Episode 6Travel & OutdoorsSouth Central

The Monon South & Next Level Trails: How Trails Connect Our Communities

IN the Parks·Allison Martin·Jun 23, 2026·54 min
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Show Notes

Let's go for a ride or walk along the Monon South, stopping in six small towns along the trail. We'll get breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snacks, and plenty of activity along the way! And best of all, you'll be close to several state parks, so consider adding in these communities to your visit to Spring Mill State Park, Deam Lake, or Patoka Lake!

Listen to “The Monon South & Next Level Trails: How Trails Connect Our Communities” on Apple or Spotify.

Below are events or places I visited and recommended. There are even more restaurants and shops mentioned in the episode!

Borden

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Pekin

Salem

Campbellsburg

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Orleans

Mitchell

If you want to learn more about the Monon South, here's trail info. Be sure to check out Magnificent Monon South and Discover Southern Indiana to find even more fun activities in this part of the state!

You are going to learn about:

  • The impact of the Next Level Trails on Indiana

  • How working on a cruise ship led to the creation of Broken Town Granola

  • The nation's oldest consecutive 4th of July festival

  • What the Monon logo really is

  • The most significant man from Indiana you've never heard of

  • An unexpected love story in Orleans

Episode Details
Show
IN the Parks
Category
Travel & Outdoors
Topic
IN the Parks
Region
South Central
Duration
54:18
Published
Jun 23, 2026
About the Host
Allison Martin
Allison Martin
Host · IN the Parks

Allison Martin tells the stories behind Indiana's state parks: the best trails, the campgrounds, the history and the corners worth the drive.

View show

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction
  2. 01:15About Magnificent Monon South and Discover Southern Indiana
  3. 02:15What is the Next Level Trails Initiative?
  4. 05:41The Benefits of Trails in a Community
  5. 06:30Borden, Indiana Overview
  6. 07:25Broken Town Granola Interview
  7. 11:20Pekin, Indiana Overview
  8. 11:55The Nation's Oldest Consecutive 4th of July Festival
  9. 15:28Places to Eat in Pekin
  10. 16:12Salem, Indiana Overview
  11. 17:34The Depot Railroad Museum and Monon's History
  12. 22:15The Real Story Behind the Monon Logo
  13. 25:45John Hay: The Most Significant Man from Indiana You've Never Heard Of
  14. 28:10Meeting & Working With Abraham Lincoln
  15. 31:18Working for Six Other Presidents
  16. 33:45Hay's Lasting Impact
  17. 36:18Campbellsburg, Indiana Overview
  18. 35:50Cave River Valley Provides a Rugged Experience
  19. 37:33Orleans, Indiana Overview
  20. 40:50The Dogwood Capital of Indiana
  21. 43:45A Love Story with John Stetson of the Cowboy Hat
  22. 46:10Painting a Giant Mural in Orleans
  23. 47:09Mitchell, Indiana Overview
  24. 47:40Gus Grissom's Childhood Home
  25. 48:00The Mitchell Opera House Concert Venue
  26. 50:18Main Street Raceway Slot Car Racing Hits Your Need for Speed
  27. 51:20Sunset at Spring Mill State Park
  28. 51:45The Beauty of Next Level Trails and the Monon South
  29. 52:27Final Thank Yous and Recommendations

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

What is the Monon South Trail?

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The Monon South is a rail-trail running through southern Indiana that connects small towns including Borden, Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Orleans, and Mitchell. It was built in part through Indiana's Next Level Trails initiative. The route also puts you close to several state parks, including Spring Mill State Park, Deam Lake, and Patoka Lake.

What towns and stops does this episode cover?

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The episode travels six small towns along the trail with food, shops, and activities at each. Highlights include Broken Town Granola in Borden, the nation's oldest consecutive 4th of July Festival in Pekin, the John Hay Center and Depot Railroad Museum in Salem, Cave River Valley near Campbellsburg, the Dogwood Festival in Orleans, and the Mitchell Opera House and Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell.

Where can I listen to the In the Parks podcast?

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You can listen to this episode of In the Parks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow along on Instagram (@intheparksonline) and Facebook for more of host Allison Martin's Indiana state park and trail journeys.

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