About the Muskhogen Trail
The original Muskhogen Trail was open from 1960 - 1988. It used the levee between Angel Mounds and the Evansville Museum plus a loop through the farmland near the Ohio River. The trail was 13 miles long until the construction of a coal-loading dock closed part of the loop and shortened the trail to 10 miles. The construction of the I-164 Bypass ended the availability of most of the eastern section of the levee. Since 1988 the trail has been within the grounds of Angel Mounds State Historic Site.
The current Muskhogen Trail includes a hike within the Indian village area and a trail through the adjoining woods, The total is about 6 miles long. Scouts BSA members who want a 10 mile hike may hike the full trail and then repeat the section in the woods.
As the Greenway Passage (the hiking and bicycling path being built around Evansville) is extended from Evansville's riverfront toward Newburgh, hopefully the Muskhogen Trail can be reestablished as part of the Greenway between the riverfront and Angel Mounds.
Hiking Requirements
Angel Mounds charges an admission fee to the village area. Please contact Angel Mounds for current rates. Park vehicles in parking lot. Do not leave vehicles in driveway or block traffic. Parking lot closes and gates are locked promptly at 5:00pm The group must register at the desk in the Historic Site Interpretive Center; pay fees there. Members of the hiking unit must stay together. The Boy Scouts of America requires TWO adults to be in charge of a Scout group outing. Long pants and shoes with socks are advised for protection from poison ivy. Take nothing from the site. Pick no plants; take no rock; disturb no animals. Please help to keep the trail clean! We suggest that each person carry a bottle of water and check afterwards for ticks. The trails outside of Angel Mounds are used by runners and bicyclists share the trail and be courteous to other guests.
Awards
The original trail was established in 1960 by the Boy Scouts of Troop 1 at the Methodist Temple, Evansville, IN. the revised trail was established in 1988 by the same troop, then numbered 301. Since 1960, thousands of people have enjoyed hiking the Muskhogen Trail. For those who would like tangible evidence that they have waled the trail, the following awards are available. (You do not need to be a member of the Boy Scouts of America to purchase awards of enjoy the trail). The order form is available on the color brochure of the Muskhogen Trail.
Muskohgen Trail Medal - $7.00
This medal is struck from a die prepared exclusively for the Muskhogen Trail. The medal is bronze; the ribbon is green and white. It is pictured in larger detail on the front side of the color brochure.
Muskhogen Trail Tomahawk - $3.00
For the avid hiker, this "repeater pin" is awarded for hikes other than the first one. The bronze tomahawk is worn pinned to the ribbon of the medal.
Muskhogen Trail Patch - $4.00
This colorful, arrowhead-shaped patch includes a button-loop at the top. It me be ordered instead of or in addition to the medal or tomahawk.
Resources:
Rank Requirements (that can be completed on the trail for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA)
Brochure (with map and award order form)
GPX File (upload to a GPS device for turn by turn navigation)
Medal
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Tomahawk Pin
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Patch
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