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Description:
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In 1943, the Friar Tuck mine opened in Greene County, and until it closed 1952, was reported to have produced 3 million tons of coal. Two years later in 1945, the Redbird Coal Company began mining on the west side of Friar Tuck in Sullivan County. After producing 2 million tons of coal, Redbird closed operations in 1950.
Reclamation efforts at the time consisted of planting some pine trees and moving on. Left behind were acid lakes and extreme hills. In the 1970’s, off-highway, motorized vehicle users found the area to be a perfect place to test machinery and driving skills. As sales of Jeeps and motorcycles increased, so did unregulated activity at the area commonly known as “Redbird.”
In 1972 the Indiana Department of Natural Resources completed a report on ORV trends and environmental impacts. Based on recommendations from the report, the Natural Resources Commission adopted a policy prohibiting ORV/OHV’s on DNR properties.
After interest in the area resurfaced in 1987, 1990 and 1995, internal meetings at DNR recommended the Division of Outdoor Recreation assume the responsibility for handling a strategy for the Redbird site. In December 1996, the division reported to the Natural Resources Commission to address the issue anew. Subsequently, over 200 acres were acquired and purchase of 400 more acres is near completion. Phase I construction has begun and a management group has been formed. A first, although abbreviated, riding season at Redbird begins in 2003, sixty years after Friar Tuck opened becoming the first state owned off road park in Indiana.
Today Redbird has flourished into 800 acres of offroading enjoyment. With trails from mild to wild there is a trail that will fit anyone's skill level.
Redbird State Riding Area is near Dugger, IN.
South of Terre Haute., West of Linton and South-East of Sullivan
Redbird SRA does not have a physical address. If you are using Mapquest to plan your route, just point it to Dugger, IN or use the GPS Coordinates above.
From Linton, IN
-Heading West out of Linton, Indiana on Highway 54 towards Dugger, IN,
-2.5 miles west of the Highway 54 - 59 split turn right (North) onto 1500 West. (Approximately 5 miles west of Linton.)
-Traveling North on 1500 West, take your first gravel road to the left (West) or 350 North.
-The Main Entrance is about 1 mile West on 350 North.
From Hwy 41 (Terre Haute-Evansville)
-Take Hwy 41 to 54 East.
-Drive on 54 East until you get to Dugger, IN
-Drive through Dugger on 54 until you reach 1500 West (On Left ((North)) side of road)
Note: 1500 West is easy to miss, but it's about 2 miles East of Dugger.
-Turn Left (North) onto 1500 West
-Traveling North on 1500 West, take your first gravel road to the left (West) or 350 North.
-The Main Entrance is about 1 mile West on 350 North.
From I-70 (Brazil Exit Area) If you are coming from Indy, this is the best route.
-Get on Hwy 59 (Brazil Exit #23) and head South towards Clay City.
--Take 59 South for about 30 miles until you get to the 59-54 intersection near Linton
-Follow Directions above "From Linton"
More info about Redbird Recreational Area Greene and Sullivan Counties, Indiana:
http://www.redbirdsra.com
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