Campbellsburg and Pekin Celebrate Monon South Trail Openings

Photos by Nathaniel Smith.

Two Washington County towns officially joined Indiana’s growing trail network on Friday, June 20, as ribbon cutting ceremonies were held for new Monon South Trail trailheads in Campbellsburg and Pekin.

Cutting the ribbon in Pekin.

The first ceremony took place at 10:00 a.m. in Campbellsburg, where officials and residents gathered to celebrate the completion of a 3.5-mile stretch that now connects Campbellsburg and Saltillo. A second event was held later that day at 2:00 p.m. in Pekin. These were the sixth and final ribbon cuttings associated with Phase 1A of the Monon South Trail, bringing the total open trail mileage to 20 miles—all constructed since July 2024.

With Friday’s additions, Campbellsburg and Pekin join Mitchell, Orleans, Borden, and Salem as local communities with established trailheads along the corridor.

Madalynn Conner, Chief of Staff for Indiana DNR

Madalynn Conner, Chief of Staff for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), emphasized the broader importance of trails. “Trails represent so much more than dirt, asphalt, and crushed stone," said Conner. "Trails provide our connection to the outdoors, to our communities, and to one another."

Conner noted that the DNR played a key role in securing the full 62.3-mile Monon South corridor from CSX, acquiring the land on behalf of Radius Indiana and the City of New Albany.

The trailhead in Campbellsburg will feature a misting station, benches, shade structures, and a mobile phone charging station.

She also highlighted the scale of state investment in Indiana’s trail network, citing $180 million in statewide trail funding—the largest dedicated trail funding effort in state history. That funding, along with $1 million from Indiana’s Ready One program, helped make the Monon South project possible.

Conner explained that of the 89 trail projects supported by the DNR, 44 are now complete and 21 are under construction.

“When the Monon South Trail is complete and officially takes the title of Indiana's longest recreational trail, Hoosiers in eight communities across five counties, plus the 440,000 people who live within ten miles of the trail's path, will benefit," she said, "from the new gem in their backyard."

Washington County Community Foundation Director Judy Johnson, who was instrumental in the trail's construction through Washington County.

"Once upon a time, the Monon rail line connected our towns through commerce and travel," said WCCF Director Judy Johnson. "Today, it connects us in a new way, through health, recreation, and shared moments."