs Hotel and the town stand for the era of the healing springs and “Pluto Water” bottling. The French Lick Scenic Railway runs seasonally for around 90 minutes from the station at the hotel; check the timetable and operation beforehand.
  - Springs Valley: forest and hills around the two towns with easy hiking trails. If you like, fit in a walk here before heading west.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Lincoln State Park: campground on Lake Lincoln with electric and non-electric sites, a dump station and an amphitheater in the park. Reservations through the Indiana State Parks; check lengths when booking. In French Lick itself there is no state-run alternative on the route.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At the hotel and in town, overnighting in car parks is not permitted, including in motorhomes; the large hotel car parks have height restrictions. In Lincoln State Park, only on the campground.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The hotel car parks are in places tight for motorhomes; park on the edge of town. In summer the outdoor drama “Young Abe Lincoln” is staged in Lincoln State Park, and then sites are scarce. We mention neighbouring Santa Claus only in passing: the town is a tourist destination with a Christmas theme, and a stop is only worthwhile with children.

### Stage 7: Lincoln State Park to Evansville (approx. 165 km)

- **The drive:** First to the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (a few kilometres), then on SR 245 and SR 66 to the Ohio at Tell City and Cannelton, then SR 66 along the river west via Rockport and Newburgh to Evansville. Two lanes, speed 45–55 mph, with town centres, industry on the bank and wide views over the Ohio. Pure driving time is about 3 hours. Fuel stations in Tell City, Rockport and Newburgh.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial: Abraham Lincoln grew up here from 1816 to 1830; the site has the grave of his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, the visitor center and a walk on the Trail of Twelve Stones. The living farm (Lincoln Living Historical Farm) is staffed only seasonally. As a National Park Service unit: check opening times and fees on nps.gov.
  - Tell City and Cannelton: Tell City was founded in 1858 by Swiss and Germans, with the William Tell statue in town. In Cannelton stand the Cotton Mill, whose construction began in 1849, an industrial monument on the river, and the lock on the Ohio; the town lies picturesquely on the river.
  - Angel Mounds State Historic Site near Newburgh: mounds of a Mississippian settlement from the period around AD 1000 to 1450 on the Ohio; a quiet stop before Evansville, check opening times.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Evansville: Burdette Park (Vanderburgh County) with a campground on the edge of town; clarify with the park beforehand the extent of the tent sites, the current status for motorhomes and reservations. On the way, Hoosier National Forest offers Tipsaw Lake Campground near Branchville close to I-64 (around half an hour from Tell City), bookable through recreation.gov. Alternative: Harmonie State Park (next stage).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Tell City, Cannelton and Evansville, overnighting on public roads and car parks is not permitted; on the waterfront, times and access for day visitors are regulated.
- **Insider tip for campers:** SR 66 by the river is partly under water in a flood; closures are posted on the website of the Indiana Department of Transportation. On this stretch the Ohio is crossed on bridges, for example Cannelton–Hawesville and Evansville–Henderson; there is no car ferry across the Ohio on this section, and the Cave-In-Rock ferry lies far off on the Illinois border.

### Stage 8: Evansville to Evansville (via New Harmony) (approx. 170 km)

- **The drive:** From Evansville west on I-64, then north on SR 69 to New Harmony on the Wabash River; back the same way or via SR 62. Close to the interstate, speed up to 70 mph, then country road. Pure driving time is about 2 to 2.5 hours there and back. Fuel stations in Mount Vernon and New Harmony.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Historic New Harmony: the settlement was founded in 1814 by the religious Harmony Society; in 1825 Robert Owen bought it for a secular social experiment. In the town stand the Roofless Church, a replica of the labyrinth and the Atheneum Visitor Center; as you walk you see buildings from both groups of founders. Check opening times and tours on the website.
  - Harmonie State Park: a woodland park on the Wabash River with hiking trails and a swimming pool in summer, quieter than the lakes in the east.
  - Evansville: the Ohio River port with a riverside promenade, museum and Mesker Park Zoo is the destination of the route; if you have time, take in the Reitz Home Museum and the riverfront.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Harmonie State Park: campground on the Wabash with electric sites, showers and dump station. Reservations through the Indiana State Parks. Alternatively, back to Evansville and Burdette Park; clarify the current status with the park beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In New Harmony and Evansville, sleeping in your vehicle on streets and car parks is not permitted. There is no legal free-camping option in the urban area.
- **Insider tip for campers:** New Harmony is a half-day place: park on the edge of town and go on foot. If you want to carry on in the motorhome, take I-64 east or west. For the journey home to the north, check traffic and the Ohio water levels.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Indiana has no general right to overnight in a vehicle on public roads; in the towns (Madison, Clarksville, Corydon, Evansville) it is prohibited on streets and municipal car parks and is enforced. On state park land and in state forests, camping is allowed only on the designated sites.
- Hoosier National Forest: dispersed camping is allowed free of charge in large parts, but not in campgrounds, on car parks, along roads (except at designated sites) or in the Hemlock Cliffs area. Check distances to trails, roads and water, stay limits and fire rules with the Forest Service. Wear orange clothing during hunting season.
- Interstate rest areas are meant for resting, not for overnighting; observe the signs on maximum parking time. Supermarket car parks only with the store’s permission.
- Fees for visitors from elsewhere: day admission to Indiana State Parks depends on the licence plate, not on where you live; vehicles with out-of-state plates pay more than those from Indiana, and an annual pass for out-of-state visitors exists as well. Campground fees are listed separately on the Indiana DNR pages. For the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, as an NPS unit, the fee situation on nps.gov applies; check there too whether surcharges apply for visitors without US residency. Reservations for state park sites run through the online system of the Indiana State Parks.
- Floods: the Ohio River rises sharply in spring and after heavy rain; riverside roads (SR 56, SR 66, parks on the river) are closed and waterside campgrounds evacuated. Check levels and warnings from the National Weather Service before setting off and avoid the riverside sites.
- Ticks: lone star ticks, deer ticks and dog ticks are common in southern Indiana, plus chigger mites in tall grass. Check yourself after hikes, and wear repellent (DEET or picaridin) and long trousers.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and Recreation.gov; Park4Night is little used here.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: at the large state park campgrounds (Patoka Lake and O’Bannon Woods confirmed; Clifty Falls, Charlestown, Lincoln and Harmonie also usual, but check beforehand); German Ridge Campground in Hoosier National Forest has no hookups. Some rest stops and truck stops on I-64 offer RV disposal; check the status beforehand.
- Drinking water: at the taps on the state park campgrounds; in forest areas bring your own water. Tap water is drinkable in the USA.
- Empty grey water and sewage only at dump stations; discharging into rivers, lakes or the forest is prohibited.
- Propane: filling stations, DIY stores and campgrounds fill US cylinders; European cylinders are mostly not refilled.
- Electricity: state park sites usually offer 30 A, in places 50 A; Forest Service sites have no electricity.
- Shopping and fuel: Madison, Clarksville, Corydon, Jasper, French Lick, Tell City, Evansville; thin network in Hoosier National Forest and around Patoka Lake, so stock up beforehand.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: interstates mostly 65–70 mph, country roads 45–55 mph, town centres 25–35 mph; the same limits apply to motorhomes as to cars. Penalties are higher in school zones and roadworks.
- Using a mobile phone while driving is allowed in Indiana only hands-free.
- Tolls: there are no tolls on the route; the Ohio bridges in Louisville (I-65, I-265) are electronically tolled – if you stay in Indiana, you do not need them.
- Ferries: there are no car ferries across the Ohio on this route; the river is crossed on bridges. The ferry at Cave-In-Rock links Kentucky and Illinois, far off the route.
- Dimensions: the access roads to Hemlock Cliffs and German Ridge are minor roads; height and length limits are not known, so ask the Forest Service in advance. Observe height restrictions in hotel and town car parks.
- Weather: thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes are possible in spring and summer; use a weather radio or an app with National Weather Service warnings. In a tornado warning, seek a solid building and do not stay in the motorhome.
- Emergency: 911. Mobile reception is patchy in places in Hoosier National Forest and in gorges.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Tick remover, repellent with DEET or picaridin and long, light-coloured clothing: ticks and chiggers are widespread in the forests along the whole route.
- Sturdy hiking boots with good tread: the trails in Clifty Falls and Hemlock Cliffs are rocky and slippery after rain.
- Offline maps and the Forest Service map of Hoosier National Forest: in the forest there is often no reception, and access roads are unsigned.
- High-visibility vest or orange clothing for the autumn hunting season in the forest.
- Weather radio or storm app from the National Weather Service: Ohio floods and thunderstorms shape the planning, especially in spring.
- Binoculars and an identification guide: birds of prey and waterfowl at Patoka Lake, migrating birds on the Ohio and salamanders in the gorges.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [USDA Forest Service – Hoosier National Forest: Rules and Regulations (Dispersed Camping)](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/hoosier/about-area/rules-and-regulations)
- [USDA Forest Service – German Ridge Recreation Area](https://fs.usda.gov/r09/hoosier/recreation/german-ridge-recreation-area)
- [USDA Forest Service – Hemlock Cliffs Special Place and Trail](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/hoosier/recreation/trails/hemlock-cliffs-special-place-and-trail)
- [Recreation.gov – Tipsaw Lake (Hoosier National Forest)](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232114)
- [Recreation.gov – German Ridge Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10296977)
- [Indiana DNR – Entrance Fees (State Parks)](https://secure.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/rates-and-fees/entrance-fees)
- [Indiana DNR – Patoka Lake](https://secure.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/patoka-lake)
- [Indiana DNR – O’Bannon Woods State Park](https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/obannon-woods-state-park/)
- [Indiana DNR – Wyandotte Caves 2026 (Konzessionsausschreibung)](https://secure.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/files/sp-wyandotte-caves-2026.pdf)
- [Indiana State Museum – Lanier Mansion State Historic Site](https://www.indianamuseum.org/lanier-mansion)
- [American-Rails.com – French Lick Scenic Railway](https://www.american-rails.com/french-lick-fall26.html)
- [Yahoo News – Burdette Park to close some camping sites](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/burdette-park-close-camping-sites-002047159.html)

## Which stops are on the route from Madison to Evansville?

1. **Madison** (IN)
2. **Clifty Falls State Park** (Madison, IN): A rugged gorge above the Ohio River with several waterfalls, including Clifty Falls itself, reached by short trails from the main roads. Visit after rain or in spring, when the falls carry the most water.
3. **Vevay** (IN)
4. **Clarksville** (IN)
5. **Charlestown** (IN)
6. **Corydon** (IN)
7. **O’Bannon Woods State Park** (IN)
8. **Marengo** (IN)
9. **Hemlock Cliffs** (IN)
10. **Patoka Lake** (IN)
11. **French Lick** (IN)
12. **Lincoln City** (IN)
13. **Tell City** (IN)
14. **New Harmony** (IN)
15. **Evansville** (IN)

## When is the best time for the route from Madison to Evansville?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Hemlocks, fossil beds and a dome in the woods: by camper along the Ohio River from Madison through southern Indiana to Evansville?**
8-day road trip of about 593 km (368 mi) with 15 stops, from Madison to Evansville. About 6 h 35 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Hemlocks, fossil beds and a dome in the woods: by camper along the Ohio River from Madison through southern Indiana to Evansville?**
We suggest 8 days: about 6 h 35 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Hemlocks, fossil beds and a dome in the woods: by camper along the Ohio River from Madison through southern Indiana to Evansville start and end?**
It starts in Madison and ends in Evansville.

**Which states does Hemlocks, fossil beds and a dome in the woods: by camper along the Ohio River from Madison through southern Indiana to Evansville pass through?**
Indiana.

**Where can you camp along Hemlocks, fossil beds and a dome in the woods: by camper along the Ohio River from Madison through southern Indiana to Evansville?**
OpenStreetMap lists 56 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Lake View Camping, Sunset Haven Riverfront Campground and Riverview Campground.

**How much are the tolls on the route from Madison to Evansville?**
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $3 (IN). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.