Indiana is just packed with outdoor activities that everyone can enjoy, including miles and miles of hiking trails. There are definitely plenty of hiking trails that everyone takes at least once, but today, we'd like to shine a little light on one of the lesser-known and lesser-appreciated ones. The Knobstone Trail is easily one of the best hikes in Indiana, and we're certain you'll love it as much as we do.
The Knobstone Trail is Indiana's longest footpath, coming in at an impressive 60 miles in length.
It's breathtakingly beautiful; you'll find yourself surrounded by lush, green forest, with plenty of interesting critters that call it home (and lots of lovely plant life, too).
It passes through three major areas: the Clark State Forest, Elk Creek Public Fishing Area, and Jackson-Washington State Forest
Should you decide to take the entire trail in one epic summertime adventure, the trail begins in Clark County, near Deam Lake, and ends in Washington County. It started small(ish) - the first 32 miles of trail were established and opened to the public in 1980.
Of course, traversing the entire thing is quite challenging, and it's perfectly okay if you'd prefer to hike portions of it as opposed to the entire thing all at once.
No matter what, though, you'll love the view - the Knobstone Trail features a unique lookout, where you can watch over miles of rolling green farmlands at an elevation of a little over 300 feet higher than the rest of the land. You totally have to see the view to believe it! For Indiana, it's a very unique feature of the Knobstone.
You'll encounter lakes, streams, woods, and countless creatures that call the area home.
Make friends with birds, squirrels, frogs, toads, moths, butterflies, and more! Animal lovers will adore this hike, as it's teeming with life. The bird-watching here is excellent, and we definitely recommend that you try it here at least once. It's a lot of fun to watch such beautiful animals going about their daily lives.
There's plenty of shade, but remember: stay hydrated!
Temperatures can climb into the 90s during the summer months, and it tends to get humid, so drinking water while you explore the Knobstone Trail is a must.
As under-appreciated as it certainly seems to be, we feel like the Knobstone is definitely one of the best hikes in Indiana.
It's important to note that the Knobstone Trail is open for foot traffic only; no bikes, horses, or motorized cars, please! It can be steep at some points, too, and hikers with asthma or other physical limitations will want to consider this while planning their trip. You'll also weave in and out of the wilderness, occasionally needing to cross roads and highways - use caution!
What do you think? What are your choices for the best hikes in Indiana? Tell us all about your picks in the comments; maybe you'll see yours featured! For more details and information about the Knobstone Trail, visit the official DNR Forestry website. For more great hikes in the beautiful Hoosier State, this article might be of some use. There's a hike for every month of the year!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
