Indiana’s high point is Hoosier Hill located 13 miles north of Richmond, Ind., and our stop on our drive along Interstate 70 going east. It is not that high, and you won’t get altitude sickness, but it is an easy way to mark off the list of the high points.
This high point is close to a historic site that was an important stop on the Underground Railroad.
Hoosier Hill
Indiana’s highest point at elevation is 1,257 feet and is located in a wooded area near some cornfields.
It is located on private property, but you are allowed to visit it. A short walk leads to the high point.
The area around the high point includes a bench, a large cairn stone marking the elevation, and a post box for signing in that you made it to the highest point. The area also has a fire pit.
There are also two small trails with one leading into the woods and another to a corn field.
Picnic Lunch
We had a picnic using the tables and it was a perfect shaded spot. Nearby is an Amish shop with a deli — Fountain Acres Foods — in Fountain City where we bought sandwiches along with other snacks. It is worth checking out if you are in the area.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday; 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturday and closed Sundays.
Address: 1140 Whitewater Rd, Fountain City, IN 47341
HIGH POINT DRIVING DETAILS:
Driving from the West: Take Interstate 70 to exit 151 north of Richmond, Ind., then go north on U.S. Highway 27 and make a right onto Arba Pike then a right turn on Bethel Road. Then a left onto Elliott Road and look for a gravel pull-off by a small sign for the highest point. It is about 5 hours from St. Louis and we did it on our way going out east since it was not far off the interstate.
Driving From the East: You can take exit 153 and go north Indiana highway 227 then make a left onto Bethel Road and then a right onto Elliott Road.
Address: 11951 Elliott Rd, Lynn, IN 47355
Levi and Catherine Coffin Historic Site (Nearby Hoosier Hill)
A part of the legendary Underground Railroad for fleeing slaves of pre-Civil War days. A registered National Historic Landmark constructed in a Federal-style brick home built in 1839.
Levi and Catharine Coffin were legendary for helping many former slaves escape to freedom in the North. Levi is often referred to as the President of the Underground Railroad.
So successful was the Coffin sanctuary that, while in Newport, not a single slave failed to reach freedom. One of the many slaves who hid in the Coffin home was “Eliza”, whose story is told in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
The site is a registered National Historic Landmark and operated by the Indiana State Museum.
The Amish restaurant that I mentioned earlier is nearby in the village on the southside.
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10 am- 5 pm, Closed Mondays
Admission: Adults $10, Senior $8, Youth $5, children under 3 – free
Address: 201 US-27, Fountain City, IN 47341
GOING TO MORE HIGH POINTS
High Point Ohio: Campbell Hill
At 1,549 feet above sea level, Campbell Hill is the highest point in Ohio and is located about 60 miles northwest of Columbus.
Missouri’s High Point- Taum Sauk
Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is where you hike to the highest point in the state and the highest wet weather waterfall and continue down to the rock formation of Devil’s Tollgate.
Driving to the Highest Point in Iowa
Surrounded by cornfields on a windswept hill stands Hawkeye Point, the highest natural point in Iowa at 1,670 feet.
Throwback Highest Point: Rhode Island
We’ve gone to some of the other high points including Jerimoth Hill in Rhode Island. I did this with my son when he was a toddler and we were out on the East Coast.
Address:
Jerimoth Hill, Foster, RI 02825
Exploring Indianapolis
Kiss the bricks is a tradition we learned at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and was part of our weekend getaway in Indianapolis. The city is about three and half hours away from St. Louis and has a number of fun things to do for a family.
I just learned something I didn’t know about Indiana.
/Hoosier/