From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and forests — our city has so many options to hit the trail.

So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Indy area with nine routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.

Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.

Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Jefferson County

Tunnel Falls to Lily Memorial Trail, Clifty Falls State Park, 2221 Clifty Dr., Madison

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 1.5-mile out-and-back
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes

Smell the hickory trees and brave your way through a tunnel to see the falls. Pro tip: to protect hibernating bats, the tunnel of this trail is only open May through October.

Indianapolis

Eagle Creek Park's Lily Lake is a great spot for a picnic when you're ready for a break. | Photo via @freezeframe56

Fowl Sanctuary South Overlook Trail, Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St.

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 5.1-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: Portions
Pet-friendly: Yes

Want to do some bird watching while you're working up a sweat? It's called Eagle Creek Park for a reason — keep an eye out for these feathered friends and don't forget to hit the Ornithology Center on your way out.

Who doesn't love a peaceful lake view? | Photo via @kstrauss79

Lawrence Creek Trail, Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N. Post Rd.

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 4.5-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes

Be cautious of mountain bikers on this beaten path with plenty of ravines to cross. Pro tip: the trail can get pretty muddy, so be sure to watch the forecast for rain.

Holliday Park's easy trails are fun anytime of year. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 4.5-mile out-and-back
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes

With more than 3.5 miles of trails, there are several vantage points to see the White River in the dense woods. You won't want to miss the labyrinthine rock garden entrance from the west side of the park.

Southwest Way Park earned the No. 7 spot on the list of quietest places in Indianapolis. Hear that? Us neither. | Photo by @imrachelschmidt

Southwestway Park Loop, 8400 Mann Rd.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.1-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes

Enjoy the shade in this heavily wooded park with 587 acres of trails to explore, including lakes, marshes, and a historic homestead. Pro tip: this park has also been rated one of the quietest places in Indy.

Putnam County

This hidden gem is less than an hour away from Indy. | Photo via @soilgladtotravel

Ed Dailey Nature Trail, Cataract Falls, 2605 N. Cataract Rd., Spencer

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.7-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes

If you want to see the falls raging, we recommend going after a good rain, but beware of muddy trails. Pro tip: have the falls all to yourself with an early morning hike.

Parke County

Turkey Run State Park is located in Marshall, IN — a little over an hour from Indy. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Trail #3, Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd., Marshall

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 1.9-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes

What do a suspension bridge, ladders, and a Punch Bowl have in common? You'll find out if you take this trail — recently named the Midwest's best hike in Midwest Living.

Morgan + Monroe Counties

We love a natural shelter from the rain. | Photo via @vangomakememories

Hike Bike Trail, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, 6220 Forest Rd., Martinsville

Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
Length: 9-mile out-and-back
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes

Wind through the forest of this 25,000-acre park that is split between two Indiana counties. Share the trail with mountain bikers and keep an eye out for wildflowers.

Brown County

There's no better season to visit Brown County than autumn. | Photo via @munzypix

Ogle Lake Trail 7, Brown County State Park, 1405 S.R. 46 W., Nashville

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.2-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes

See every side of this Brown County lake on a leisurely walk. You might even spot some wildlife.

Get the right gear

Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:

For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
For apparel that’s both flattering and functional, we turn to small business Aesthetic Built. We love the oversized scuba hoodies for women and the muscle scallop tees for men.
Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
We like this Teton hiking backpack.
Stay hydrated with this lightweight water bottle.
Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.