Are you looking to get outdoors to hike and explore as a family? While there are many beautiful hiking trails scattered across the Hoosier State, not all of them are short or easy enough for kids to tackle. That’s why we’ve gathered nine easy and totally kid-friendly hikes that are under one mile, but still completely breathtaking. They’re also some of the best hikes in Indiana.

  1. Trail 9 at Clifty Falls State Park

Wes H./TripAdvisor This gorgeous park is well known for its numerous waterfalls and incredible hiking trails. Trail 9 offers a moderate 1-mile trek through the campground to the nature center with plenty of incredible sights in between. You can learn more about this hiking trail on AllTrails. 1501 Green Rd, Madison, IN 47250, USA

  1. Trail 3 at Indiana Dunes State Park

GCWanders/TripAdvisor For a unique hike through sand dunes while taking in the sights of the stunning Lake Michigan, visit Indiana Dunes State Park. Trail 3 is perfect for kids at .75 miles, and it even offers incredible wildflower sightings in the spring. You can access a trail map on the AllTrails website. 1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304, USA

  1. Trail 5 at Pokagon State Park

management/TripAdvisor At just .7-miles long, this scenic trail in Indiana is perfect for kids looking for adventure. Hike through the woods that Pokagon State Park is so well known for while observing colorful wildflowers and unique birds. This hike ends at the beach, so you can explore the lake right after your trek. This is certainly one of the best hikes in Indiana. 450 Ln 100 Lake James, Fremont, IN 46737, USA

  1. Trail 5 at Turkey Run State Park

anono99/TripAdvisor This unique state park boasts gorgeous canyons and gorges that will have you feeling like you’ve stepped onto another planet. Kids will love exploring the tall trees and lush greenery you’ll find along Trail 7. It’s only .7 miles, but it connects to other trails in the park if you’re feeling particularly adventurous that day. Visit the Turkey Run State Park website to learn about some of the best hiking trails in the area. 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA

  1. Strahl Lake Trail at Brown County State Park

Christina R./TripAdvisor This popular state park is bursting with kid-friendly activities and hikes. The Strahl Lake Trail offers a .75-mile hike around Strahl Lake up to the nature center, offering glimpses of some of the park’s most remarkable trees and rolling hills along the way. 1810 IN-46, Nashville, IN 47448, USA

  1. Fall Creek Trail at Fort Harrison State Park

3MG1949/TripAdvisor Walk along the scenic Fall Creek during this 1-mile hike through Fort Harrison State Park. Kids will love exploring small bridges and patches of woods. They’ll also enjoy the duck pond waiting at the end of this hike. You can discover more of the best hikes in this state park on the AllTrails website. 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA

  1. Trail 10 at McCormick’s Creek State Park

Kelly F./TripAdvisor This .7-mile moderate trail goes through some of the best parts of Indiana’s first state park. The trek starts at McCormick’s Creek, passes through the old quarry, and then heads upstream where it eventually leads out of the canyon. Kids will love all of the incredible views of the canyon and trees along this quick hike. Check out this website to access a trail map. 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA

  1. Trail 4 at Chain O’Lakes State Park

JulietGSierra/TripAdvisor This amazing 1-mile hike takes your family past four of the park’s nine gorgeous lakes. Enjoy the best of this park by passing through woods and swamps to explore the different types of ecosystems found throughout this natural gem. 2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701, USA

  1. Trail 5 at Spring Mill State Park

SaltLife03/TripAdvisor This incredible park is bursting with fun for kids, but if you’re looking for an incredible hike, Trail 5 offers an amazing 1-mile journey. You’ll loop around the park’s lake while taking in some of the best natural scenery. You’ll end up in the park’s picnic area where you can reward your kids with a quick snack. 3333 IN-60, Mitchell, IN 47446, USA

Which one of these kid-friendly hikes will you be taking? What do you think are the best hikes in Indiana? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Wes H./TripAdvisor

This gorgeous park is well known for its numerous waterfalls and incredible hiking trails. Trail 9 offers a moderate 1-mile trek through the campground to the nature center with plenty of incredible sights in between. You can learn more about this hiking trail on AllTrails.

1501 Green Rd, Madison, IN 47250, USA

GCWanders/TripAdvisor

For a unique hike through sand dunes while taking in the sights of the stunning Lake Michigan, visit Indiana Dunes State Park. Trail 3 is perfect for kids at .75 miles, and it even offers incredible wildflower sightings in the spring. You can access a trail map on the AllTrails website.

1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304, USA

management/TripAdvisor

At just .7-miles long, this scenic trail in Indiana is perfect for kids looking for adventure. Hike through the woods that Pokagon State Park is so well known for while observing colorful wildflowers and unique birds. This hike ends at the beach, so you can explore the lake right after your trek. This is certainly one of the best hikes in Indiana.

450 Ln 100 Lake James, Fremont, IN 46737, USA

anono99/TripAdvisor

This unique state park boasts gorgeous canyons and gorges that will have you feeling like you’ve stepped onto another planet. Kids will love exploring the tall trees and lush greenery you’ll find along Trail 7. It’s only .7 miles, but it connects to other trails in the park if you’re feeling particularly adventurous that day. Visit the Turkey Run State Park website to learn about some of the best hiking trails in the area.

8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA

Christina R./TripAdvisor

This popular state park is bursting with kid-friendly activities and hikes. The Strahl Lake Trail offers a .75-mile hike around Strahl Lake up to the nature center, offering glimpses of some of the park’s most remarkable trees and rolling hills along the way.

1810 IN-46, Nashville, IN 47448, USA

3MG1949/TripAdvisor

Walk along the scenic Fall Creek during this 1-mile hike through Fort Harrison State Park. Kids will love exploring small bridges and patches of woods. They’ll also enjoy the duck pond waiting at the end of this hike. You can discover more of the best hikes in this state park on the AllTrails website.

6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA

Kelly F./TripAdvisor

This .7-mile moderate trail goes through some of the best parts of Indiana’s first state park. The trek starts at McCormick’s Creek, passes through the old quarry, and then heads upstream where it eventually leads out of the canyon. Kids will love all of the incredible views of the canyon and trees along this quick hike. Check out this website to access a trail map.

250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA

JulietGSierra/TripAdvisor

This amazing 1-mile hike takes your family past four of the park’s nine gorgeous lakes. Enjoy the best of this park by passing through woods and swamps to explore the different types of ecosystems found throughout this natural gem.

2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701, USA

SaltLife03/TripAdvisor

This incredible park is bursting with fun for kids, but if you’re looking for an incredible hike, Trail 5 offers an amazing 1-mile journey. You’ll loop around the park’s lake while taking in some of the best natural scenery. You’ll end up in the park’s picnic area where you can reward your kids with a quick snack.

3333 IN-60, Mitchell, IN 47446, USA

For more incredible short hikes to explore in the Hoosier State, be sure to check out these 8 easy hikes that are all under three miles long.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in indiana March 16, 2022 Jennifer Young What are three easy kid-friendly hikes around Indiana that are also some of the shortest? Indiana is filled with many kid-friendly hikes of all distances. Listed below are three of not only some of the most scenic hikes in Indiana, but also some of the shortest. You’ll want to explore them all.

  1. West Beach - Dune Succession Trail Indiana’s West Beach - Dune Succession Trail is a 1.1-mile loop trail in Indiana Dunes National Park. Because it’s an easy trail, it’s perfect for all skill levels. Most people use this trail from April through October for walking and nature trips.
  2. Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail Located within the Hoosier National Forest is Indiana’s Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail. This 1.2-mile loop trail, which has a moderate level of difficulty, is a popular trail for hiking and nature trips. The Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail is also a wonderful trail to explore year-round.
  3. Ogle Lake Trail 7 Indiana’s Ogle Lake Trail 7, which is 1.2-miles long, is a loop trail in Brown County State Park. Most people use this easy trail from March through November for hiking, running, and walking. What are three easy hikes in Indiana that are great for exploring year-round? There are several trails in Indiana that can be explored all year long. Listed below are three of our favorites. Which ones have you been lucky enough to explore?
  4. Cowles Bog Trail Located in Indiana Dunes National Park is Cowles Bog Trail, which is a 4.3-mile loop trail. It has a moderate level of difficulty and is mostly used for hiking, snowshoeing, and trail running.
  5. Clifty Falls, Hoffman Falls, Tunnel Falls Indiana’s Clifty Falls, Hoffman Falls, Tunnel Falls is a 6-mile loop trail in Clifty Falls State Park. It has a moderate level of difficulty and is a popular spot for camping, cross-country skiing, and hiking. If you love discovering waterfalls, this is the perfect trail for you.
  6. Pine Hills Nature Preserve Trail Located in Shades State Park is Indiana’s Pine Hills Nature Preserve Trail, a 2.7-mile, out-and-back trail with a moderate level of difficulty. Most people enjoy using this trail whenever they’re in the mood for a short afternoon hike.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in indiana

March 16, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are three easy kid-friendly hikes around Indiana that are also some of the shortest? Indiana is filled with many kid-friendly hikes of all distances. Listed below are three of not only some of the most scenic hikes in Indiana, but also some of the shortest. You’ll want to explore them all.

  1. West Beach - Dune Succession Trail Indiana’s West Beach - Dune Succession Trail is a 1.1-mile loop trail in Indiana Dunes National Park. Because it’s an easy trail, it’s perfect for all skill levels. Most people use this trail from April through October for walking and nature trips.
  2. Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail Located within the Hoosier National Forest is Indiana’s Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail. This 1.2-mile loop trail, which has a moderate level of difficulty, is a popular trail for hiking and nature trips. The Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail is also a wonderful trail to explore year-round.
  3. Ogle Lake Trail 7 Indiana’s Ogle Lake Trail 7, which is 1.2-miles long, is a loop trail in Brown County State Park. Most people use this easy trail from March through November for hiking, running, and walking. What are three easy hikes in Indiana that are great for exploring year-round? There are several trails in Indiana that can be explored all year long. Listed below are three of our favorites. Which ones have you been lucky enough to explore?
  4. Cowles Bog Trail Located in Indiana Dunes National Park is Cowles Bog Trail, which is a 4.3-mile loop trail. It has a moderate level of difficulty and is mostly used for hiking, snowshoeing, and trail running.
  5. Clifty Falls, Hoffman Falls, Tunnel Falls Indiana’s Clifty Falls, Hoffman Falls, Tunnel Falls is a 6-mile loop trail in Clifty Falls State Park. It has a moderate level of difficulty and is a popular spot for camping, cross-country skiing, and hiking. If you love discovering waterfalls, this is the perfect trail for you.
  6. Pine Hills Nature Preserve Trail Located in Shades State Park is Indiana’s Pine Hills Nature Preserve Trail, a 2.7-mile, out-and-back trail with a moderate level of difficulty. Most people enjoy using this trail whenever they’re in the mood for a short afternoon hike.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Indiana is filled with many kid-friendly hikes of all distances. Listed below are three of not only some of the most scenic hikes in Indiana, but also some of the shortest. You’ll want to explore them all.

  1. West Beach - Dune Succession Trail

Indiana’s West Beach - Dune Succession Trail is a 1.1-mile loop trail in Indiana Dunes National Park. Because it’s an easy trail, it’s perfect for all skill levels. Most people use this trail from April through October for walking and nature trips.

  1. Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail

Located within the Hoosier National Forest is Indiana’s Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail. This 1.2-mile loop trail, which has a moderate level of difficulty, is a popular trail for hiking and nature trips. The Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail is also a wonderful trail to explore year-round.

  1. Ogle Lake Trail 7

Indiana’s Ogle Lake Trail 7, which is 1.2-miles long, is a loop trail in Brown County State Park. Most people use this easy trail from March through November for hiking, running, and walking.

What are three easy hikes in Indiana that are great for exploring year-round?

There are several trails in Indiana that can be explored all year long. Listed below are three of our favorites. Which ones have you been lucky enough to explore?

  1. Cowles Bog Trail

Located in Indiana Dunes National Park is Cowles Bog Trail, which is a 4.3-mile loop trail. It has a moderate level of difficulty and is mostly used for hiking, snowshoeing, and trail running.

  1. Clifty Falls, Hoffman Falls, Tunnel Falls

Indiana’s Clifty Falls, Hoffman Falls, Tunnel Falls is a 6-mile loop trail in Clifty Falls State Park. It has a moderate level of difficulty and is a popular spot for camping, cross-country skiing, and hiking. If you love discovering waterfalls, this is the perfect trail for you.

  1. Pine Hills Nature Preserve Trail

Located in Shades State Park is Indiana’s Pine Hills Nature Preserve Trail, a 2.7-mile, out-and-back trail with a moderate level of difficulty. Most people enjoy using this trail whenever they’re in the mood for a short afternoon hike.