I hiked in 200 counties within a 210 mile radius of Indy in 2020-2021. These 10 are my favorites in the roughly 2 hour driving range (110-160 miles) out of 70 counties visited.
Allerton Park is located 15 miles west of Champaign, IL. The formal gardens are the highlight. Typical central Illinois woods and streams trails are also on the property. Combine this with the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve and Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens in Mahomet, just NW of Champaign.
The Patoka Lake area includes 26,000 acres south of French Lick and east of Jasper, IN. The 6 mile main trail hike to Totem Rock is one highlight in this heavily wooded and rugged part of southern Indiana. The trip down IN-37 from Bloomington to Bedford to Paoli is quite scenic. Then, the fun begins in the most scenic part of the state SW to Patoka Lake. Combine this hike with the Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest in Paoli.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/patoka-lake/
The Pumpkinvine Trail stretches for 25 miles, connecting the scenic and historic small communities of Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana. The trail cuts through these towns and across scenic farming areas. This is Amish Country, east of Elkhart, IN. Combine this with a visit to Chain o Lakes State Park (east) or Potato Creek State Park (west).
Gabis Arboretum is located just west of Valparaiso, IN. The arboretum is built around a small lake and stream. A hiking trail covers this area, a small prairie and a pine woods. The site also contains an outdoor model train with complementary plantings. Indiana Dunes is 20 miles to the north.
Pokagon State Park is in the glaciated “kettle” lakes region of NE Indiana. Hiking trails cover the lake shore, wetlands, streams and small hills. Combine this with a trip to Douglas Woods Nature Preserve 20 miles to the south or Chain o Lakes State Park 45 miles to the SW.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/pokagon-state-parktrine-state-recreation-area/
Jackson-Washington State Forest is located just west of Seymour, IN. It doesn’t get the attention or traffic of Brown County to the northwest or the Hoosier National Forest to the southwest, but it provides the same back woods scenery and changes of elevation found on the Knobstone Trail to the south!
https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/jackson-washington-state-forest/
Bernheim Arboretum and Forest is located 25 miles south of Louisville. You’ll see the hills start to grow as you pass the Louisville airport on I-65. This park displays a variety of trees and offers hiking trails around lakes and hills. It also displays “the Giants”, a family of woodland creatures found only here. This is bourbon country, Jim Beam is across the street. Combine this hike with a visit to Yew Dell Botanical Gardens east of Louisville or the Falls of the Ohio State Park in Jeffersonville, OH.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is located 25 miles north of Cincinnati in Hamilton, OH. Hike the roads and trails to visit hundreds of outdoor sculptures. This is a hilly area, so the hiking is good. Combine this with a visit to Mt Airy Park and the Cincinnati Zoo or Twin Creek Park 25 miles NE or Hueston Woods State Park 20 miles to the NW.
Visit John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve along the scenic Little Miami River 25 miles east of Dayton. The water cuts a true “gorge” through the landscape, quite unexpected in this relatively flat area of central Ohio. Visit Wright-Patterson AFB 14 miles to the west or Charleston Falls 30 miles to the WNW.
https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/john-bryan-state-park
Charleston Falls Preserve is located just 15 miles north of Dayton and east of its airport. The falls is suprisingly large. The stream and woods trails are enjoyable. Pair this with Clifton Gorge or nearby Taylorsville Metro Park.
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