Trails of Delphi Indiana – Part I | Travel With Cajunville

Riding our bikes along towpaths used by mules and horses which towed canal boats, for us, is historic enjoyment. Being in this place, in this time period, allows us to picture the scene from the 1800s. It stirs the imagination and brings you back to a time when transportation was experienced at a much slower pace.Bicycling is a favorite of ours and we are always searching out trails. Our favorites are Rails to Trails although easy trail access is important. After Montague, MI and its

by our RV site, we were searching for another similar park. Our next stop was Delphi, IN’s Canal Park with bike trails from the park.

Every once in a while we run across that almost perfect RV park, small enough to be personal, great location (mountain, lake, ocean, stream or bike path), quiet, shaded…it just fits. Enter Canal Park, IN on the Wabash & Erie canal. With only three full hookup sites and a few with just electricity and water, a dedicated bike trail passes through the park. Great for just relaxing or an energetic bike ride mostly along the old canal.

This historic trail system covers over ten miles of groomed trails. Some are crushed limestone others are packed dirt and all lead to interesting places. Some trails in Canal Park were once towpaths used by mules and horses pulling canal boats. The Underhill Towpath Trail, .9 mile, passes by Canal Park and gives access to all buildings and events at the park. Founders Towpath Trail, .5 mile, passes the restored 1873 red iron bridge and ends at Founders Point. Here you can view the “tumble” from Delphi Limestone Company’s diversion pumps. It is said million gallons of water tumbles from here.

Red Iron Bridge

From Founders Point, we picked up Draper North End Trail, .5 mile, and leads to Riley City Trail. The trail passes the 1850 lime kilns. It is said these lime products were some of the best in the country. The trail also passes the restored 1873 Paint Creek iron bridge. Along the trail is the canal boat turnaround as well as the boathouse.

Boathouse

From the park in the opposite direction the trail leads to VanScoy Towpath Trail, 1.0 mile. This trail is said to have the most beautiful part of the trails, especially near the Wabash River. The trail ends at “Sunset Point” where Deer Creek meet the Wabash River. This was a point where canal boats could cross Deer Creek without an aqueduct due to the Deer Creek Dam. Obear Millrace Trail, .6 mile, is an offshoot of VanScoy. On our way back from “Sunset Point”, we took Obear Millrace where we had views of the Wabash River and then met up again with VanScoy.

Sunset Point

These trails were fun to ride although some areas were very narrow. At the time we rode there were also muddy areas. None of that mattered. What mattered is we were riding the paths that mules and horses as well as men walked and worked many, many years ago. History was everywhere and we could not help but sense the past.

Happy travels and many adventures along your journey.