There are two kinds of family trips: the ones you plan months in advance with spreadsheets, color‑coded packing lists, and a laminated itinerary… and the ones that happen because your kids are at summer camp for the first time and you suddenly realize you have a rare window to escape your normal routine without needing to coordinate seven people, three snack bags, and a bathroom schedule.
Our trip to Spring Mill State Park definitely fell into the second category.
K and C were off at Indian Creek Baptist Camp for their first ever camp away from home — a milestone that hit us somewhere between “Wow, they’re growing up” and “Wait… what do we do with ourselves now?” Instead of driving back back and forth from Terre Haute, we decided to camp nearby. And by “nearby,” I mean “close enough that we could rescue them if needed, but far enough that we couldn’t hear any homesick crying unless the wind was really, really right.”
It was the perfect excuse to finally visit Spring Mill State Park, a place we’d somehow never made it to despite living in Indiana long enough to have opinions about tenderloins.
And let me tell you that Spring Mill is one of those parks that makes you wonder why you didn’t go sooner.
Camping at Spring Mill
We rolled in with our Jayco, which has become our family’s mobile cabin, mobile kitchen, and mobile “everyone please stop touching each other” zone. Spring Mill’s campground made settling in easy:
- Electric hookup: Check.
- Water access: Check.
- Dump station: Check (not glamorous, but necessary).
- AT&T and T-Mobile service: Surprisingly solid. Enough bars to check email, upload photos, and Google “why do fish hate us” after our fishing attempts.
The campground itself is classic Indiana State Park style: wooded, peaceful, and full of friendly campers who wave at you whether they know you or not. We set up, leveled the camper, and immediately felt that familiar camping shift: the one where time slows down, meals taste better, and you suddenly care deeply about the crackling of a campfire.
This was our home base for a few days and it worked beautifully. We could relax, explore, and still be close enough to camp to swoop in if K or C needed anything. Spoiler: they didn’t. They were too busy having the time of their lives.
A Bonus Night With K and C: Trout, Fog, and a Perfect Send-Off
Before we officially dropped K and C off at camp, they spent one night with us at Spring Mill, which gave them just enough time to squeeze in a little adventure of their own.
Naturally, we went fishing because hope springs eternal and trout are apparently the introverts of the fish world.
Spring Mill’s lake is spring fed, which means the water stays cool even in the summer heat. Trout love that. And honestly, so did we. When we kayaked upstream as far as we could go, we found ourselves paddling through a layer of fog drifting across the water like nature’s special effects department was showing off. It felt peaceful, quiet, and just eerie enough that the kids would’ve immediately asked, “Is this where the lake monster lives?”
H and M: The Full Spring Mill Experience Crew
While K and C were off at camp, H and M stayed with us the entire time, which meant they got the full Spring Mill experience: hiking, kayaking, cave exploring, and more fishing attempts than any fish population should reasonably be expected to tolerate.
They were troopers — enthusiastic, curious, and always ready to explore the next thing, even if M needs a little motivation from her Bob Ross Happy Little Tree Mints. It was fun watching them soak up the park in their own ways, whether that meant spotting wildlife, asking questions about cave formations, or trying to convince us that this cast would definitely catch a fish.
K and C loved getting that little taste of the park before camp — a perfect mix of fishing, exploring, and soaking up the scenery. Even though the trout still weren’t exactly lining up to be caught, it was a great send off moment before we dropped them off for their first big week away.
Fishing: A Masterclass in Not Catching Fish
Let’s talk about the fishing.
We fished.
We tried.
We cast.
We waited.
We stared at the water with the intensity of people trying to manifest a fish into existence.
And we caught… absolutely nothing.
Not a nibble.
But honestly? It was still great. We usually don’t have great luck with fishing and that’s okay. Its about getting out there and trying.
Plus, not catching anything meant we didn’t have to deal with the whole “now what do we do with this fish?” dilemma. So really, the fish did us a favor.
Kayaking: The Part Where We Actually Succeeded at Outdoor Recreation
If fishing was a bust, kayaking was the redemption.
Spring Mill has a lovely lake that’s perfect for paddling — calm water, beautiful scenery, and just enough wildlife to make you feel like you’re in a nature documentary without worrying something will try to eat you.
We paddled around the lake, enjoying the sunshine and the quiet. Kayaking is one of those activities that makes you feel athletic even if your main form of exercise is carrying laundry baskets up the stairs. It’s smooth, it’s peaceful, and it gives you a great view of the park.
We didn’t tip over, which I consider a major victory. We also didn’t race, because we’re at the stage of life where “racing kayaks” sounds like a great way to pull a muscle we didn’t know we had.
Exploring the Caves: Indiana’s Underground Playground
Spring Mill is famous for its caves, and for good reason. The park sits on a karst landscape, which is a fancy way of saying “the ground is full of holes, tunnels, and underground rivers that look like something out of a fantasy novel.”
We explored a couple of the caves, and each one had its own personality.
Cave #1: The Big Cavern With the “Nope, We’re Not Going In There” Ending
The first cave we visited had a large, impressive cavern that you could access via a metal walkway. It was slick — the kind of slick that makes you walk like a baby deer on a frozen pond — but manageable. The cavern itself was stunning: tall ceilings, echoing acoustics, and that cool cave air that feels like natural air conditioning.
Then the cave narrowed.
Sharply.
As in: “We would have to turn sideways and hope our shoulders don’t brush the walls” sharply.
We looked at the passage.
The passage looked back.
And we collectively decided that this was not the day to test our spelunking bravery.
Sometimes the best adventure is knowing when to say, “Nope, we’re good.”
Cave #2: The One You Can Only Reach by Boat
The second cave was Twin Caves, the one only accessible by boat. This is the cave where you glide into the darkness while a guide tells you about underground rivers, blind cave creatures, and the geology that carved out the space over millions of years.
It’s peaceful, fascinating, and just spooky enough to make you feel like you’re in a fantasy novel. The kids loved it — which means we’ll definitely be back with the whole crew someday. Except for A, she doesn’t do caves.
Spring Mill Village: A Step Back in Time (Without Losing Cell Service)
Spring Mill Village is one of the most charming parts of the park — a restored 1800s pioneer village complete with a working grist mill, blacksmith shop, and historic cabins. It’s like walking into a living history museum, except you don’t have to churn butter or wear wool in July.
We wandered through the village, peeked into the buildings, and watched the mill wheel turning. It’s the kind of place that makes you appreciate modern conveniences like air conditioning, indoor plumbing, and not having to make your own shoes.
The craftsmanship, the history, the scenery — it all comes together to create a peaceful, nostalgic atmosphere. It’s easy to imagine families living and working here long before smartphones, highways, or the phrase “Can you hotspot me?”
The Gus Grissom Museum: Space Nerd Heaven
If you grew up in Indiana, you probably learned about Gus Grissom at some point — the astronaut from Mitchell who flew in the Mercury and Gemini programs and helped pave the way for the Apollo missions.
Spring Mill has a museum dedicated to him, and it’s fantastic.
We walked through exhibits about his life, his missions, and his legacy. There’s something inspiring about seeing the artifacts, reading the stories, and realizing just how brave and brilliant these early astronauts were. They climbed into metal capsules the size of a compact car, strapped themselves to rockets, and said, “Sure, let’s see what happens.”
The museum is well done, informative, and surprisingly emotional. It’s a must‑visit if you’re in the park — especially if you have kids who love space, science, or stories about people who pushed the boundaries of what’s possible.
Why Spring Mill Was the Perfect “Kids Are at Camp” Trip
This trip hit a sweet spot for us.
We were close enough to Indian Creek Baptist Camp to feel available if needed, but far enough to actually relax. We weren’t hovering parents. We weren’t anxiously waiting by the phone. We were camping, exploring, and enjoying a rare moment of quiet.
Spring Mill gave us the perfect mix of:
- Outdoor adventure
- History
- Relaxation
- Activities we could do at our own pace
- Enough cell service to check in without feeling tethered
It felt like a mini‑vacation tucked into a week that could have easily been spent doing chores, running errands, or reorganizing the garage. Instead, we chose caves over clutter, kayaks over laundry, and campfires over to‑do lists.
And honestly? We’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Final Thoughts: Spring Mill Is a Gem We Shouldn’t Have Waited So Long to Visit
Spring Mill State Park surprised us in the best way. It’s beautiful, peaceful, full of things to do, and perfect for families — whether you’re bringing the whole crew or sneaking in a kid‑free getaway while they’re off having their own adventures.
We’ll definitely be back, next time with all the kids in tow. They’ll love the caves, the village, the museum, and the kayaking. The fishing… well, maybe they’ll have better luck than we did.
But even if they don’t, Spring Mill is the kind of place where catching fish is optional, but making memories is guaranteed.