The Underrated Griffy Reservoir Trail In Indiana Leads To A Hidden Turquoise Lake
By Tori Jane|Published February 15, 2022
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Tori Jane
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Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Indiana is something of an underrated hiking destination if you ask us. In fact, there are more than 1,000 awesome hikes you can embark upon across the Hoosier State, each one with its own pros, cons, features, and challenges. We love finding underrated trails that even locals may have never known about; we found this one, for example, by accident – and we totally love it. It’s a wonder-filled lake hike in Indiana trekked by entirely too few, especially given how beautiful it is. If you’re a fan of scenic hikes, you’ll want to add the Griffy Reservoir North Shore Trail to your bucket list ASAP.
You'll begin your trek by crossing the lower spillway (or top-ways, over the dam).
This trail isn't terribly long; it's a little over three miles round-trip, and although it's rated as moderate, some folks may still have difficulties with this one.
There are some steep areas, some stairs, and narrow passageways, but as long as you're able to navigate these, you're in for an amazing hike!
This trail, subtly marked and 100% amazing, will make you feel like you're way out in some jungle-woodsy paradise; the surrounding forest is beautiful no matter what time of year it may be.
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Of course, the main draw to this trail is the stunning turquoise lake hikers are graced with the opportunity to admire.
It's Bloomington's beloved Griffy Lake, which is technically a reservoir that was constructed way back in the 1920s when this water was used as the primary hydration source for the town of Bloomington. Today, that job goes to Lake Monroe and Lake Lemon, but the reservoir has made a comeback as a wonderful recreation area.
It often reflects the beautiful Indiana skies above, giving the entire body of water the appearance of being a gleaming cobalt. It's beautiful - and it's perfect for killing an entire afternoon.
Enjoy activities like boating, kayaking, fishing, and more - no swimming, though, please.
The hike is honestly just the beginning; you're going to want to start your day early (and preferably during the week for the ultimate peace and quiet) and spend hours alongside Griffy Lake, whether in a boat or simply relaxing along the shoreline.
It's an intriguing place for those who enjoy exploring, too.
You'll find all sorts of things here; it's an interesting amalgamation of man-made industry and natural beauty all blended into one underrated little day hike.
The trail and reservoir are open year-round, and it's dog-friendly, too!
Make sure to stick around to catch the sunset. There's just something amazing about Indiana evenings that are made even more magical by the presence of this lovely, life-giving lake.
