12 Scenic Trails To Explore In Indiana, One For Each Month Of The Year
If you’re a fan of scenic hiking trails in Indiana, you’re going to love this: we’ve gone and compiled a list of 12 of the best hikes in the state – one for each month of this beautiful new year – and we think you’ll love it as much as we do! These are some of the most amazing hikes in Indiana, and we couldn’t be prouder to have them in the state we call home. So, lace up those hiking boots and take some notes – you’ll want to do one of these hikes per month for the next 12 months!
First and foremost comes one of our very favorite winter hikes! Green Trail is nestled within Eagle Creek Park and it's a moderately long one, as it's a 6.8-mile out-and-back adventure. It's great for all skill levels, though it's important to note that it does tend to get muddy, so make sure your footwear is up to snuff. This intriguing winter hike in Indiana is definitely a treat for hikers of all skill levels, and we think you'll love it as much as we do.
Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46254, USA
Nine Penny Branch Loop is a gorgeous 2.3-mile loop trail, and it features a frozen waterfall during the coldest months of the year. Dress warm, because baby, it's cold outside - but it's so worth it to take this hike in. This is a beginner-friendly waterfall hike in Indiana that just about everyone will find satisfying in every way.
Charlestown, IN 47111, USA
This 10.1-mile out-and-back trail is filled to the brim with stunning natural beauty. Plus, it comes with one of the best views of Lake Monroe there is, and that's pretty tough to beat. This is an impressive and hardy long hike in Indiana perfect for a multi-day excursion (or for breaking into smaller segments).
Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
There's lots we could say about this 4.6-mile loop trail, but we'll let its extreme popularity speak for itself. It won't take you long to realize why so many folks love this one - it's to die for! We recommend going during the middle of the week, early in the morning, for the best experience. This is one of those hidden gem hiking trails in Indiana everyone ought to do at least once.
Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA
This 6.3-mile loop trail is dog-friendly and ridiculously beautiful through and through. This one tends to get wet and slippery, so make sure you're wearing appropriate (and safe!) shoes, especially after recent rain showers. Some see why this legendary trail is one of the best hikes in Indiana by experiencing it.
Clifty Falls State Park, 2221 Clifty Dr, Madison, IN 47250, USA
Cowles Bog is a remarkably unique part of Indiana's landscape. This 4.3-mile loop trail is quite popular thanks to that intriguing biodiversity, and the entire area is a specially-preserved area. This one is special! If you're a fan of unique hiking trails in IN, you'll be a huge fan of Cowles Bog Trail (and explore the rest of Indiana Dunes National Park while you're at it).
Indiana Dunes National Park, Porter, IN 46304, USA
This 1.2-mile loop trail is beautiful and filled end to end with lush greenery and waterfalls that'll steal away with your breath. Lots of the hikes on this agenda have waterfalls, but these ones are particularly wondrous. This unabashedly amazing scenic hiking trail in Indiana is a fan favorite for about 100 reasons, all of which you'll discover when you experience it yourself.
Hemlock Cliffs, Union Township, IN 47118, USA
Turkey Run State Park is one of Indiana's most famous state parks for a reason: it's absolutely breathtaking, no matter what time of year you visit, but especially during summer. Trail #3 is a 1.9-mile loop trail popular for walking and hiking, and along the way you'll encounter waterfalls and plenty of other revelers. Turkey Run State Park is kind of like the emerald-green version of the Grand Canyon in Indiana when you really think about it.
Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA
Oh boy, it doesn't get a whole lot more amazing than Indiana Dunes State/National Parks! This 1.8-mile loop trail is known for its incredible dune formations and utterly fabulous views of beautiful Lake Michigan. This one is late summer splendor at its best. This amazing Indiana hiking trail is a must-do for visitors and locals alike.
Indiana Dunes State Park, Westchester Township, IN 46304, USA
Ah, spooky season has arrived, and there's a little chill in the air nowadays. It's the perfect time for a hike on the beautiful old Scarce O' Fat Trail, which comes alive with brilliant autumn color year after year. It's a 4.8-mile loop trail that even features a lake, so bring your camera! This is one of our favorite Indiana hikes and we're pretty sure you'll see exactly why pretty quickly.
Yellowwood State Forest, Washington Township, IN 47448, USA
Oh, Charlestown State Park, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways! This trail is a delight. It's just 2.2 miles long, but it's got so many things to see jam-packed into that two and a half miles that it might just feel longer. Experience the ruins of an old amusement park while you're at it. Charlestown Trail #3 is most definitely an experience to write home about. It's even more perfect when fall color is in full swing!
Charlestown State Park, 12500 IN-62, Charlestown, IN 47111, USA
The final month of the year begets the final hike of this list, but don't let its position as #12 fool you - it just happened to work out that way. This trail is easily one of the best winter hikes in the Hoosier State, and it's got frozen waterfalls and delights galore. It's just under five miles of snowy, icy perfection. Learn more about the amazingness that is McCormick's Creek State Park and consider doing some of the other amazing trails at the park, too.
McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
So, there you have it – one dozen hikes for all 12 months of the year! We here at OnlyInYourState would like to wish you a happy, healthy, productive, and active year. Life is short – go on good hikes, like all the best scenic hiking trails in Indiana, for instance! Heaven knows there are plenty.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Scenic Hiking Trails in Indiana
December 19, 2022
- What are some of the most scenic hiking trails in Indiana?
Indiana is significantly more scenic than most folks tend to give it credit for. It’s home to thousands of miles of hiking trails, most of which are quite beautiful. Some of the most scenic hiking trails in Indiana include:
- The incredible Dune Succession Trail at Indiana Dunes State Park
- The Waterfalls Trail at Clifty Falls State Park
- The Pine Hills Nature Hike
2. Which Indiana hiking trails should be on every hiker’s bucket list?
Of course, the must-do hikes in Indiana are plentiful since there are already so many to choose from! Some of the most notable bucket list Indiana hiking trails we can recommend are:
- The entire Pumpkinvine Nature Trail (all 16 miles of it)
- The epic Knobstone Trail (all 58 miles of it!)
3. What are some of the best hikes in Indiana?
Naturally, the above-mentioned trails aren’t the only amazing ones in the Hoosier State. Some of the (other) best hikes in Indiana are ones like:
- The Pearl Ravine Trail at Shades State Park
- The Big Four Bridge Hike
