Posted in Indiana Hiking, Nature February 26, 2022 by

If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Indiana, Make Them These

There are many gorgeous outdoor places to explore in Indiana, particularly if you enjoy a good hike. From state parks to hidden gems, if you’re looking for the best hikes in Indiana you need to do in this lifetime, make sure these five top your list. They’re scenic, otherworldly, and truly worth the effort! Check them out:

1. Trail 3 at Turkey Run State Park - Marshall
Tom Gill/Flickr
If you're looking for a gorgeous hike that will transport you to another planet, Trail 3 at Turkey Run is the perfect trail for you. This hike is only 1.7 miles, but it's full of challenges, like ladder climbing and walking along canyon walls. Along the way, you'll take in incredible sandstone gorges and stunning ravines that you won't believe exist in Indiana. You can learn more about this hike in this delightful article.
8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA
2. Monon Trail - Munster to Hammond and Indianapolis to Westfield
Jim Grey/Flickr
For a hiking experience unlike any other, you'll want to check out this amazing railroad hike in Indiana. This trail can be found in Northwestern Indiana, as well as central Indiana. These hiking trails were once part of the heavily used Monon Railroad. You can learn more about this unique hike and its different locations in this helpful article.
Monon Trail, Carmel, IN, USA
3. Turkey Trail at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge - Seymour
Geoffrey McKim/Flickr
The Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is a gorgeous nature preserve that's home to over a hundred animals. Turkey Trail is a one mile hiking trail through wetlands and woodlands, where hikers frequently see ducks, woodpeckers, songbirds, blackbirds, and of course, baby turkeys. Visit this trail early in the morning for the best view and learn more about this fascinating hike in this article.
12985 US-50, Seymour, IN 47274, USA
4. Trail 1 at Shades State Park - Waveland
Norm Hoekstra/Flickr
Shades State Park is arguably the most underrated state park in Indiana. This scenic trail is under one mile, but offers gorgeous views of ravines, waterfalls, and the popular Devil's Punchbowl, which is an enormous gorge that is incredible to behold in person. Check this article out to learn more!
7751 S 890 W, Waveland, IN 47989, USA
5. Three Lakes Trail at Morgan-Monroe State Forest - Martinsville
Danie Becknell/Flickr
The Three Lakes Trail is considered the most haunted trail in Indiana. It cuts through Stepp Cemetery and Draper Cabin, two notoriously haunted spots in the Hoosier state. You can learn more about this hike and the haunted tales in this article.
6220 Forest Rd, Martinsville, IN 46151, USA

Have you ever completed any of these hikes in Indiana? For nine more amazing hikes you should complete before you die, check out this list! Did your favorite make it in?

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Indiana

March 03, 2022
Tori Jane

What are some of the best scenic hikes in Indiana?  

Indiana is home to plenty of awesome, amazingly scenic hikes. Some of the best ones are usually found within our awesome local, state, and National parks. Good starting points include little slices of paradise like Clifty Falls State Park, Turkey Run State Park, Indiana Dunes National Park, and Shades State Park. Some examples of specific amazing scenic hikes include Trail #8 at Brown County State Park, which is 3.9 miles long and very clearly marked. It features a lake and is rated as moderately difficult. If you find yourself at Indiana Dunes National Park, hike the Trail 8 to Trail 4 Loop, which is 1.8 miles of amazing dunes where you’ll climb the three tallest dunes in the park! Then, wander to Trail 9, which is 3.8 miles long and features some amazing lake views. Finally, you’ll want to add the Falls Canyon Trail to your bucket list; it’s just under five miles long and features a creek and waterfall.  

What are some of the best easy hikes in Indiana?  

With more than 1,000 hikes in Indiana to choose from, how are we supposed to pick just one? Well, who says you have to? You can start with just a few and branch off from there; we’re here to help! For example, one of our favorite easy hikes in Indiana is the South Overlook Waterfowl Sanctuary Trail, which is just as teeming with wildlife as it sounds. It’s 2.4 miles long and is home to a lake that’s very popular with local critters. It’s also not far from Indy, so it’s not a long drive (unless you’re nowhere near Indy, anyway). Then there’s the Yellowwood Lake Trail, at Yellowwood State Forest. It’s 4.4 miles long and loops around the entire lake! Finally, check out some of Indiana’s most breathtaking waterfalls on the Little Clifty Falls Trail at Clifty Falls State Park. It’s 1.6 miles long and totally unforgettable. If you’d like some ideas about short, kid-friendly hikes in Indiana, check this article out!