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Nestled in the woods of southern Indiana, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and Lincoln State Park are a surprising combination of great camping with a fascinating history lesson. These parks commemorate the area where Abraham Lincoln grew from boy to manhood, and where he earned his moniker as a Frontier Statesman.
It’s hard to think of Indiana as the western frontier, but that was the case in 1816 when the Lincoln family moved from Kentucky in search of better opportunities.
“When first my father settled here, ‘twas then the frontier line. The panther’s scream filled the night with fear, and bears preyed upon the swine.”
– Abraham Lincoln
The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is an extensive property, including a museum with impressive limestone frescos of Mr. Lincoln’s legacy. You’ll also enjoy a recreation of the Lincoln farm and log homestead, where Park Rangers dressed in period clothes work the farm and are happy to demonstrate the fixtures of frontier life. Nearby is the pioneer settlement cemetery where Abe’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, rests.
Directly across the street from the National Memorial is Lincoln State Park, where we have camped several summers in a row. The state park is also a vast enterprise, including a large RV campground, tent and youth camp sites, and cabin rentals. Lincoln State Park has a lake with a dedicated swimming beach, paddleboat and canoe rentals, a Nature Center where park rangers provide several programs a day, and numerous picnic areas and hiking trails. Several historic sites contemporary to Abraham Lincoln are also on the grounds, along with memorials and monuments to our great President. A short distance from the campground is a modern amphitheater which hosts professional productions and plays on summer weekends.
We are always entertained at Lincoln State Park, and even after several visits we still haven’t seen all this area has to offer. We’ve enjoyed twilight owl sightings and a guided “midnight stroll” with the park rangers. The lake is a fine spot to float away an afternoon. But most often we have spent the day exploring the shady trails threaded throughout the park and visiting the Lincoln homestead.
Many of the State Park offerings are walkable from the RV campground. The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, while located directly across the highway, is a bit too far to hike from the campground, so transportation is recommended.
While the RV campground is conveniently located, it is regularly crowded on a summer weekend. Camping sites are fairly close together and can be noisy, but the park has so much to offer that we tend to overlook the lack of privacy. Big rig access is available, but on a limited basis. A dump station is located at the campground entrance, and a small camp store and concession grill is available the lake’s visitor center.
If you’d like a good look at frontier life, and a deeper insight into Abe Lincoln’s character building childhood, Lincoln City is a fine destination for families or Boomers looking for an interesting stop.
Websites:
http://www.nps.gov/libo/index.htm
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2979.htm
July 4, 2023
