The 5-Mile Hiking Trail in Indiana That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

Southeastern Indiana is a beautiful place to visit, live, and play in, especially in the fall. At this magical time of year, the leaves and brush come alive in brilliant, vivid color, inviting folks to explore the landscape in an entirely new way every year.

Take, for instance, Versailles State Park. This park is one of more than 20 in the Hoosier State and just so happens to be the second-largest (after Brown County State Park). My goodness, friends, the color you'll find yourself fully immersed in is nothing short of incredible.

My favorite autumn hike at Versailles State Park in Indiana is the Versailles Trail 3,2,1 Loop. It's technically a blend of three trails plus a little stretch all its own. Why? Oh... you'll see.

Versailles Trail 1, also known as the Trail 3, 2, 1 Loop, is legendary year-round... especially this time of year. The leaves on every tree and shrub fade to brilliant shades of gold, orange, and crimson, and I promise: there's nothing more relaxing than meandering this loop in the morning, during the week, when there are fewer people and more opportunities for complete tranquility.

The scenic, rolling hills of the southern portion of Indiana are photogenic enough as-is, but throw in colors like these and you've suddenly got every excuse in the book to bring a camera and shoot an entire calendar.

During your adventures, you'll come across several points of interest that ought to shake up your photos and make sure the whole trip is special. There’s a 230-acre lake where you can spend the day paddling, more than 20 miles of horse trails to explore, 16 of some of the best mountain biking in Indiana, and much more to enjoy.

Oh, and before I forget to mention it: there's another reason Versailles State Park is THE place to be in the fall. During the last weekend in September, there's the can't-miss Versailles Pumpkin Show, and the last weekend of October is host to all sorts of Halloween and fall shenanigans the whole family will love getting into.

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