Turkey Run State Park in beautiful Marshall, Indiana, has been called the “Grand Canyon of the Midwest” by folks who love to visit in the summer, but did you know that when winter comes around, this Indiana State Park becomes something of a magical, snowy wonderland? Come along as we delve in a bit deeper.

Turkey Run State Park is located at 8121 Park Road in Marshall, Indiana.

Ken Ratcliff/Flickr Its hard to imagine that this area only about an hour and 15 minutes west of Indianapolis, was once a primitive landscape. Part of what remains now are pristine sandstone walls along the gorges representing more than 300 million years of hard work by Mother Nature. And the spellbinding hemlock groves here have a very special majesty about them when they’re dusted with snow.

The waterfalls here become icicles in the midst of freezing temperatures.

Douglas Mills/Flickr And what are usually creeks and babbling brooks throughout the park become beautiful, frozen monuments to winter in Indiana.

Turkey Run State Park is just as beautiful in the winter as it is all year round - but something about the ice and snow give it a magical touch.

James Hansen-Flickr There’s something for everyone here, whether your favorite thing to do is hiking, horseback riding, camping, or checking out historic sites.

Folks curious about the flora, fauna, and geology of the region can learn all about it in the Nature Center.

Tennessee Wanderer/Flickr Guests who would like to camp at the park can, whether they prefer the more primitive camping sites at the campground or the more luxurious rooms at the Turkey Run Inn.

Even if you choose not to stay overnight…

Tom Gill/Flickr …a trip to Turkey Run is one of the best day trips in Indiana, and would likely be a very welcome and peaceful thing to enjoy with family or friends.

Enjoy all the little things the park has to offer, including vibrant wildlife!

Christine Wittenmeier/Flickr The Turkey Run State Park hours are from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, but we feel like that might just not be enough time to get through everything.

For more information about this gorgeous winter wonderland, including current entry fees and any adjusted hours, visit the official Turkey Run State Park website. You can also join the public Turkey Run State Park Facebook Fan Group.

Ken Ratcliff/Flickr

Its hard to imagine that this area only about an hour and 15 minutes west of Indianapolis, was once a primitive landscape. Part of what remains now are pristine sandstone walls along the gorges representing more than 300 million years of hard work by Mother Nature. And the spellbinding hemlock groves here have a very special majesty about them when they’re dusted with snow.

Douglas Mills/Flickr

And what are usually creeks and babbling brooks throughout the park become beautiful, frozen monuments to winter in Indiana.

James Hansen-Flickr

There’s something for everyone here, whether your favorite thing to do is hiking, horseback riding, camping, or checking out historic sites.

Tennessee Wanderer/Flickr

Guests who would like to camp at the park can, whether they prefer the more primitive camping sites at the campground or the more luxurious rooms at the Turkey Run Inn.

Tom Gill/Flickr

…a trip to Turkey Run is one of the best day trips in Indiana, and would likely be a very welcome and peaceful thing to enjoy with family or friends.

Christine Wittenmeier/Flickr

The Turkey Run State Park hours are from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, but we feel like that might just not be enough time to get through everything.

Have you ever explored a state park during wintertime? Which ones? What was it like? Tell us your stories in the comments and share your gorgeous photos!

For more al fresco winter adventures, be sure to visit Brown County State Park, the largest state park in the state of Indiana.

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Address: 8121 Park Road, Marshall, IN, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter Fun in Indiana November 26, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Where can we find other Indiana State Parks? Gorgeous Indiana state parks are dotted all over The Hoosier State, each one offering different insights into the history, geology, weather patterns and more in this part of the country. Among them are:

McCormick’s Creek State Park in Spencer Clifty Falls State Park in Madison Charlestown State Park in Charlestown Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City

  We’re looking for the best hiking in Indiana. The best hiking in Indiana is literally everywhere! From the big cities to city parks, small towns, and remote locales, you’re sure to find something that suits hiking abilities. A few of the most popular according to residents and visitors alike include:

The Pinhook Bog at Indiana Dunes National Park The Three Lakes Trail in Martinsville The Morgan Ridge East Trail in Derby Knobstone Trail of Fun spread across Clark, Scott, and Washington Counties

  Where can we go sledding in Indiana? There are quite a few wonderful places to go sledding in Indiana. Some of the slick hills you might want to try on for size include Freedom Park in Greenwood, Simon Moon Park in Westfield, and Rhodius Park in Indianapolis, just to name a few.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter Fun in Indiana

November 26, 2022

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Where can we find other Indiana State Parks? Gorgeous Indiana state parks are dotted all over The Hoosier State, each one offering different insights into the history, geology, weather patterns and more in this part of the country. Among them are:

McCormick’s Creek State Park in Spencer Clifty Falls State Park in Madison Charlestown State Park in Charlestown Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City

  We’re looking for the best hiking in Indiana. The best hiking in Indiana is literally everywhere! From the big cities to city parks, small towns, and remote locales, you’re sure to find something that suits hiking abilities. A few of the most popular according to residents and visitors alike include:

The Pinhook Bog at Indiana Dunes National Park The Three Lakes Trail in Martinsville The Morgan Ridge East Trail in Derby Knobstone Trail of Fun spread across Clark, Scott, and Washington Counties

  Where can we go sledding in Indiana? There are quite a few wonderful places to go sledding in Indiana. Some of the slick hills you might want to try on for size include Freedom Park in Greenwood, Simon Moon Park in Westfield, and Rhodius Park in Indianapolis, just to name a few.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Gorgeous Indiana state parks are dotted all over The Hoosier State, each one offering different insights into the history, geology, weather patterns and more in this part of the country. Among them are:

  • McCormick’s Creek State Park in Spencer
  • Clifty Falls State Park in Madison
  • Charlestown State Park in Charlestown
  • Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City

 

We’re looking for the best hiking in Indiana.

The best hiking in Indiana is literally everywhere! From the big cities to city parks, small towns, and remote locales, you’re sure to find something that suits hiking abilities. A few of the most popular according to residents and visitors alike include:

  • The Pinhook Bog at Indiana Dunes National Park
  • The Three Lakes Trail in Martinsville
  • The Morgan Ridge East Trail in Derby
  • Knobstone Trail of Fun spread across Clark, Scott, and Washington Counties

Where can we go sledding in Indiana?

There are quite a few wonderful places to go sledding in Indiana. Some of the slick hills you might want to try on for size include Freedom Park in Greenwood, Simon Moon Park in Westfield, and Rhodius Park in Indianapolis, just to name a few.