Indiana hiking continues to impress me weekend after weekend! The Yellow Birch Ravine didn’t disappoint! This places is located near Taswell Indiana and is off a small secluded road just south of town. This hike has all the highlights – waterfalls, streams, plenty of paths, and tons of trees. I’ll hit some of the more cool things I saw along the way and share some pictures so you know what to expect on your next Indiana hiking trip.
Useful Links
Pros
- Gorgeous well worn hiking trail
- Many waterfalls and streams along path
- Easy walking except for stream crossings
Cons
- Small parking area – get there early!
- Slippery rocks and lots of water can cause slips and falls
- Several different trails to get lost on
Yellow Birch – Hidden Gem in Hoosier National Forest
Hoosier National Forest continues to have many hidden gems and full of great hiking trails across southern Indiana. Yellow Birch Ravine hiking area is among those! The trail is spectacular. To start off, the parking area is very small and you will probably have to park along the street if the 3-4 spots are taken in the gravel parking area. The trail starts from here and you immediately start following the stream up the ravine.
A small waterfall and the stream along the Yellow Birch Ravine trail. 
The stream in Yellow Birch Ravine.
The trail is about 1 mile direct to the back of the ravine but you will want to stop at all the different pretty stops along the way. The first stop is the stream which the trail follows for the majority of the trail. The creek has a flat rock bottom and the stream was only a few inches deep. It ran quietly through the forest which was a nice ambiance for the forest. I stopped and enjoyed the water several times to get pictures and just enjoy the environment.
There is a split in the trail about halfway up the trail and you can decide to go up the cliffs or stay along the creek. I decided to stay along the stream and that didn’t disappoint. Small cliffside waterfalls and streams were on both sides of the ravine and I took my time to investigate each new and small waterfall from the cliffs. There was a larger waterfall about 0.75 miles up the trail to stop and enjoy. It included a small cavern area behind the waterfall to climb up and see the fall from the side. There were several other trickles of water off the cliffs as you walk along the trail.
The Big Yellow Birch Ravine Reveal – Double Waterfall!
The trail ends at the start of the stream which is the end of a tall double waterfall! The double waterfall forms from a split in the stream right before the water flow over the cliff rocks. It doesn’t disappoint and the day I trekked there was ample water flow over the rocks it moved the air and cooled everything. There is plenty to enjoy when you reach the end and I was able to walk behind the waterfall here too and get all angles of the ravine and waterfall.
The double waterfall at the end of the Yellow Birch Ravine Trail. 
The double waterfall at the end of the Yellow Birch Ravine trail and the cove behind the falls.
This hike rocks! It is also only about 80 miles from Evansville Indiana and well worth a day trip or quick hike if you’re driving through the area. You should be prepared to park along the road or get there early to beat the spring and summer crowd. I would also be ready to swim but water flow may vary throughout the summer. It’s an easy hike, it has awesome views, and ample waterfalls and streams throughout the entire ravine. Hoosier National Forest and the Yellow Birch Ravine won’t soon be forgotten! Go!
Trail Quality
Difficulty (Easy to Hard)
Things to See
Access & Parking (Poor to Good)
It is approximately 1 mile one-way.
No, Yellow Birch Ravine is a state forest preserve but much of the surrounding land is Hoosier National Forest.
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