Looking for places to explore near you? Whether you're looking for a park to spend the day or one to stay for a week, we can help. Our goal is to help you find places to explore and experience, all while providing a simple itinerary based on our own experience.
Address:
1801 IN-46
Nashville, Indiana 47448
Phone:
812-988-6406
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsTrail #7 goes all the way around Ogle Lake, and it’s a very beautiful place to visit. During the fall, this park gets very busy, and the lake is the best place for a walk.
To LakeThis tower has two levels, and you can drive right up to the base. It offers a great view of the park.
To TowerNashville, Indiana is a charming small town, and there are many things to do and plenty of places to visit. If you have the chance, rent a cabin and spend a weekend exploring the town and the park.
To Nashville
Address:
2605 N Cataract Rd
Spencer, Indiana 47460
Phone:
765-276-0194
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsThis is the covered bridge and it's iconic in Indiana. There's a hidden trail behind the fence at the end of the walkway. It may say closed, but locals ignore it and use the trail to get to the top of the upper waterfalls.
Covered BridgeThe upper waterfall is one of the main attractions of this park, and you can even get underneath if you cross the river or if you follow the hidden trail behind the covered bridge. The best time to visit is after a rainy day.
Upper FallsThe lower waterfall is another point of interest, and the best way to reach it is hiking. For the best experience, follow the trail by the river.
Lower Falls
Address:
2221 Clifty Dr
Madison, Indiana 47250
Phone:
812-273-8885
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
Restrooms*This area may be closed, but if opened on your next visit, it offers a beautiful view of the waterfall, especially after a rainy days.
OutlookThis is an interesting rock since it's shaped like a cake slice, and hence its name.
Cake RockYou must use caution and common sense in this area. It's a cliff that offers a beautiful view of the park.
CliftThe second largest waterfall in this park. Very beautiful after rainy days.
Tunnel FallsThe third interesting spot in this park.
Hoffman Falls
Address:
7840 W 56th St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46254
Phone:
317-327-7110
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsThe Ornithology Center is seasonal and business hours vary. This is a beautiful spot to watch birds, get a beautiful view of the lake, and the Center provides many activities to explore.
OrnithologyTo get to Lilly Lake it's necessary to hike across many trails (orange, blue and red), and it's a beautiful area, with wildlife, restrooms, picnic tables, fishing spots, and much more!
Lilly LakeTo get to Coffer Dam you must walk through the Red & Blue Trail, and it's a beautiful wideopen area where you can fish, watch wildlife, and enjoy a walk in general. You may even see bald eagles!
Coffer DamThe Douglas Fir is a massive, 25 ton, ancient tree trunk. It was transported from Oregon to Indiana and donated to the park in 1976. At the time it was cut, the tree was estimated to be over 400 years old!
The Douglas FirThis is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsVisit the Pendleton Historical Museum and learn about its history. There are two levels filled with information, and they also host flea markets on some days of the week. Check schedules before visiting.
MuseumThe waterfall is one of the main attractions of the park, and you can walk through the creek during hot days. You can also go fishing if that is one of your hobbies.
WaterfallsThere are several trails, and we recommend the one that runs alongside the creek.
Trail
Address:
6363 Spring Mill Rd
Indianapolis, Indiana 46260
Phone:
317-327-7180
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsThe White River Lookout area is beautiful, with easy access to the river, and full of vegetation and wildlife. You can walk into the river, and pick up clams and crayfish.
To the RiverThe Blickman, is a small reserve with access to the river, and easy to access directly o through Holliday Park.
To BlickmanThe Nature Center offers many activities for the kids, and even for adults to check out. The perfect place to use the bathroom or take a little break during a hot day.
Visitor CenterRock the Ruins has a beautiful fountain, a little waterpad, an is a very popular area for photoshoots.
To Ruins
Address:
1267 Green Acres Dr SW
Corydon, Indiana 47112
Phone:
812-734-1200
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
We recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
The cave is long, and there's an underground river. There are other activities you can do outside, like looking for jems in the sand, o get on their rides. All paid separetely.
Address:
Wabash Ave
Porter, Indiana 46304
Phone:
219-395-1882
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsThe walk to the beach is a little long and tiring, but at this recommended access point, there are fewer people and you are closer to the other destinations we recommend.
To BeachTo reach Mount Tom, you need to take Trail #8 to Trail #4 on the right. The climb is very tiring and the sand gets hot, so make sure to wear proper footwear and bring plenty to drink.
To Mt TomThe Beaver Boardwalk is far from the beach, and to get there you need to return to Trail #8 and continue until you reach Trail #10. Follow Trail #10 until you reach Trail #2, then turn right. It is very tiring to reach this point and the sand gets hot, so make sure to wear proper footwear and bring plenty to drink.
To Beaver Boardwalk
Address:
55 E Michigan St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone:
317-232-7615
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsThe Shrine Room is an amazing place, hard to imagine from the outside. Besides being amazing, the place can give you feelings of pride and patriotism.
To ShrineThis Auditorium is an interesting place and with a lot of history, usually used to instill patriotism in younger generations.
To AuditoriumThe museum is located in the bottom floor of the building, and there's a lot of history in display. The exhibitions cover everything from the Independence to the most recent Gulf Wars.
To Museum
Address:
250 McCormick Creek Park Rd
Spencer, Indiana 47460
Phone:
812-829-2235
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsThe Creek Canyon Falls are the biggest attraction of this place. The trail is short, however a little hard ever since a tornado caused a lot of damage just a couple years ago.
To WaterfallsThe Wolf Cave is the second best attraction, however the cave is constantly being closed due to weather conditions, or to the conditions of wildlife inhabiting it.
To caveIf you wish to take a break and cool down a little bit before exploring trails further, the Center is a great place to do it.
To CenterThis is our recommended parking spot. This is the parking spot for the North Trail, and to go to the South Trail you will need to walk along the road.
Parking SpotIn the North Trail you'll be able to appreciate the Arch, the number one attraction of this nature Preserve. It's an interesting trail, and you can find beautiful cliffs, creeks and ruins.
To North TrailIn this trail you will see about the same things as in the North Trail, the main difference is there is no Arch.
To South TrailThis is our recommended parking spot. Some places have multiple parking lots.
Parking 1We recommend using the restrooms before starting, especially with children.
RestroomsTurn right. Trail 1 will take you through the most interesting area of the park. Along the way, you’ll explore canyons, cliffs, streams, and much more.The same Trail 1 will also take you to the second point, called the Perspective Point. The path is a little confusing, but when you reach the Trail 1 intersection, turn right and follow the signs.
To the PunchThe same Trail 1 will also take you to the second point, called the Perspective Point. You can make a little stop at the Silver Casade Falls. The path is a little confusing, but when you reach the Trail 1 intersection, turn right and follow the signs.
To Prospect PointOn your way back from Perspective Point along Trail 1, you’ll arrive at the Hickory Shelter. Here, you’ll turn right and walk to Trail 5. This trail will take you to the river or creek called Sugar Creek. To return, you can use Trail 5 or Trail 4.
To Sugar CreekAfter exploring Trails 1 and 5, you’ll need to drive to another parking area. At this parking lot, you’ll find the entrance to the Pine Hills Nature Preserve trail.
To 2nd ParkingDevil's Backbone is a point of interest, but getting there requires a lot of walking and crossing a road, though it is definitely worth it.
To Backbone
Address:
3333 IN-60 E
Mitchell, Indiana 47446
Phone:
812-849-3534
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsPioneer Village is a true hidden gem in Indiana. The village is full of historic buildings, and on busy days they hold historical reenactments. The main building features exhibits of antique artifacts.
To VillageHamer Cave has been documented for being large, and although access is difficult, we have never been prohibited from approaching it and exploring the entrance.
To HamerDonaldson Cave is very large and located several minutes from the village. The hike along Trail 4 (Historic Trail) is more than worth it. Along the way you can find a fruit called pawpaw during the months of September and October.
To DonaldsonDrive to the second parking lot. The drive there may be a little confusing since it's a one-way road in some stretches.
Parking 2Bronson Cave appears to be two caves, and although there are no stairs directly to the entrances, both locals and other visitors can climb down and enter to explore it.
To BronsonNOTE: Purchase your tickets immediately when you arrive at Spring Mill. The Twin Caves are another major attraction, and you can admire their beauty on a guided boat tour.
To Twin Caves
Address:
100 Squire Boone Rd SW
Mauckport, Indiana 47142
Phone:
812-732-4381
This is our recommended parking spot.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsOf all the caves we have explored, the one in Squire Boone is one of the best. The tour is long, an you will be amazed by the rock formations.
To CaveThe spring mill is a small attraction of the place, and a beautiful spot for pictures.
To MillYou can use the paid ziplining service as an additional option.
To Zipline
Address:
65 Waterfall Rd
Richmond, Indiana 47374
Phone:
765-935-8687
This is our recommended parking spot. This particular place doesn't have many close options.
ParkingThe Thistlethwaite Falls are beautiful, specially after rainy days. There's a faint bad smell coming from the place, but it's worth exploring.
To WaterfallThe creek has a fossil bed that you can see, or unearth. Be aware of spiders.
Find FossilsYou can follow the trail by the creek all the way to the bridge. To reach it, you must go up on a very inclined trail.
To BridgeThis is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsThe Rocky Hollow Suspension Bridge is something spectacular, and it is one of the park’s main attractions. You can go down to the river and enjoy the refreshing water. I recommend visiting during the rainy season.
To Suspension BridgeTrail #3 is the best of all the trails in the park, and it will take you through canyons, cliffs, green areas, and many other surprising places.
To Trail #3To reach Trail #7, it is necessary to walk through Trail #6. This trail will take you through beautiful views and unique areas near the river.
To Trail #7The Cox Ford Covered Bridge is an interesting point in the park, and you can drive directly to it.
To Covered Bridge
Address:
801 W Washington St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone:
317-233-2434
This is the place where we recommend parking. There are many options, but this is the best one for exploring the top attractions.
ParkingWe recommend using the restrooms before any activity, especially if you are bringing children. The restroom is located inside the Museum.
RestroomsThe Waterfront Pavilion offers a beautiful view of the river with the city in the background. It is next to the zoo, and you can walk along the trail behind the zoo known as Central White River.
To PavilionThe path between the Pavilion and The Rocks has some of the best views of the city of Indianapolis. The Rocks is a very popular place for outdoor activities, and even live music.
To The StonesTo reach the Medal of Honor Memorial, you need to walk on the left side of the canal. If you accidentally take the wrong path, you can cross the bridge next to the fountain.
To MemorialThe Indianapolis Colts playground is somewhat farther away, but it is worth it if you have children or enjoy walking.
To Colts PlayspaceThis is our recommended parking spot.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsThe safari in car is self-guided and at your own pace. We recommend you buy enough food to feed the animals. Be careful hen feeding them, since they can be strong and may bite.
To SafariThere's a little animal park at the end of the safari, and you can stop and feed whatever food you have left. These are farm animals.
To ParkThe giraffes encounter is free, however you need to buy lettuce to feed them. The encounter with elephants is paid.
To Encounter