There was a large crowd in the water the Saturday we visited. We didn't go in the water but I can remember as a kid that those rocks in the river can get very slippery. There is a nice wooden boardwalk that takes you most of the way back there and you can access the shut ins area on the river. We left our car in the parking lot and took the trail along the river to the shut in areas. The store is nothing fancy and we didn't notice the prices but there were snacks, soft drinks, t-shirts, post cards, etc. After walking along the river we drove further into the day use area to the area around the park store. The new day use area was very nice with lots of informational signs especially along the Black River which runs through it. We live 2 hours away and remember very well the devastating flood the park had in 2005 when a reservoir high above failed and basically took out the park. My husband and I had not been to this park since we were kids in the 1960's. This is a great park for just about anyone! Highly recommend! We thought it was a nice touch! Oh and how can I forget the perfection of sitting on the front porch of the cabin in the morning, overlooking a small pond, and drinking coffee! Even the showers were very clean! Best showers I've ever seen or used at a park - they have great water pressure, and very warm water that lasts. There are motion sensor lights in the living room area that you can cover up with tape if that bothers you at night. We of course shared our love for the park! The cabin was very clean and the bed was much more comfortable than I expected. The cabins all have binders filled with notes and comments from previous visitors - some were so funny and some even gave recommendations in things to do in the park. All of the trails were so much fun and completely wore our two Siberian huskies out! We stayed in the cabin furthest up the hill, mostly because it's one of the few pet friendly cabins, but also because we only had one neighbor. We spent the entire weekend hiking with our two dogs and it was so fun! The main trail that takes you to the swimming area does not allow pets, so we unfortunately didn't get to spend much time there. We are from Indiana so I had no idea where he was taking me! Next year I'd like to try tent camping in one of the warmer months. Let's keep it our secret.My fiancé and I do a lot of camping and this is one of the few parks we would like to return to every year! He rented a cabin that was dog friendly for my birthday in April as a surprise. There is no service in the park and the area around it. Bring a cooler of food and drink so you can stay longer. It is not too far to walk back to the parking lot. At the very least, make sure all little ones have life jackets. Speaking of little kids, please don't try to go down the swimming hole while carrying a baby. There is an area to swim that is easier to get to. However, there is still fun to be had if you have little kids or are not a climber. The water is also surprisingly deep in some places. There is a possibility of getting hurt, mostly due to the slippery rocks. Navigating down to the swimming hole is not for the weak. Do NOT attempt to navigate the rocks barefoot or flip flops. They only let a certain amount of people in at once, so you may miss out. As an added bonus, the water is cool, but not frigid, and it is crystal clear.ġ. As others have commented, yes, the rocks are mossy and slick. I saw several struggling with the terrain. To describe it as "rugged" gets you in the ballpark, but really doesn't describe it. Do be warned that if you are not fit physically, this place is not for you. The park grounds are attractive and there are numerous picnic tables. All of these areas are within walking distance of one another. Then there is a place in the river very shallow for the littlest ones, a place that's medium, a place that's deep enough for adults to swim and submerge themselves, and a very deep place (that suddenly drops off into nothingness) where you can jump in from the rocks. Amongst the rocks you can literally sit in jet streams of water pouring off rocks behind you. Beyond that, this part of the river has everything. I had heard about Johnson's Shut-Ins for years and had a picture in my mind of the size of the rocks, etc.
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