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!
- Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park/Facebook 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
- Fort Harrison State Park
Fort Harrison State Park/Facebook 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
- Pumpkinvine Nature Trail
Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail/Facebook 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. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Goshen, IN, USA
- McCormick’s Creek State Park
McCormick’s Creek State Park/Facebook 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
- Natural Valley Ranch
Natural Valley Ranch/Facebook 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
- Indiana Dunes National Park
Dave Phillips/Google Local 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
- Shades State Park
Jason Shaffer/Google Local 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.
Brown County State Park/Facebook
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
Fort Harrison State Park/Facebook
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
Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail/Facebook
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.
Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Goshen, IN, USA
McCormick’s Creek State Park/Facebook
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
Natural Valley Ranch/Facebook
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
Dave Phillips/Google Local
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
Jason Shaffer/Google Local
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
For more fun things to do in Indiana in the winter, you can take a look at our list of the best holiday lights displays in Indiana.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes in Indiana December 11, 2021 Tori Jane What are the best places for winter hiking in Indiana? Some of our favorite destinations for winter hiking in Indiana include:
O’Bannon Woods State Park Pokagon State Park Hiking trails that lead to frozen waterfalls
What are some fun winter outdoor activities in Indiana? There are tons of fun winter outdoor activities in Indiana such as:
Snow tubing Visiting a Christmas lights display Taking a carriage ride
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.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes in Indiana
December 11, 2021
Tori Jane
What are the best places for winter hiking in Indiana? Some of our favorite destinations for winter hiking in Indiana include:
O’Bannon Woods State Park Pokagon State Park Hiking trails that lead to frozen waterfalls
What are some fun winter outdoor activities in Indiana? There are tons of fun winter outdoor activities in Indiana such as:
Snow tubing Visiting a Christmas lights display Taking a carriage ride
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.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of our favorite destinations for winter hiking in Indiana include:
- O’Bannon Woods State Park
- Pokagon State Park
- Hiking trails that lead to frozen waterfalls
What are some fun winter outdoor activities in Indiana?
There are tons of fun winter outdoor activities in Indiana such as:
- Snow tubing
- Visiting a Christmas lights display
- Taking a carriage ride
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.
