If there’s one thing avid outdoorsy folk can appreciate Indiana for, it’s the fact that we have literally tens of thousands of acres of amazing hiking trails all over the state. It doesn’t seem to matter what time of year it is, what season is going on, or what kind of landscape we prefer; Indiana has something super-rewarding and ultra-fun for everyone. Here are some of our very favorite kid-friendly treks, some of the best hikes in Indiana, that even your smallest small one will enjoy!

Did you know there are dozens of kid-friendly, short-and-sweet hikes peppered around the Hoosier state just waiting for you to introduce your little ones to adventure on?
Norm Hoekstra/Flickr
It's true! There are lots, in fact - here are five in particular that we appreciate, and we think the family will, too. We bring them to you in no particular order.
1. Shades State Park Trail #1
Shades State Park West Road, Shades State Park W Rd, Brown Township, IN 47933, USA
trevorklatko/Flickr
Shades State Park is a beautiful respite from the real world with tons of different trails to choose from. They vary in difficulty, but wouldn't you know it? The very first trail, Trail #1, is just 0.8 miles long and features a waterfall. Blow the kid's minds with the amazing beauty of this short and simple trek. Learn more about the escape from reality that is Shades State Park in this article.
2. Strahl Lake
Strahl Lake, Van Buren Township, IN 47448, USA
Trail Seeds/Flickr
Enjoy a thickly populated forest environment on the Strahl Lake Trail. Much like the previous trail, Strahl Lake is also just 0.8 miles long and offers lovely lake views and access. Dogs are permitted on a leash, so you really can bring the whole family!
3. Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve Trail #5
Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve, Ogle Lake Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Trail Seeds/Flickr
Ogle Hollow has the esteemed dedication as the ninth-established nature preserve in the Hoosier state. This particular trail is one mile long, and a bit lesser-known than others on this list. There isn't a lot of foot traffic, and the birdwatching and wildflowers are to die for. Get all the technical details about this hike on AllTrails!
4. Pehkokia Woods
Pehkokia Woods - ACRES Land Trust, 1570 Flaxmill Rd, Huntington, IN 46750, USA
Pehkokia Woods- ACRES Land Trust/Facebook
This lovely little one-mile trail is perfect for even the youngest of hikers; for the most part, it's flat. It features a beautiful small pond at the end and super-relaxing woods all around. Learn more about the trail on AllTrails.
5. Mount Saint Francis Sanctuary Trail #1
Mount Saint Francis, Mt St Francis, IN 47119, USA
Mount Saint Francis Sanctuary, INC/Facebook
Another Indiana sanctuary makes our list of favorites! It's a 0.9-mile long, easy-going trail suitable for even smaller kids to enjoy. Like some other trails on this list, St. Francis Sanctuary offers lake views, lovely woods, and heaps of peace and quiet. The official AllTrails page has plenty more information!

The best news is this: if none of these trails strike your fancy, that’s alright! There are hundreds of more trails to explore all across the state. What’s your favorite short-and-sweet Indiana hike? What do you think are the best hikes in Indiana? Give us your recommendations in the comments – we love hearing from you. For another easy hike in Indiana, follow the 1.5-mile trail that leads to Kissing Falls.

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Best Hikes in Indiana

Tori Jane | March 03, 2022

What are some nice scenic hikes in Indiana?  

Indiana is a state that’s great for hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. There’s a lot to do, see, and experience, and one of the best ways to do that is by checking out some of our most amazing scenic hikes. With more than 1,000 awesome hikes in Indiana to choose from, it can be feel pretty overwhelming at first. After all, where on earth do you begin? Well, how about starting at Indiana Dunes National Park, which is Indiana’s first National Park and filled to the brim with awe-inspiring trails and views. Take the awesome Cowles Bog Trail, which is 4.3 miles long and features intriguing plant diversity and amazing lake views. It feels like the ocean sometimes! Then, head out to the Hoosier National Forest and hike the amazing, 1.2-mile slot canyon hike that is the Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail. If you enjoy those and want to hike something a little longer and more challenging, give the Lake Monroe Peninsula Trail a shot; it’s just over ten miles long and features beautiful lakeside hiking and lots of wildflowers.  

What are some of the best easy hikes in Indiana?  

Not interested in anything super difficult or highly technical today? No worries, we get it – we're the same way sometimes. Some of our favorite easy hikes for a nice, lazy afternoon include another trail within Indiana Dunes National Park: the amazing West Beach Dune Succession Trail is 1.1 miles of easy trekking that leads hikers through four stages of dune development. It’s very interesting, especially to anyone with an interest in the unique geography of the region. Then, head to Yellowwood State Forest and do the Yellowwood Lake Trail, which is 4.4 miles long and loops around the entire lake. If you like long hikes that aren’t hard, the world-famous Monon Rail Trail is 26.4 miles long, paved, and you can learn more about it in this article. Finally, you’ll also want to add Little Clifty Falls at Clifty Falls State Park to your bucket list. It’s just 1.6 miles long and the reward at the end is an incredible waterfall or two.  

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