Spring Mill State Park
Mitchell, IN
A restored 1800s pioneer village around a working stone grist mill, plus caves, including a boat tour in Twin Caves. A Gus Grissom memorial honors the astronaut from nearby Mitchell.
Spring Mill State Park lies about five kilometres east of Mitchell, Indiana (Lawrence County), and covers roughly 1,360 acres (about 550 hectares). Its heart is a pioneer village with around 20 historic buildings and a three-storey limestone gristmill from 1817 that still grinds cornmeal. A spring in Hamer Cave feeds the stream that drives the mill. Interpreters demonstrate the skills of the year 1863.
The park lies on the Mitchell Karst Plain, with caves such as Bronson, Twin, Shawnee and Hamer Cave. At Twin Caves, visitors take a boat about 150 metres into the cave. The Grissom Memorial honours Mitchell-born astronaut Gus Grissom and displays the Gemini 3 capsule "Molly Brown", a space suit and personal items. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built the inn, the lake and most of the trails.
There are campgrounds, hiking trails and a nature center. According to the Indiana DNR the pioneer village is open daily from mid-April to the last full weekend of October, and the boat tours run only from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The 2026 season is therefore over (as of October 2026); please check hours and admission in advance.
- Nearest town
- Mitchell, IN
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 38.7285, -86.4163
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
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. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Photo by Steven Van Elk on UnsplashSouthern Indiana hills: Columbus architecture to Lincoln’s boyhood
Photo by Steven Van Elk on UnsplashShifting dunes, horse-drawn buggies and covered bridges – by camper from the Indiana Dunes through Amish Country to the Ohio River
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Hickory Ridge Horse CampCampsite18 mi from Spring Mill State Park
- Blackwell Horse CampCampsite20 mi from Spring Mill State ParkFree
- Pine Loop campgroundCampsite21 mi from Spring Mill State Park · 40 pitches
- JellystoneMotorhome stopover21 mi from Spring Mill State ParkMotorhomes
- Lake Monroe VillageMotorhome stopover23 mi from Spring Mill State ParkMotorhomes
- Monroe Causeway CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Spring Mill State Park
All campsites in Indiana · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Spring Mill State Park?
Spring Mill State Park is in Mitchell, IN, at GPS 38.7285, -86.4163. It is about 17 mi from French Lick.
Can you camp near Spring Mill State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Spring Mill State Park?
Spring Mill State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southern Indiana hills: Columbus architecture to Lincoln’s boyhood and Shifting dunes, horse-drawn buggies and covered bridges – by camper from the Indiana Dunes through Amish Country to the Ohio River.
What is there to see near Spring Mill State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Brown County State Park (32 mi), Columbus Architecture Tour (42 mi), Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (48 mi) and Muhammad Ali Center (48 mi).
When is the best time to visit Spring Mill State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)