Originally part of an Army Ammunition Plant, Charlestown State Park has only been an Indiana State Park for about 20 years, after the land was given to the state. Park visitors may explore the natural beauty, hike 15 miles of trails, join fellow birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, or camp at Charlestown’s full-hookup campsite.

Jeremy Beavin, interpretive naturalist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, is a Southern Indiana native who enjoys sharing his love for nature with visitors at Charlestown State Park.

“We so often go to a zoo to see exotic animals or exotic creatures or plants from all around the world, when we have such wonderful things right here to experience,” Beavin said.

Charlestown State Park is located just eight miles east of Interstate 65 in Southern Indiana, on State Road 62.

This story is part of the Authentic Southern Indiana project, produced by the Multimedia Journalism Storytelling class at IU Southeast during Spring 2015.