Clark State Forest Limestone Canyon Historic Quarry Circuit
Quarry roads through Indiana's karst country.
Clark State Forest sits atop the Mitchell Plateau where limestone quarrying built half the Midwest’s foundations. This 12-mile circuit follows century-old quarry access roads through a landscape of natural bridges, sinkholes, and seasonal waterfalls that appear after spring rains. The route passes active bat caves and the ruins of the old Indiana Limestone Company operations, where derricks once lifted Bedford limestone blocks bound for Chicago skyscrapers. Goose Creek cuts deep ravines through the plateau, creating technical descents that require low-range and careful line selection.
Moderate difficulty terrain suitable for stock 4WD with decent ground clearance and recovery points. The limestone can be slick when wet, making spring and fall the trickiest seasons—summer and early fall offer the most predictable conditions. No permits required, but stay clear of active bat hibernacula from October through April. Primitive camping available at designated sites, and the old quarry benches provide unique overnight spots with views across the Ohio River valley toward Kentucky.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 890 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Henryville, Indiana |
| Land manager | Indiana DNR Division of Forestry |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | in.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without modifications?
Yes. The minimum requirement is a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle, and both rigs handle it fine as-is. Limestone surface with moderate ruts and no extreme ledges means you won't need a lift or lockers.
When does Clark State Forest close or restrict trail access?
Best window is June through October. Wet limestone gets genuinely slick in spring and late fall, and some forest roads in Clark can be gated or closed after heavy rain or during hunting seasons — call Indiana DNR Forestry at the Clark unit before you go if you're outside that window.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to run this trail?
No permit required and no trail fee. Clark State Forest is free to access. If you're camping, dispersed camping is allowed within the forest under Indiana DNR rules — no reservations, no fee, just follow leave-no-trace and fire regulations.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The quarry road segments are the roughest — loose and broken limestone with embedded ledges that can catch a low-hanging skid plate off-camber. Nothing that'll stop a capable stock 4WD, but it demands attention and you'll want to walk a line or two before committing.
How far is the nearest gas station and is cell service reliable enough for navigation?
Henryville is your last reliable fuel stop, roughly 10-15 minutes from the trailhead — fill up there. Cell service inside the forest is spotty at best, so download offline maps via Gaia or OnX before you leave pavement.
Trail track
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