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Jason “Deep Dive” Lord • • About the Author
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Indiana Rail-Trail Escapes: Kil-So-Quah & Cardinal Greenway Ride

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Indiana Rail-Trail Escapes: Kil-So-Quah & Cardinal Greenway Ride

🚲 Indiana Rail-Trail Escapes: From Kil-So-Quah Campfires to Cardinal Greenway Rides

🎙️ Introduction: The Mistaken Identity of Muncie

Let’s clear this up: Muncie is in Indiana, not Ohio. That small correction kicks off a big adventure. In this guide, we walk through the joys of slow travel—mixing campfire simplicity, rail-trail rides, and a few weird Indiana discoveries—based on a real stay at Kil-So-Quah S.R.A. and a full Cardinal Greenway ride.

🏕️ Camping at Kil-So-Quah — Site 33 and the FCFS Life

Located along Huntington Lake, Kil-So-Quah S.R.A. features 41 electric and 20 primitive first-come, first-served sites. Our chosen base: Site 33.

  • Electric hook-ups (20/30/50 amp)
  • Fire ring and picnic table
  • Boat ramp nearby, pit toilets, pet-friendly
  • Known issues: muddy pads, nearby gun range noise, occasional flooding

🧭 Park Comparisons

CampgroundFCFSElectricNotes
Kil-So-Quah✅YesLakefront, flexible arrival
Mounds State Park❌YesBusy, family-friendly
Westwood Park✅SomeQuiet, well-reviewed
Clark & Salamone River Forest✅NoPrimitive, rustic

🔌 Essential Gear Loadout

We tested and recommend the following gear for comfort and performance:

🚴 Cardinal Greenway Ride

At 62 miles long, the Cardinal Greenway is Indiana’s longest rail trail. Our route:

  • Start: Gaston Trailhead (avoids road gap)
  • Destination: Muncie
  • Round Trip: 50 miles total

Highlights include:

  • Historic Weiser Street Depot (1901)
  • White River Bridge with truss views
  • Optional White River Greenway 5.6-mile loop

⚠️ Safety Tips & Trail Notes

  • Watch for construction detours (2025 alert)
  • Use caution at busy Muncie intersections
  • Class 1 & 2 e-bikes allowed (20mph limit)

🧩 Quirky Discoveries Along the Way

  • 🤖 "Fruit Earth Rovers" — mystery research bots?
  • 🌳 Smiley-face tree carved into a trail-side trunk
  • 🪧 Goose crossing signage (often ignored by geese)
  • 🧱 Razor-wire fencing at a dive training center
  • 📏 Trail markers reading 112.5 on a 62-mile trail

💰 Trail Support & Community

The Cardinal Greenway is maintained by a nonprofit foundation. Ways to support:

  • Buy official trail merchandise
  • Make a donation online
  • Volunteer during cleanup weekends

✅ Final Itinerary Summary

  1. Arrive at Kil-So-Quah S.R.A., claim Site 33
  2. Set up camp and charge devices with Yeti power station
  3. Ride 25 miles south to Muncie from Gaston Trailhead
  4. Explore trail bridges, depot, and scenic detours
  5. Return to camp, cook with Dutch oven, stargaze

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