This Marvelous Hotel At Indiana's Oldest State Park Is Surrounded By Canyons And Cliffs
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published November 22, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
If you want to enjoy all the comforts of home but still get cozy with the outdoors, we’ve a got a getaway for you. Nothing gets you closer to nature than a stay at this state park hotel.
Canyons, cliffs, waterfalls, and many other natural wonders abound here. Check it out:
The interesting history of Canyon Inn is deeply rooted to that of McCormick's Creek State Park. This gorgeous hotel sits on the grounds of a former sanitarium that serviced wealthy citizens in need of healing.
The land was purchased by Dr. Frederick Denkewalter in 1888 for his sanitarium as the area offered tranquil views of gorgeous nature. Residents hiked the grounds and had picnics near the canyon. After the physician passed in 1914, his property was sold to the state and Owen County, after which McCormick's Creek State Park was established in 1916.
Around the same time this park was established, so was Canyon Inn. At first, it opened in the old sanitarium, which was all white, but the building was remolded in the 1920s to its current brick exterior.
Additional wings and rooms were added over the years. In total, there are 76 guest rooms. Each has one or two twin, queen, or king beds, and rates run between about $80 and $130 per night.
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This state park hotel is home to several excellent amenities. There is a gift shop and a swimming pool on-site as well as a television, coffee maker, and Wi-Fi in each room.
Guests of this hotel can't leave without trying a meal at the Canyon Inn Restaurant. It is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with brunch on Sundays.
The restaurant serves up classic country eats for every meal. From eggs and pancakes in the mornings to fried chicken and noodles for dinner, you'll always find something delicious.
There is so much to see and do all around this state park hotel. McCormick's Creek has more than 10 miles of hiking trails, a waterfall, caves, canyons, cliffs, and bridges. It is 1,924 acres, and some of its features were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
Canyon Inn is located at 451 McCormick Creek Park Rd., Spencer, IN 47460. Learn more about the hotel on the McCormick’s Creek State Park website and make reservations here.