This Scenic Indiana Trail Is Even Better in the Winter

A 2-mile trail that winds its way through rocky canyons and along forest-lined creekbeds, Trail No. 3 in Turkey Run State Park is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Hoosier State. Visitors will discover unique features, including ladders, suspension bridges, and stairs, to help them traverse the sheer rock walls and explore the canyon's interior. 

While Trail No. 3 at Turkey Run State Park is gorgeous in the summer, it might be even more beautiful in the winter. Located about 67 miles west of Indianapolis in Marshall, Indiana, the star feature of this pretty state park is its sandstone canyons, carved over thousands of years by Sugar Creek. 

The loop trail starts by crossing this body of water on a suspension bridge that offers stunning views. You’ll have to choose your own adventure next, opting to go left or right when the trail forks. Here’s a tip: If you hike the route clockwise, you’ll go down its 140 steps instead of up them and traverse the trails’ more intense sections first. Visitors will know they’ve made it back to the beginning of the trail when they spot the suspension bridge again.

Hikers will encounter several geologic highlights along the way, including the Ice Box, Wedge Rock, the Punch Bowl, and Bear Hollow, making the trail even more interesting. If it happens to snow, you’ll be treated to hiking through narrow gorges, with tree stumps growing out of the rock, covered in snow drifts and jagged icicles. 

The park and Trail No. 3 are located within Parke County, known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World,” which receives around 17 inches of snow per year during the winter months. That means your chances of getting to hike after a snowfall are slim, but if you plan it perfectly, you’ll be transported to a winter wonderland, discovering one of the best scenic winter trails in Indiana.

If you do decide to hike Trail No. 3 in winter, be forewarned. Some sections of the trail, especially those that require ladder climbing, can become dangerous depending on the level of snow and ice. Most of the ladders are located in the Bear’s Hollow section of the trail if you want to avoid the need to climb. 

There are several other worthwhile trails in Turkey Run State Park, including Trail No. 11, which features views over Turkey Run Hollow and the Log Church, or Trail No. 4, another trek that highlights the park’s historic features like the Lusk home and an old mine and quarry. You can also opt to complete the 5-Mile Challenge, which takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete, and winds through three different canyons. Begin the challenge at the Nature Center, where you can also pick up a map of the park to help you along the way.

Other activities in the park include the Nature Center and Planetarium, several playgrounds, and the Narrows Restaurant. There are also several ways to spend the night in the park, including 213 campsites, cabins, and the Turkey Run Inn, located in the heart of the forest and just steps away from Trail No. 3.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip to Turkey Run State Park using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.