Jackson-Washington State Forest Knobstone Trail Technical Loop

The Knobstone Trail cuts through the heart of Southern Indiana’s ancient limestone knobs, where 19th-century quarries left behind technical boulder fields and steep ravines. This 15-mile loop follows old logging roads and quarry haul routes through Jackson-Washington State Forest, crossing Spurgeon Creek multiple times and climbing through remnant stands of oak-hickory forest. The notorious Devil’s Backbone ridge section demands careful wheel placement around loose limestone outcrops and abandoned quarry pits that drop 40 feet without warning.

This is legitimate difficult terrain requiring high-clearance 4WD with skid plates and recovery gear. Wet limestone becomes treacherous, so stick to dry conditions between May and October. Multiple creek crossings can flash flood, and cell service disappears entirely once you drop into the hollows. The payoff is spectacular views from the ridgeline and access to primitive camping spots near the old CCC stone shelters—some of the most remote backcountry Indiana offers.