Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is a national memorial run by the National Park Service in Indiana.

In the park service’s words

Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here. Explore Lincoln's boyhood and learn about the boy who would one day become the leader of our nation.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Visit Lincoln Living Historical Farm (10 to 30 Minutes): Lincoln Living Historical Farm is a working pioneer homestead with a log cabin, outbuildings, split rail fences, livestock, gardens and field crops. Rangers dressed in period clothing perform a variety of activities typical of daily life in the 1820s.
• Be A Lincoln Boyhood Junior Ranger (60 to 90 Minutes): The Junior Ranger program helps kids get involved and learn more about Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Anyone can become a Junior Ranger by completing activities during a visit to the park.
• Stop by the Memorial Visitor Center (30 to 60 Minutes): Start Your Experience at the Memorial Visitor Center The Visitor Center is your entrance into the visitor experience at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Park staff and volunteers will be located at the front desk to greet and orient you to the park. Allow at least 45 minutes to tour the Memorial Halls, Museum and wat
• Watch the Park Film: Forging Greatness; Lincoln in Indiana (14 Minutes): A 14-minute interpretive film tells of the boyhood of Abraham Lincoln, who grew up to become the 16th President of the United States.
• Hike the Trail of Twelve Stones (10 to 20 Minutes): The Trail of Twelve Stones is a unique way to review some of the major events in Abraham Lincoln's life. Beginning just east of the Cabin Site Memorial, twelve historic stones area are arranged in chronological order at irregular intervals. Small bronze tablets, located near each stone, briefly explain the events in Li
• Hike the Boyhood Trail (10 to 15 Minutes): Walk along the same ground that Abraham Lincoln did when he was a boy growing into a young man.
• Visit the Lincoln In Indiana Museum (15 to 30 Minutes): The park museum is housed in the Memorial Visitor Center which was completed in 1943. This space is self-guided and contains twelve exhibits that explore the life of Abraham Lincoln.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. Park Grounds and Trails are open year-round. For Memorial Visitor Center Hours see Visitor Center tab below. The Memorial Visitor Center is open certain hours and days with some exceptions (generally open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and closes between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm Wednesday through Sunday).

Getting there

From the east or west - From Interstate 64, exit onto US 231, (exit 57A). Travel south on US 231 to Indiana Highway 162. Take the Santa Claus/Gentryville exit. Turn west (right) on Indiana Highway 162; go 1-1/2 miles to the park entrance on the right. From the north or south - From US 231 take the Santa Claus/Gentryville exit. Turn west on Indiana Highway 162; go 1-1/2 miles to the park entrance on the right.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Memorial Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:00AM - 3:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 3:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 3:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 3:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 3:00PM. The Memorial Visitor Center is closed Noon, 1 pm. The park is in the Central Time Zone. The Memorial Visitor Center is closed Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day and Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Weather

Southern Indiana has a moderate climate, characterized by warm, yet moist conditions. Summers are usually warm, and winters cool. Much of the area's average 46 inches of precipitation falls in spring, the rainiest season.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Mammoth Cave, about 81 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.