Crown Hill is the kind of cemetery that works as a park, a sculpture garden and a history lesson at the same time. Laid out in the Victorian era on rolling ground at 700 West 38th Street, it is large enough that a first visit feels like exploring a small town of winding lanes, old trees, marble angels and grand family mausoleums. The names carved on its memorials read like a roll call of Indiana history: Lilly, Riley, Ralston and Harrison all have prominent monuments, and visitors come specifically to find the graves of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president, the beloved Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley and the bank robber John Dillinger, whose modest plot draws a steady trickle of curious visitors. The centerpiece is The Crown, the highest natural hill in Marion County, where a walk to the top rewards you with a view across the city and a sense of how the cemetery was planned to be enjoyed as well as used. It is a quiet, reflective place, and a rewarding one for history lovers, photographers, birdwatchers and anyone who enjoys a long walk among mature trees. The grounds stay open every day of the year, including holidays, and there is no need to book. Treat it with the respect any working cemetery deserves, because burials and funerals still take place here.
Getting in and finding your way
The North Gate at 38th Street and Clarendon Road, which is also the cemetery office, is open daily, with longer hours from April to September than from October to March. The South Gothic Gate on Boulevard Place has shorter hours, so plan to be out before closing time, which comes earlier in winter.
Pick up or download a map before you set off, because the roads fork repeatedly and it is easy to lose your bearings. The cemetery offers a walking, hiking and biking landscape, and children and pets are welcome as long as pets are leashed.
What to prioritize
If time is short, make for The Crown first, since the climb gives you the view and puts the Riley memorial at the top of the hill within reach. From there, follow the lanes down to the Harrison family plot and then the Dillinger grave, treating each as a short stop rather than a pilgrimage.
Allow ninety minutes to two hours for an unhurried loop, longer if you want to read inscriptions and admire the mausoleums. A guided tour gives the stories behind the stones, so check the cemetery foundation's tours and events page for dates.
Planning around the weather
Autumn is the showpiece season, when the old maples and oaks turn and the light falls long across the hills. Summer is lush but warm, with little shade on the exposed summit, and winter is stark and atmospheric, though snow can make the lanes slippery. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water in warm weather and combine the visit with the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, which is only a short drive away, for a morning on the life of Indiana's one president.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk or drive through a large Victorian cemetery, with a climb to the hilltop known as The Crown.
Best time
A dry autumn morning, when the foliage is at its best and the summit view is clear.
How long
Ninety minutes to two hours for an unhurried loop.
Tips
Take a map, wear comfortable shoes, keep pets leashed and be out before the gate closes, which is earlier in winter.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers, photographers and walkers who like a quiet, atmospheric place.
- Families
- Open to children, though it is a reflective place, so keep voices down near funerals.
- Couples
- A peaceful, scenic stroll, best in autumn light.
- Pair with
- The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, or a meal on Mass Ave.
- Time needed
- Up to two hours.
Good questions
Is Crown Hill Cemetery free to visit?+
Yes, walking or driving the grounds costs nothing, and the gates are open every day including holidays.
Who is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery?+
Visitors come for the graves of President Benjamin Harrison, poet James Whitcomb Riley and the outlaw John Dillinger, among many Indiana figures. The Lilly, Riley, Ralston and Harrison memorials are prominent.
What is The Crown at Crown Hill?+
It is the highest natural hill in Marion County, with a 360-degree view across the city.
What are the opening hours at Crown Hill Cemetery?+
The North Gate is open daily, 8am to 6pm from October to March and 8am to 8pm from April to September. The South Gothic Gate is open daily, 8am to 5pm.
Can I bring children or a dog to Crown Hill Cemetery?+
Children and pets are welcome. Keep dogs on a leash and be respectful of any services in progress.
