Who We Are
And What We Do!
We are a small group (less than 50 people) of determined people who do good things for the park. We could use you, whether its just your dues and your interest in the Park, or more hands to do Projects and help with fundraisers, or bringing more ideas to the table.
Here are some of the accomplishments we’re proud of in the last few years. If you have an idea of something you’d like to see us do for Spring Mill, please let us know! There are many additional projects not featured here but this gives you a flavor of our projects.
Long and short-sleeved T-shirts available for purchase for those who complete the Trail Challenge.
Spring Mill Trail Challenge Sticker
Selling souveniers and crafts in the Park.
The Friends secured an all terrain wheelchair for use on designated Park trails.
Mark Young and local girl scouts plant trees acquired by the Friends through an Indiana Parks Association grant. Additional trees have been planted around the Village and Butternut Shelter area with a grant from Smithville Foundation.
The doors of the Grissom Memorial and Nature Center are now accessible due to the efforts of the Friends and grants from Lawrence County Tourism and Lawrence County Community Foundation.
The Friends and Lawrence County Community Foundation published reprints of the history of the Village for interpreters to use in preparing to interpret their cabins.
One of two kayaks purchased for the Park in 2020 by the Friends. Part of the funding was from a Walmart grant.
Two friends share one of several benches provided by the Friends and Lawrence County Community Foundation.
The Friends have been sponsoring the Spring Mill Fall Craft Fair the last few years, held the first weekend in November. Each cabin has an artisan or crafts person selling crafts. An entrance fee is charged for this popular event.
Spring Mill State Park has 10.8 miles of amazing trails, our challenge to you is to hike them ALL! This is an annual Challenge – hike all the trails every year! Hike every trail in the Park at your own speed, whenever you like. It’s the honor system, enjoy the special character of each trail. Once you’ve completed every trail, go on-line and order a regular T-shirt for $24.36 to $25.46 depending on color, short sleeve, or long sleeve.
Here is the link to order a t-shirt at Good Sports, Bedford, Indiana. In the Good Sports website collection search for #111 for the 2026 Trail Challenge T-Shirt. The shirt may be picked up in Bedford or mailed to your address for an extra fee. Profits from the annual Trail Challenge will be used for park projects. The Challenge is an incentive to get outdoors, enjoy Spring Mill, get in shape, and help Spring Mill State Park! Anyone who completes the challenge is also eligible for a FREE sticker from the Park office or Nature Center!
Friends treasurer John Castrale hands a check to the reenactor who plays Abraham Lincoln at some of the Park events. The Friends often support special events by paying for special guests.
Friends of Spring Mill State Park Quarterly Newsletters:
Members receive these newsletters regularly by email or snail mail.