Hiking – West Central Ohio

November 9, 2021November 9, 2021 tomkapostasyLeave a comment

2 miles of forest trails west of Lima, OH.

Hermon Woodlands Metro Park (Elida) - 2021 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Click to access Hermon-Woodlands-Park-Map_2020.pdf

Sections of the Miami & Erie Canal towpath are open for hiking. The area from St. Mary’s north is attractive.

http://www.htparks.org/the-towpath-trail

Small impounded lake northeast from Dayton. A little more rolling hills than expected.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/kiser-lake-state-park

Short hike in a unique environment that feels like you’re surrounded.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/gallagher-fen-state-nature-preserve

5 miles of trails at this mid-sized impounded lake. The view of the spillover to the west is interesting.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/buck-creek-state-park

2 miles of varied prairie, wetland and farm trails northwest from Dayton. A historic log house is featured.

http://www.darkecountyparks.org/shawnee-prairie-preserve-nature-center

Moderately challenging horse trails west of a large impounded lake, north of Columbus.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/alum-creek-state-park

Large park system with many attractive hiking options west of Columbus.

Battelle Darby Creek

1 mile of old growth forest trail east of Lima, OH.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/lawrence-woods-state-nature-preserve

Hike the lakeshore of this highly commercialized natural lake north of Dayton.

https://www.indianlake.com/

1 mile trail at small impounded lake west of Columbus.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/madison-lake-state-park

Short trails in a community park adjacent to the historic Ft. Recovery, north of Richmond, IN.

https://www.fortrecovery.org/ambassador-park

Waterfalls hike near Dayton.

https://www.miamicountyparks.com/parks/charleston

Short trails at an impounded lake north of Dayton.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/lake-loramie-state-park

2+ miles of trails in a diverse nature preserve northwest from Columbus.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/big-darby-headwaters-nature-preserve/

Hiking – North Central Kentucky

November 6, 2021November 6, 2021 tomkapostasyLeave a comment

Rolling hills, Ohio River views, lakes, forests and small towns east of Louisville.

Privately owned sculpture park in a rolling hills setting.

2019 Josephine Sculpture Park Fall Arts Festival – Visit Frankfort – Official Travel Guide for Frankfort, Kentucky

https://josephinesculpturepark.org/

Short (moderately challenging) hiking trails at this historic lodge sight, NE of Louisville high above the Ohio River.

https://parks.ky.gov/carrollton/parks/historic/general-butler-state-resort-park

Series of stream valley and highlands trails in Frankfurt, KY.

https://www.frankfortparksandrec.com/Parks/Cove_Spring/cove_spring.html

Historic Ohio River town, SE of Cincinnati.

https://www.cityofwarsawky.org/index.html

Short river valley walk in a community park.

Green River Park and Arboretum

Walk historic Main Street with the railroad tracks and Wilborn Park in LaGrange, NE of Louisville.

https://www.lagrangeky.net/parks.html

Moderately rugged hiking in this nature preserve east of Elizabethtown, KY.

https://eec.ky.gov/Nature-Preserves/Locations/Pages/Vernon-Douglas.aspx

Walk Main Street, residential neighborhoods and this state park in historic Harrodsburg, KY.

https://parks.ky.gov/harrodsburg/parks/historic/old-fort-harrod-state-park

Hike the trails around this community park/fairground in a scenic area midway between Louisville and Cincinnati.

https://www.owencountyky.us/parks-rec

Higher traffic, series of developed trails just east of metro Louisville.

The Parklands on Twitter: "ALERT: In response to COVID-19, The Parklands has closed the PNC Achievement Center in Beckley Creek Park and all education programming is postponed. Other amenities remain open. More

Beckley Creek Park

Extensive multi-purpose trail system around an impounded lake SE of Louisville.

Louisville District > Missions > Civil Works > Recreation > Lakes > Taylorsville Lake

https://parks.ky.gov/mount-eden/parks/recreation/taylorsville-lake-state-park

Small cemetery overlooking Ohio River across from Madison, IN.

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/75156/moffett-cemetery

Visit the museum and walk the disc golf course an hour SE of Louisville in scenic area.

https://parks.ky.gov/springfield/parks/historic/lincoln-homestead-state-park

Hiking – WNW Indiana

November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 tomkapostasyLeave a comment

Surprisingly diverse and steep hiking options in this area in addition to the classics.

Guide to Turkey Run State Park in Indiana

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/shades-state-park/

Bring your compass and binoculars to explore this marshy bird sanctuary.

https://indianabirdingtrail.com/pages/pine-creek-game-bird-habitat-area-birding-opportunities

Enjoy the forest, prairie and valley areas of this suburban Indy rail-trail. (Starkey Park)

https://www.zionsville-in.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/4

Woods oasis surrounded by farmland, typical of central Indiana.

Click to access Bryan-color.pdf

Portland Arch on the border with Illinois is a hiking and scenic highlight.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/portland-arch-1/

Diverse hiking and scenery in a small town west of Indy.

Hendricks County Parks and Recreation - Home | Facebook

https://www.visithendrickscounty.com/listings/mccloud-nature-park/186/

Short, but interesting local trail. (Sugar Creek)

https://www.crawfordsville.net/topic/subtopic.php?topicid=4&structureid=13

Short woods trails from the campgrounds at Raccoon Lake.

https://indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/raccoon-lake/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IN&parkId=570029

A short, challenging hike with unique views.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/fern-cliff/

Hiking trails provide nice views of this highly visited wetlands area.

https://www.homeofpurdue.com/things-to-do/nature-and-outdoors/celery-bog-nature-area/

Forest Glen Preserve south of the Vermillion River and Danville, IL.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Glen_Preserve

Short hike down a rock solid stream bed (temporarily closed)

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/fall-creek-gorge/

Forest edge and bottomlands hike.

https://nicheslandtrust.org/properties/warren-county/weiler-leopold-nature-reserve

Hiking – SW Ohio

November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 tomkapostasyLeave a comment

There are some nice hikes in the Cincinnati area, but heading further north and east provides outstanding options.

Wetlands, a creek and rural roads await east from Cincinnati.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/indian-creek-wildlife-area

Large sculpture park with hilly hiking trails north of Cincinnati.

https://www.pyramidhill.org/

Impounded lake, some hiking trails along the edge and into the surrounding forest/wetlands, just east of Cincinnati metro area.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/stonelick-state-park

Impounded lake, camping and trails near Wilmington, OH.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/cowan-lake-state-park

Larger impounded lake, trails and a lodge, southwest of Columbus.

https://www.deercreekparklodge.com/

Hiking this stream bed is outstanding, up close and personal.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/john-bryan-state-park

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/clifton-gorge-state-nature-preserve

Scenic and challenging trails just NW from downtown Cincinnati.

Mt. Airy Forest | West Cincinnati | Outdoors & Recreation, Biking & Walking Paths, Parks/Green Spaces, Recreational Activities

https://www.cincinnatiparks.com/west/mt-airy-forest/

Barret’s Rim Trail is a favorite, but this whole area is full of scenic hikes.

https://arcofappalachia.org/highlands-nature-sanctuary/

https://arcofappalachia.org/wildflower-pilgrimage-barretts-rim/

Extensive trails and views near Dayton.

Twin Creek

Larger state park, lake and lodge with surrounding trails.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hueston-woods-state-park

Relatively challenging trails up to the top of these knobs on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains.

https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/great-seal-state-park

Trails from the museum cover stream valleys and the historic mound works.

https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/museum-and-site-locator/fort-ancient-earthworks

Hiking – WSW Indiana

November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 tomkapostasyLeave a comment

Relatively rugged and remote hiking southwest from Indianapolis.

Indiana’s newest state forest in rugged Brown County.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/mountain-tea-state-forest/

Hike the gravel roads of this largely undeveloped FWA near Terre Haute.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/properties/chinook-fwa/

A hiker’s paradise with many moderately challenging trails.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/morgan-monroe-state-forest/

Hike the more remote horse trails on the southern part of this heavily wooded state park.

Owen-Putnam State Forest | Bloomington Indiana | Tourism | Ecotour | Nature | Scenic | Environment

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/owen-putnam-state-forest/

Nice trails surround the lakes on this relatively developed state park south of Terre Haute.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/shakamak-state-park/

Follow the western bank of the Wabash River near Terre Haute.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/properties/wabashiki-fwa/

Horse trails and gravel roads throughout this area that was once filled with coal mines.

Best Trails in Greene-Sullivan State Forest | AllTrails

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/greene-sullivan-state-forest/

Hiking – NW Kentucky

November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 tomkapostasyLeave a comment

Rolling hills, boating lakes, arboretums and community parks in this area from Louisville SW.

One of several camping parks oriented towards boaters along the Rough River 45 miles SW of Louisville, KY.

https://www.campgroundreviews.com/regions/kentucky/mc-daniels/north-fork-park-rough-river-lake-11426

Arboretum, hiking trails and “giants” just south of Louisville as “Bourbon Country” begins.

Home

One mile nature trail in this Owensboro, KY community park and access to a 15 mile loop trail.

https://www.joefordnaturecenter.com/

Follow the lake ridge nature trail. Southeast of Owensboro, KY.

https://parks.ky.gov/falls-rough/parks/resort/rough-river-dam-state-resort-park

Nice short hike around this Hawesville community park/lake, high above the Ohio River.

https://www.hancockky.us/Tourism/vastwood.htm

Community park featuring a creek, war memorial and trails around a lake.

Affordable & Free Places In Elizabethtown Kentucky You Need To Explore

https://elizabethtownky.org/elizabethtown-nature-park/

Outstanding museum and forest trails across the Ohio River from Evansville in Henderson, KY.

Henderson Tourist Commission – 8 Ways To Enjoy John James Audubon State Park

https://parks.ky.gov/henderson/parks/historic/john-james-audubon-state-park

Basic hiking paths in this large, multi-purpose Louisville community park.

E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park | Kentucky Tourism - State of Kentucky - Visit Kentucky, Official Site

https://parks.ky.gov/louisville/parks/recreation/ep-tom-sawyer-state-park

Variety of moderately challenging forest trails and a nature preserve area near Ft. Knox.

https://www.radclifftourism.org/saunderssprings.shtml

Very attractive arboretum east of Louisville, KY.

Yew Dell Botanical Garden Visit | Thinking Outside the Boxwood

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Hiking – ESE Indiana

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 tomkapostasyLeave a comment

This area is mostly flat or slightly rolling and dominated by agriculture. Small forest preserves closer to Indianapolis. Larger parks in the Whitewater River valley east towards Ohio.

Large FWA adjacent to an active military base. Flat hiking trails.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/properties/atterbury-fwa/

Short trail adjacent to a stream.

https://decaturcountyparksandrecreation.com/parks/decatur-county-park/

Small old growth forest preserve.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/shrader-weaver-woods/

Mounds SRA is adjacent to Brookville Lake, part of the Whitewater River watershed.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/brookville-lake/

Johnson County Park occupies part of historic Camp Atterbury. Flat trails.

https://www.jocoparks.com/johnson-county-park

Symbiosis forest preserve with minor hills.

Symbiosis - Classified Forest, 1241 S 775 E, Waldron, IN 46182, USA

Click to access Symbiosis-Brochure.pdf

Small old growth forest preserve relatively close to Indianapolis.

Meltzer Woods

Another lakeside park in the Whitewater River watershed, like Mounds SRA.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/whitewater-memorial-state-park/

Hiking – SE Indiana

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 tomkapostasyLeave a comment

A surprisingly scenic and hilly part of the state.

The oldest IN state forest is 2,000 acres, containing the White Oak Nature Preserve.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/clark-state-forest/

Highlands overlooking the Ohio River.

https://www.greatparks.org/parks/shawnee-lookout

Knobstone trail starts at the south end of the lake, heading north. Wonderful forest.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/deam-lake-sra/

Scenic hike on both sides of Indiana Creek.

https://www.harrisoncountyparks.com/parks/hayswood-nature-reserve

Hiking these “knobs” is a true “backbone” hike with scenic views over the surrounding countryside.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/jackson-washington-state-forest/

Clifty Falls is a top 10 Indiana state park, mainly due to the up close access to waterfalls and cliffs.

Indiana Clifty Falls State Park | State parks, Beautiful places, Waterfall park

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/clifty-falls-state-park/

Hidden gem along the Muscatatuck River. Especially sweet during Spring wildflower season.

Click to access Calli.pdf

Almost 100 years as a classified forest preserve.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/selmier-state-forest/

The Ohio River waterfront in Vevay is worth a visit.

Schenck Mansion in Vevay, Indiana. | Indiana travel, Mansions, Old houses

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vevay,_Indiana

Versailles State Park trails start at the lake, but follow historic stone trails up the surrounding hills and streams. Very enjoyable hikes.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/versailles-state-park/

Knobstone Trail is the highlight of Indiana Hiking. Pick a trailhead and enjoy. Check with your doctor to be sure you’re ready for repeated 400 foot climbs and descents.

https://www.knobstonehikingtrail.org/

https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/knobstone-trail-conditions-reroutes-maps/knobstone-trail-about/