7 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Indiana To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead
Getting outdoors during the cold months can be a challenge, but that’s why we’ve got this list of seven winter hikes to motivate you. Featuring excellent views, easy trails, and events, these state parks have everything you need to find a relaxing spot to meditate on the past year and the one to come. Check ’em out:
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
1. Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Winter is one of the best times to visit this state park as events take place throughout the season. Dog hikes, vista hikes, tree hikes, and more abound. Read more about the park's winter activities here.
2. Fort Harrison State Park
Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA
This 1,700-acre park in Indy features a 1-mile trail that is beautiful any time of the year. Fall Creek Trail is a paved path that meanders through trees and township. Click here to learn more about this hike.
This paved greenway path is ideal for foot and bike traffic all year long and is especially lovely during the winter whether there is snow on the ground or not. The trail is 16.5 miles and connects a couple of towns. Get more details about it here.
4. McCormick's Creek State Park
McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
There are myriad trails at this state park that are fun to traverse throughout the year. Many of them loop throughout the forest, giving guests the opportunity to see many different parts of this incredible park, which is made even more beautiful by snow and ice. Learn about some of McCormick's Creek State Park's frozen waterfalls here.
5. Natural Valley Ranch
Natural Valley Ranch, 6310 County Rd 350 N, Brownsburg, IN 46112, USA
Find time to reflect on a trail where you won't have to hike at all. This attraction allows guests to go on winter horseback rides that are just as charming as they sound. Click here to get more details.
6. Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park, 1100 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304, USA
The beach may not seem like a winter activity, but the dunes are actually an incredible place to visit during the winter. In addition to trail systems that are still open to the public, there is also often intriguing shelf ice that forms along Lake Michigan that is wonderful to see. Learn about the park here.
7. Shades State Park
Shades State Park West Road, Shades State Park W Rd, Brown Township, IN 47933, USA
The trails at this state park are mostly short and sweet. Most are also rugged and take hikers over ravines and flood plains. Regardless, you're always guaranteed to find excellent views along a hike here, especially during the wintertime. Discover the trails at Shades State Park here!
What other winter hikes would you like to take this season? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Address: Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Address: Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA
Address: Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Goshen, IN, USA
Address: McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
Address: Natural Valley Ranch, 6310 County Rd 350 N, Brownsburg, IN 46112, USA
Address: Indiana Dunes National Park, 1100 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Address: Shades State Park West Road, Shades State Park W Rd, Brown Township, IN 47933, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes in Indiana
December 11, 2021
Tori Jane
What are the best places for winter hiking in Indiana?
It might get snowy in the Hoosier State during the winter months, but that definitely doesn’t mean we can’t go hiking anyway. In fact, there are some places in Indiana that are seriously so magical at winter that we suspect the coldest time of year might be the best time of year for some. Some of our favorite destinations for winter hiking in Indiana include beautiful places like the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which is nestled alongside beautiful Lake Michigan is home to more than 12 scenic hikes open year-round. State Parks around the Hoosier State are also excellent for winter hiking in Indiana, like McCormick’s Creek State Park and O’Bannon Woods State Park, as well as Pokagon State Park (which just so happens to be one of our state’s most underrated parks, if you ask us). During winter in Indiana, you can find amazing wonders like frozen waterfalls, snow-covered landscapes, and picturesque places just waiting to be admired. Don’t let the cold get you down – go outside and explore, you’ll love it!
What are some fun winter outdoor activities in Indiana?
Indiana is home to plenty of adorable towns and quaint cities filled to the brim with delightful holiday and winter events and activities; it seems like no matter where you go (or where you’re planted), you’re sure to find a winter activity to love. Go sledding – Indiana has plenty of snowy hills perfect for the occasion. Get the friends together and have a snowball fight like the old days (ten points if you hit one of your college buddies in the face). Go sledding, build snowmen, and admire holiday lights displays with a mug of deliciously sweet hot chocolate. Decorate trees, go to events held by cities and towns, and most of all, have fun. In Indiana, you’ll have no problem finding wonderful things to do – indoors and outdoors – during winter in Indiana. For more of our favorite winter attractions in Indiana, check this list out!
Address: Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Address: Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA
Address: Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Goshen, IN, USA
Address: McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
Address: Natural Valley Ranch, 6310 County Rd 350 N, Brownsburg, IN 46112, USA
Address: Indiana Dunes National Park, 1100 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Address: Shades State Park West Road, Shades State Park W Rd, Brown Township, IN 47933, USA
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
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