Experience mountain biking at Versailles State Park

VERSAILLES, Ind. - Experience that feeling of the wind blowing in your hair as you fly at high speeds, the mingled scent of pine and rain, sweat on your brow and a bit of dirt in your fingernails...we're of course talking about mountain biking. 

A new mountain biking trail opened up in Versailles State Park. 

It's called the Potato Peeler Trail- a five-mile loop between Hinks Road and Hassmer Hill Road. 

Constructed by the Southeast Indiana Mountain Bike Association, SIMBA, with the help from a Next Level Trails grant of $200,000, awarded in March 2021, the trail serves as a draw to the wild outdoors marking Versailles State Park as the destination for mountain biking.

"Thanks to Next Level Trails and SIMBA, we have not only created a significant connection between the park and the town, but also expanded the already extensive trail system," said the DNR Director Dan Bortner.

As part of Gov. Holcomb's Next Level Connections initiative, Next Level Trails, NLT, provides the largest trail funding in state history.

The $180 million program aims to form connections between Hoosier communities via trails.

Making true on their promise, so far NLT has given $150 million to 75 projects across the state including 22 completed projects, opening seventy-five new trails to the public and forty trail miles under construction. 

Learn more about Next Level Trails here. 

These versatile trails are open for hiking and trail running as well as mountain biking.

Riders can obtain at $5 daily pass or $20 annual pass at the Versailles State Park gate, park office or website. 

Next time you're in the beautiful rolling hills of southeastern Indiana, stop by Indiana's second-largest state park, and enjoy a bout of nature that's good for your soul.