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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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/

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.

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.

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/

Nice variety of rail trails, state and county parks, nature preserves, a quarry and an arboretum. This is mostly flat walking. St. Joseph County offers many options.

A village, a historic canal, a deep valley and a rail trail provide options in Delphi, along the Wabash. The bridge is under reconstruction, but you can hike up to one end and you can hike beneath it in the valley.

Click to access DelphiTrailsMap_updtd2011.pdf

Travelers have come to know and love the outdoor recreational facilities of France Park, with scenic trails, beautiful waterfall, clear swimming lake with picturesque cliffs, quiet fishing areas, and spacious camping facilities.

https://www.co.cass.in.us/departments/e-i/france-park/home

The Nickel Plate Trail runs from Kokomo to Rochester. There are a dozen trailheads along its 40 mile length. Although mostly flat, this is a surprisingly scenic trail where it crosses 3 major rivers and approaches Lake Manitou south of Rochester.

http://www.nickelplatetrail.org/

Visit Jasper-Pulaski any time, but come in the fourth quarter to see the truly amazing sandhill cranes.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/properties/jasper-pulaski-fwa/sandhill-cranes/

Deep River Park in Lake County follows the river, starting at an historic grist mill.

https://lakecountyparks.com/151/Deep-River-County-Park

Spicer Lake has trails and board walks for visiting the birds. This is a short hike, but quite memorable at the Michigan border.

http://www.sjcparks.org/591/Spicer-Lake

Plymouth, Indiana has a small trail system that connects the river and surrounding areas.

https://www.plymouthin.com/topic/index.php?topicid=50&structureid=24

LaSalle FWA is part of the Grand Kankakee Marsh. Interesting trees, bushes and birds abound.

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

The prairie and stream trails are enjoyable. The Gabis arboretum resources and gardens are nice. But the highlight is the outdoor model train and landscaping.

Gabis Arboretum

Several interesting trails along the Tippecanoe River.

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

Potato Creek is west of South Bend. The trails take advantage of a lake, historical and planted areas. The state is investing in this park for the future.

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

The Erie Trail is a straight 20 mile rail-trail segment of the American Discovery Trail, starting north of the Tippecanoe River SP and heading WNW to North Judson, IN.

https://www.prairietrailsclub.org/about

Surprising place for a nature park. This “savanna” landscape is just west of a heavily drained farm landscape.

Click to access np-Fisher_Oak_Savanna.pdf

A second St Joseph County Park. Pine trees, open spaces and a small stream highlight the trails.

http://www.sjcparks.org/592/St-Patricks

Significantly more water and small hills in this area of Indiana.

South of Ft. Wayne, a large marshy area with a variety of close-up and elevated trails.

https://www.lrwp.org/eaglemarsh

Just south of Eagle Marsh is Fox Island County Park with several woods trails, including one that follows a sand bar.

Fox Island County Park

The main feature is old growth forest on this 2 square mile property. There is a creek, pond and wetlands in this nature preserve.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/douglas-woods-1/?tab_q=tab_container-tab_element

17 miles of rail-trail connecting small cities through rolling farmlands on the Pumpkinvine Trail.

Home

The least visited of the 3 Wabash River feeding lakes, formerly known as Huntington Lake. Lake shore and river following trails.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/properties/je-roush-lake-fwa/

Short hike and board walk extends out into the marsh/lake.

https://indianabirdingtrail.com/pages/pisgah-marsh-birding-opportunities

There are many trails and gravel roads to hike in the large Pigeon River FWA.

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

Many hiking options around the large dammed Lake Mississinewa, which empties into the Wabash.

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

Nice woods and road hikes around the connected lakes and hills.

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

Many connected trails around the lake, wetlands and woods of this state park with an inn.

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/pokagon-state-parktrine-state-recreation-area/

Many trails around this lake which also empties into the Wabash.

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

Located out of the way, near the headlands of the Wabash, this state park is more developed than expected, with a dammed lake, pine woods and bison area.

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

Loblolly Swamp is west of the Geneva Limberlost homestead. It’s a shorter hike, but covers unusual terrain.

Click to access np-Loblolly.pdf

Limberlost