Cooler weather combined with beautiful color makes fall the perfect time to explore the great outdoors in Southern Indiana! We rounded up our favorite hiking spots that are even more beautiful in the fall!
Charlestown State Park
Charlestown State Park isn’t your average state park! Inside the forest lies the remnants of Rose Island, an amusement park that flourished in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, you can take a guided tour of the ruins or explore on your own.
Ferdinand State Forest
Ferdinand State Forest in Ferdinand is over 7,600 acres of scenic beauty! Hikers can pick from five different trails ranging from 1.3 to 2.5 miles through the woods and past several lakes and a lookout tower! There are also over 8 miles of mountain bike trails through the park.
Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell offers a number of unique trails that pass by lakes, creeks, caves, old growth woods, a beautiful stone bridge, and a historic village and cemetery.
The park also has an inn and restaurant, campsites, cave boat tours, a nature center, a water powered grist mill, and a memorial museum dedicated to astronaut and hometown hero Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom.
Wesselman Woods
Wesselman Woods in Evansville is the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States. Some trees are over 400 years old! The nearly 200-acre preserve contains several miles of trails, a nature center, a meadow, a bird sanctuary area, and the 5-acre Nature Playscape which is the largest in the US!
O’Bannon Woods State Park
O’Bannon Woods State Park is located in Corydon near the Ohio River. There are 10 trails to choose from ranging from less than 1 mile to 8 miles long. If you’re up for a true challenge, check out the 25-mile Adventure Hiking Trail, one of the longest backpacking trails in the state! In addition to hiking, O’Bannon Woods State Park also has caves to explore, a nature center, and a working haypress powered by oxen with demonstrations during scheduled events.
Hoosier National Forest
Spanning over 200,000 acres, Hoosier National Forest offers boating, kayaking, biking, horse trails, and of course miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails! There are dozens of trails and recreation areas within the forest to check out. Some of our favorite must-see spots include Hemlock Cliffs, the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower inside the Charles C. Deam Wilderness (pictured above), the Indian-Celina Lakes Recreation Area, Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest, the Buzzard Roost Recreation Area which offers beautiful views of the Ohio River, and the Lick Creek Trail which passes through an early 19th century free African American settlement.
Lincoln State Park
At Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City, you can wander through the same forests Abraham Lincoln did when he lived in this area as a boy. The 1,747-acre park has over 10 miles of trails including a 1.5 loop that takes you around beautiful Lake Lincoln. For history lovers, don’t miss the 1.7 mile Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood Walk trail that passes old home and mill sites that young Abe spent time at. You’ll also see the Little Pigeon Baptist Church and the gravesite of Lincoln’s sister, Sarah.
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge located near Oakland City is over 10,000 acres of diverse natural environments including rivers, wetlands, meadows, and old growth forest. The area is home to river otters and over 250 species of birds such as bald eagles, terns, and herons. Grab your binoculars and choose from nearly 10 miles of trails over marshes, prairies, and even a historic iron bridge!
Scales Lake Park
Located just northeast of Boonville, Scales Lake Park has a beautiful nature trail that’s perfect for a stroll. Prefer biking? The park has over 14 miles of mountain bike trails ranging from easy to difficult. The bike trails circle the park’s 66-acre lake. Don’t miss the park’s petting zoo! If you’re looking for a place to stay, Scales Lake Park has several lakefront cabins that feature gorgeous views, especially in the fall!
Ouabache Trails Park
Ouabache (Wabash) Trails Park is a 254-acre park right on the Wabash River in Vincennes, Indiana. It features 4 miles of marked trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds in a beautiful wooded setting. Other amenities include shelter houses, an archery range, a nature center, and mountain bikes available to rent. If you decide to stay a while, there are cabins, tent areas, and RV sites with a full service shower house and laundry center.
