Take A Spring Hike At Bendix Woods County Park, An Underappreciated And Unique Forest Hike
If you, like us, are always on the search for that one perfect, idyllic spring hike in Indiana, we’d like to suggest a little-known and vastly underappreciated spot hidden away in New Carlisle that might just become your new favorite place as the weather begins to warm up (finally). Bendix Woods County Park, named for the company that donated the land for the creation of the said park, is 195 acres of outdoor fun just begging to be explored.
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It's pretty amazing that Bendix Woods County Park is as little-known as it is, considering it might just have some of the most interesting history behind it.
In 1926, the Studebaker corporation developed the land and surrounding track for testing new cars, beating out their competition, who had a similar project in the works, by at least a year. The test track featured a variety of terrains and road conditions to idealize the testing process.
Studebaker decided on some unique landscaping; they planted a gigantic grove of trees that spelled "STUDEBAKER" when viewed from above.
In 1963, the Bendix corporation acquired the grounds and used them for business purposes. Eventually, they donated the land to the county for the construction of a park.
Today, Bendix Woods County Park offers a lot of awesome things to do and see.
Perhaps the best time to visit (though every month is a good month, really) is during spring, as the weather gets warmer and life begins to flourish again.
There's nothing quite like riding your bike or hiking any one of the five trails on the grounds as bright-green flora explodes out of the ground all around you.
Spring is a special time of year; the vibe here is brilliant and the atmosphere feels colorful, which is appropriate, given the vivid spring color all over the place.
Bendix Woods County Park is very popular with mountain bikers, though the trails are easy.
Keep in mind when planning your visit that there's a gate fee of $4 for in-county vehicles (and $5 for out-of-county vehicles). Annual passes are also available, which is excellent because we're pretty certain you're going to want to revisit this place again and again.
There's also a pond, delightful picnic sites, and even a children's "discovery room."
It's also home to the second-highest point in the entire county, which isn't much, but hey - it's still a fun fact!
If you’d like more information about Bendix Woods County Park, including permit information and more, please visit the official website. Craving another amazing spring hike in Indiana? What about a list of them? Check this article out for inspiration for your next hike!
Have you ever visited Bendix Woods County Park? What was your favorite thing about it?
Address: 56960 Timothy Road, New Carlisle, Indiana, 46552
Address: 56960 Timothy Rd, New Carlisle, IN 46552, USA
Tori Jane Ostberg plays with tornadoes for fun. When she's not out chasing the biggest and baddest storms mama nature has to offer, she can usually be found writing something, somewhere, or exploring the desert southwest with her camera.
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