Park gates may be closed after 11 p.m. during the on-season. Day-use areas are open sunrise to sunset.

Directions: From I-44 Exit 214, go south on Rt. H, through Leasburg, for a total of about 7 miles.

The PINE GROVE at the northwest side of the large visitor center parking lot should be checked for Pine and Yellow-throated Warbler and a good mix of small birds in any season. BLUE HERON TRAIL (paved) runs along the north side of Spring Lake to the campground. It passes the natural entrance to the cave and goes over the 1880s-built dam and millrace.

Along this trail in migration and breeding season the observant birder may find a spectrum of species representative of the potential of the park: Wood Duck, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler and Common Yellowthroat, Red-winged Blackbird, Summer and Scarlet Tanager, and Orchard Oriole. Beavers, muskrats and river otters may distract even the most focused birder.

The primitive (tent) campground is an open area with good views into an almost savanna-like array of trees. There is a concrete parking area. Near it are large rocks at a graveled area. From the rocks, a wide cut may be walked to the river’s edge and a gravel bar to watch for herons, kingfishers and swallows.

A slow drive or walk through the main campground (parking available at a couple of points) can be productive for spotting creek-loving species. Unoccupied campsites give opportunities to check the creek for them.

The half-mile Blue Heron Trail is concrete, with a very gentle slope, going from the visitor center parking area along Spring Lake, passing wooded hillsides and rocky cliff, giving easy access to very good birding.

AMPHITHEATER TRAIL is graveled. This short trail begins near the showerhouse parking area and provides an easily walked peek into the woodland habitat found along the Deer Run Trail (the amphitheater trail goes by the trailhead). Sitting quietly in the amphitheater for a few minutes is likely to result in good views of feeding flocks or individual foragers.

DEER RUN TRAIL is a loop of about 2.75 miles. Start at the showerhouse parking area near the amphitheater. It is a short way to a split. Go right for the gentlest uphill route. The first part is mostly north-facing dolomite based woodland. Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireo, tanagers, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo are likely along this portion in spring and summer.

OAK RIDGE TRAIL is a hilly 3-mile loop through habitats similar to those of the slightly less rugged Deer Run Trail. The same bird species can be expected. There is a .8 mile connecter between these two trails.