7 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Indiana To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead
Getting outdoors during winter in Indiana can be a challenge, but that’s why we’ve got this list of seven winter hikes in Indiana 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. Pack up the car with your favorite winter packing essentials and get ready for some adventures in the Hoosier State!
Winter is one of the best times to visit Brown County State Park as events take place throughout the season. Dog hikes, vista hikes, tree hikes, and more abound.
Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
The 1,700-acre Fort Harrison State 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.
Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail 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.
There are myriad trails at McCormick's Creek 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.
McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
Find time to reflect on a trail where you won't have to hike at all. Nature Valley Ranch allows guests to go on winter horseback rides that are just as charming as they sound.
Natural Valley Ranch, 6310 County Rd 350 N, Brownsburg, IN 46112, USA
The beach may not seem like a winter activity, but Indiana Dunes State Park is 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.
Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA
The trails at Shades 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.
Shades State Park West Road, Shades State Park W Rd, Brown Township, IN 47933, USA
What other winter hikes would you like to take this season? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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.
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, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Address: Shades State Park West Road, Shades State Park W Rd, Brown Township, IN 47933, USA
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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.
