The Best Hiking in Indiana

Looking for the best hiking in Indiana? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Indiana. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top hiking spots in and near Indiana

Marshall, Indiana

Hike the Canyons Loop of Turkey Run State Park

4.5

7.1 mi

Located 54 miles western from Indianapolis this is a really gorgeous state park. Entrance fee is $7 but it's totally worth the money (map included). You will find many trails which are leading through canyons and forest. I recommend beginning in the morning with trail 6, which will guide you thro...
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Gary, Indiana

Hike the Dune Succession Trail, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

4.5

1 mi / 150 ft gain

This hike provides a great opportunity to explore the variable landscape and terrain in Indiana Dunes National Park. From the parking lot head north on a paved walkway toward Lake Michigan's shoreline. Next, walk down the boardwalk to the beach. Once you reach the coast, you'll have amazing view...
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Marshall, Indiana

Hike the Turkey Run Trail System

4.5

14 mi

Turkey Run State Park is one of Indiana's most beautiful hidden gems. The fourteen miles of trails that intertwine Sugar Creek range from beginner to advanced and are easily accessible from the the park's visitor center. With the longest trail stretching only two miles, Turkey Run's trail system ...
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Madison, Indiana

Clifty Falls Loop

4.4

4.1 mi / 479 ft gain

This day hike in Clifty Falls State Park is a challenging workout with rewarding sights. Springtime brings wildflowers, and fall lovely colors, to the area.
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Spencer, Indiana

Hike to Cataract Falls, Lieber State Recreation Area

1 mi

Cataract Falls, in the Lieber State Recreation Area, has an upper falls (20 ft) and a lower falls (18 ft), located a half mile downstream. A covered bridge adds the scenic landscape. You can either take a short trail, or drive, to travel between the lower and upper falls.
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Nashville, Indiana

Hike the HHC Trail, Brown County SP

5.0

4.9 mi / 652 ft gain

HHC Trail (#8) in Brown County State Park is beautiful throughout the seasons. Highlights include views near West Lookout and Hesitation Point, while a creek and forest landscapes also make for a scenic hike. The trail starts from the parking lot by Ogle Lake. A trail map of the park is available...
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Indianapolis, Indiana

Hike at Eagle Creek Beach

4.4

6 mi / 200 ft gain

As you pass through the entrance of Eagle Creek, you will drive through windy roads surrounded in pine trees. There are signs telling you where everything is located. There are lots of different places to park depending on what you wanna do.If you like hiking, take a trip to Eagle Creek. They hav...
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Bristow, Indiana

Backpack the Two Lakes Loop Trail, Hoosier NF

4.0

16 mi

This is one of my favorite options for a quick weekend backpacking trip near Louisville. The trail forms a figure eight around 2 lakes - Indian Lake and and Lake Celina. Hiking the full outer loop around both lakes is about 16 miles, but if that's too much distance or you are short on time, you c...
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Brownstown, Indiana

Hike to Pinnacle Peak, Indiana

4.5

2 mi / 900 ft gain

Beginning at the trail head labeled for Trail 1/Pinnacle Peak, the trail changes a total of ~450 ft elevation in a mile through a rolling, hardwood forest to reach its namesake location: Pinnacle Peak. The view opens up to the southwest of the peak and shows the valley below and the distance farm...
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Unionville, Indiana

Hike the Low Gap Trail

4.0

10.1 mi / 2500 ft gain

Located in Morgan-Monroe State Forest, the Low Gap Trail (white blazes) offers forest, creeks, ponds, and rock formations. The trail runs partially on old forest roads. A good spot for birding, with camping options as well.
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Spencer, Indiana

Hike the Falls Canyon Trail

0.8 mi / 150 ft gain

Falls Canyon Trail (Trail 3) in McCormick's Creek State Park takes on challenging, hilly terrain. There are a number of creek crossings as you pass through the canyon – for this reason, seasonal water levels sometimes make this hike inaccessible. The trailhead is located across from the Canyon Inn.
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Dune Acres, Indiana

Hike the Cowles Bog Trail, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

3.0

4.4 mi / 200 ft gain

To get to the trailhead parking lot: take Mineral Springs Road towards the community of Dune Acres. Just before you get to the guard shack for the community, turn onto the gravel road to the right - there will be signs indicating Cowles Bog Trail parking. Once parked, walk back towards the Dune A...
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New Carlisle, Indiana

Hike the Glacier Flats Trail at Spicer Lake Nature Reserve

5.0

2 mi

The Glacier Flats Trail is a 1.5 mile loop that guides you through the Old Field Trail and past the Buttonbrush Wetland and observation platform. You will continue along the trail past an open field and then into the woods. Along the way you will enjoy the colors of the wildflowers and likely an...
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Indianapolis, Indiana

Trail Run at Marott Park

3.0

3 mi / 0 ft gain

Parking for Marott Park is right off of College Avenue and is easily accessible for anyone living in downtown Indianapolis or in the Broad Ripple area. We often take our dog here to run trails along the riverbed. You can cover several miles of trails here and crank out some hill repeats (which ca...
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Chesterton, Indiana

Hike the 3 Dune Challenge

5.0

1.5 mi / 552 ft gain

Start at the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center (the first exit off the roundabout in the park after the toll), after receiving your park map, and follow the 3 dune challenge. This challenge, looping trails 8 and 4, involves climbing to the top of Mt. Jackson (176 feet), Mt. Holden (184 feet)...
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Fremont, Indiana

Rolling Oaks Trail

2.07 mi / 213 ft gain

The Trine State Recreation Area is just off of the 80/90 Interstate in northeastern Indiana near the town of Freemont. You can find the trailhead of the Rolling Oaks Trail just north of the Wild Turkey Shelter. The Rolling Oaks Trail is a moderate 2.5 mile loop that takes you through the forest, ...
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