Visit Rockville Parke Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the "Hoosier National Forest" in Rockville, Indiana. Experience hikes through the pristine forests and the Blue River or visit the historic "Lieber Memorial Forest".
Rockville sights? Honestly, this sounds like one of those Instagram hashtags that you only know from the backyard of a small city, but I promise you there's more charm than an overpriced coffee shop in the big city. I grew up in Rockville, right in the heart of Adam's Township, Parke County, and when you ask me, the historical flair of the city is what it really does. Founded in 1828, the town has never developed into a noisy tourist center – and that is also good. The old brick houses along Main Street tell stories of railroads that once stopped their carts and farmers who built the country around the city.
When you arrive by car, take the State Road 47; the ride through the gentle hills of Parke is almost a taste of what awaits you. I don't quite understand the hype about the annual Covered Bridge festivals, but the calm atmosphere on the river, where you just hear the whip, is really great. And yes, the small town hall with its original clock is a must – not because it is a museum, but because it beats the heart of the municipality. So, grab your curiosity and let Rockville surprise you; There's no snuck here, just honest, slightly cynical hospitality.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Rockville is not some hip café, but the venerable one. Rockville Covered Bridge. For the first time, when you stumble over the cracking wooden frame, you will understand why I become a little nostalgic every time – and yes, this is not just a tourist cliché. The river beneath it, the wood smells like history, and parking is usually a slag, as long as you don't arrive with the festival visitors on Saturday night, then it becomes a real patience game.
A short walk further (and a bit more patience because the road here is a bit bumpy) leads you into the heart of the Rockville Historic District. Here, Victorian façades join each other, and the old court building, which I use for a photo shooting again and again, almost looks like a set of a Western film – only without the cowboys, for that with a few very dedicated historians who like to explain why the roof was replaced in 1912. I don’t understand the hype about “historical city cores” completely, but here you actually feel a piece in another time.
If you're looking for a place to relax your tired legs, look at this Rockville City Park on. The small lake there is not exactly an Amazon rainforest, but the jogging track is well maintained and the baseball fields are always full because the locals take the game seriously. I once tried to make a picnic and was overrun by a group of teenagers with an improvised baseball tournament – no joke, that was a real spectacle. Parking is available around the car park at the entrance, but when you arrive by bike, you don't have to worry.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is the Rockville Farmers Market. Every Saturday morning, the main road turns into a colorful collection of fresh vegetables, homemade cakes and handmade soaps. I tried the best maize bread of my life there – and that of a grandma who told me that she had received the recipe from her mother, who again learned it from her mother. The market is not huge, but the atmosphere is real, and parking is a bit tricky here, because most cars park right in front of the stands.
For the readers who prefer to stay inside, there are Rockville Public Library. This is not some library, but a small jewel with a corner dedicated exclusively to local authors. I found an old diary from the 1800s, written by a former postmaster – a real find for history lovers. The building has free Wi-Fi, and parking is right behind the town hall where you usually find a free space as long as you are not there at noon.
A bit away from the tourist trails Rockville Community Center. There are regular art exhibitions, dance evenings and even an occasional poetry slam. I was once at a local jazz evening where a saxophonist from Indianapolis suddenly jumped out of the audience and improvised a solo – that was so unexpected that I almost spilled my cola. The center has a small parking lot, but most visitors just park on the street, which usually works without problems.
And because I can't forget everything: if you're looking for a quick overview, simply tap “Rockville Sights” into your search engine – you'll be surprised how many small treasures are hidden here, which I can't count all of here, because I can't decide what to visit first.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was the Roseville Covered Bridge, a cartiful woodcrap that spans the Little Raccoon Creek and feels like a relic from a long past era. I took a few photos there while a tractor was sneaking around – this is the true Indiana feeling, not a tourist gimmick, but pure land air. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the picnic blankets stack like Tetris stones.
A short detour to the south leads to Portland Mills Covered Bridge, which with its slightly sloping road almost looks a bit dangerous – just my taste. I remember how I crossed the bridge with my bike and the creeping wood almost overtoned the sound of my own doubts. The small parking lot there is more a field, so better keep a few coins for parking in the back of the head.
Further north, almost like a secret path, lies the West Union Covered Bridge. There is no hype, no Instagram hands, only the steady water strikers below it, and a sign that indicates that entering the bridge deck is only allowed on foot. I spent a few hours there because I just wanted to enjoy the silence – a rare luxury in today's loud world.
If you have enough of wood and water, it is worth a trip to Turkey Run State Park. The ravines there are really impressive, and I almost like a 19th explorer. The century felt when I walked down the “Sugar Creek Canyon”. The parking lot at the entrance is large enough, but on hot summer days it can be filled quickly, so prefer to be there early. The way to the viewpoints is well marked, and the visitor center has a few nice brochures that you don't have to grab right away.
A little further west, almost in the shadow of the same mountains, lies the Shades State Park. There are not only hiking trails, but also via ferratas that are a challenge for experienced climbers. I spent a few hours climbing over the rock formations, and the feeling when you get up and see the wide landscape is simply unpaid. The parking lot is small, so better to bring a little patience if you don't get a seat in the first run.
An absolute must for railway fans is the Rockville Bridge, the huge steel structure that spans the Wabash River. I stood there with a coffee in my hand and watched the trains that rolled over the bridge like huge metal snakes. It's not a museum, it's a living piece of engineering. The small parking lot at the foot of the bridge is usually free, except when a local festival takes place nearby.
The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival is the annual spectacle that transforms the region into a colorful mess of crafts, live music and of course bridge admiration. I was there last October and lost myself between the stands, while I tried to find the best caramel apple – a real pale man's mouse if you like the sweet scent of corn bread and grill meat. Parking is a nightmare this day because everyone tries to get a place close to the main stage.
A little away from the known paths lies the Wabash River Canoeing at Rockville Dam. I rented a kayak there and enjoyed the calm water surface while the sun glittered over the trees. Access is free, but the boat rental ship closes early, so better before calling to make sure a canoe is still free. The parking lot is small, but enough if you don't get too late.
Whether you are looking for cracking wooden bridges, wild river valleys or a festival full of local peculiarities – the surroundings of Rockville have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. These Rockville Sights show that the heart of Indiana consists not only of corn fields, but of stories that are best experienced by yourself.
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