INDIANA, USA — Development for a 62.3-mile hiking trail in southern Indiana is getting a boost from the state's highest official.
In his 2023 State of the State address, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced he will award Indiana DNR $29.5 million to acquire and begin development of the 62.3-mile Monon South Trail.
Once completed, it would become the longest continuously running recreational trail in Indiana.
The Monon South Trail will follow the route of the historic Monon Railroad beginning in New Albany and run through the communities of Borden, New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Saltillo, Orleans and Mitchell.
That route includes portions of Floyd, Clark, Washington, Orange and Lawrence counties.
To jumpstart the trail’s development, the DNR will grant partners overseeing the project an additional $24 million in Next Level Trails funding to begin design, engineering and construction of portions of the trail.
Approximately 440,000 people live within 10 miles of the trail’s path.
In addition to the Monon South Trail, Next Level Trails has awarded nearly $120 million in grants to 73 projects across the state. To date, 15 projects are complete, totaling 50 miles of new trail open to the public.
As part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda, Holcomb has proposed an additional $50 million in the state budget to be directed to Next Level Trails.
Click here to view progress on other Next Level Trails projects.
