Coalition for Recreational Trails

Accessibility Enhancement

Springs Valley Trail - Indiana

Springs Valley Trail runs 12.7 miles for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding in the Hoosier National Forest.

Springs Valley Recreation area in Orange County is located west of State Highway 37 south of Paoli. Six miles south of French Lick, this scenic 140 acre lake is surrounded by native hardwoods. Facilities include a hiking trail, primitive camping, boat ramp, and picnicking. The lake has good populations of bluegill, large mouth bass, and channel catfish. Electric motor boats only.

The Springs Valley Trail is a scenic trail on Springs Valley Lake. It is a cooperative effort with the US Forest Service, the Hoosier Back Country Horsemen of America, and the Orange County Saddle Club. This trail was in dire need of repairs and accessibility improvements.

In 2000, $69,680 of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds were utilized in order to create a trail access point for persons with disabilities, perform trail maintenance, reroute sections to stay away from low lying ground in watershed areas, supply picnic tables, build split rail fencing, and create signs for educational purposes.

Volunteers from the two clubs contributed with workdays in order to construct hitching rails, trim back brush, and help with fence installation.

The new trail, which circles the lake, was opened in November 2002. It provides an opportunity for hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, runners, birdwatchers and those with disabilities to enjoy the great outdoors together.

This project is truly a tribute to all trail users and government agencies that work together towards common goals in order to enhance the trail experience for all users.