Looking for places to hike in Indiana? We got you covered. Hiking is a great family activity to get outdoors. It is also inexpensive and good for your health (aka exercise). We used to only go hiking when we went camping or went out of state.
I don’t know why we just hikes around where we live because there are some great places to hike here in Indiana. Once we were quarantined, getting outside the house for daily walks and hikes became our thing to do. So, we are sharing some places to go hiking around Indiana.
Fort Ben Harrison State Park
Fort Benjamin Harrison State park is a 1700 acres park that several trails for family. There is an entrance fee to enter but sometimes they do let in cars for free. Fort Benjamin Harrison family events are put on for the family and other activities depending on the time of the year. You can also have a picnic, go canoeing or check their museum. So, you can check out one of their events and go hiking for a great family day out. Here are the trails:
Harrison Trace Trail: EASY—3.2 miles.
Fall Creek Trail: MODERATE—1 mile.
Camp Creek Trail: MODERATE—2 miles.
Lawrence Creek Trail: DIFFICULT—4.2 miles.
Tree ID Trail: EASY—1 mile.
Schoen Creek Trail: DIFFICULT—3 miles.
Monon Trail
The Monon Rail Trail starts up north the town of Westfield, through Carmel and Broad Ripple then connects with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail on the east end of Mass Ave. Perhaps closer to a walking trail than a full on hike but thought why not include the Monon Trail on the list of hiking in Indiana places as alot of families enjoy this trail.
Turkey Run
Approximately 1.5 hours northwest of Indianapolis is Turkey Run State park. There are many activities you can do here besides hiking. They are 11 trails at Turkey Run:
Trail 2: RUGGED—1 mile.
Trail 3: VERY RUGGED—1.7 miles.
Trail 4: MODERATE/RUGGED—2 miles.
Trail 5: MODERATE—0.7 mile.
Trail 6: MODERATE —0.5 mile.
Trail 7: MODERATE—0.7 mile.
Trail 8: MODERATE—1.5 miles.
Trail 9: VERY RUGGED—1 mile.
Trail 10: MODERATE—1.4 miles.
Trail 11: EASY—0.5 mile.
Update: As of April 27, 2020, only trail 1 and parts of 11 are open.
Turkey Run State Park
8121 E. Park Rd.
Marshall, Indiana 47859
765.597.2635
Eagle Creek Park
One of the largest parks in Indianapolis and located not far from downtown Indianapolis. Lots of people come here to enjoy not only hiking, but fishing, boating, rowing and the beach during the summer time. There is a fee you must pay to enter and use the park.
Green Trail: EASY—3.25 miles.
Red Trail: MODERATE—6.75 miles.
Orange Trail: MODERATE—2.5 miles.
Blue Trail: MODERATE—2.5 miles.
Edesess Trail: MODERATE—1.25 miles.
You can read more about each trail on Eagle Creek Trail Map.
Harrison-Crawford State Forest
Located in southern Indiana near the Ohio River about 2 ½ hours south of Indianapolis. There are many trails that are great for families with older kids, families that like to go backpacking or like horse trails.
Adventure Hiking Trail —25 miles
This trail takes about 3 days to complete and overnight backpack camping is permitted.
Fire Tower to Rocky Ridge Bike and Hike Trail: MODERATE/RUGGED—2 miles.
Rocky Ridge Bike and Hike Trail: MODERATE—2 miles.
Cliff Dweller Trail: MODERATE—1.75 miles.
Sharpe’s Spring Trail: EASY—1 mile.
Read more other Harrison Crawford State Forest trails here.
Brown County State Park
Trail 1 Lodge: MODERATE—0.9 miles
Trail 2 CCC: MODERATE—2 miles
Trail 3 Saddle Barn Loop: MODERATE—1.25 miles (you can also listen to Abe Martin Lodge Audio Tour)
Trail 4 Rally Campground: MODERATE—1.25 miles
Trail 5 Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve: RUGGED—0.75 miles
Trail 6 Strahl Lake: EASY—1.5 miles
Trail 7 Ogle Lake: MODERATE—1.5 miles
Trail 8 HHC: MODERATE—3.5 miles
Trail 9 Taylor Bridge:
Trail 10 Fire Tower: RUGGED—2.2 miles
Trail 11: RUGGED—2.75 miles
Friends Trail: EASY
Discovery Trail: MODERATE—0.5 miles
You can check out all the trails and everything else Brown County State Park has to over on with the Brown County State Park map.
We will continue to add more trails we discover more family friendly places for hiking in Indiana.
Interested in camping? Check out how to have a great camping trip with the family.
Wife of one and mother of two (twins). Raising a family in the midwest. Lover of Netflix, crime shows & podcasts, traveling and summer.
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