Love seeing the beauty of the outdoors, but hate hiking? No problem! There are plenty of outdoor “hikes” in the Hoosier state that require minimal effort and offer great rewards. Here are eight of the best hikes in Indiana that are low-key and easy.
- Bluebird Hills Trail
Anna Hesser/Flickr This scenic trail located in Pokagon State Park spans under 2 miles and is relatively easy. The best part? You’ll stroll past some incredible natural wonders, including rolling hills, unique plant life, and restored wetlands. For more information about Pokagon State Park including a map of all trails, visit its website. Pokagon State Park, Park Office:, 450 Ln 100 Lake James, Angola, IN 46703, USA
- Hardin Ridge Trail
dancingnomad3/Flickr The forests of Indiana are truly stunning to behold, but you don’t have to hike around for half a day to enjoy their splendor. Instead, follow this 2-mile trail through some of the best sights in the forest for a quick and rewarding hike. Find it at 6464 Hardin Ridge Rd, Heltonville, IN 47436. For more information visit the Hoosier National Forest website. 6464 Hardin Ridge Rd, Heltonville, IN 47436, USA
- The Great Marsh Trail
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore/Flickr This gorgeous 1.2-mile trek through trees and some of the most beautiful spots in the Indiana Dunes is easy for you to walk or bike. it’s also wheelchair and stroller accessible. See the dunes like you’ve never seen them before on this quick hike. For more information and a map of the trail, visit the Indiana Dunes National Park website. Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA
- Trail 2 at Brown County State Park
Photographer/Flickr Heralded as the most stunning state park in Indiana, you’ll love exploring the beautiful woods along this 2-mile trail. You’ll walk past some of the park’s tallest trees and even pass by the Northern Overlook, where you can view the rest of the park’s rolling hills from up above. For more information and trail maps, visit the Brown County State Park website. Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
- Williamsport Falls
Paul Williams/Google Maps Photos If you really don’t want to hike, pull your car up to Williamsport Falls and just take a few steps to gaze at this incredible waterfall. While you can hike a bit to view it from different angles, you certainly don’t have to. Find it at 25 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993. For more information about Williamsport Falls and the Williamsport Falls Loop Trail, visit our guide. 25 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993, USA
- Trail 8 at Turkey Run State Park
Jim Grey/Flickr This popular park is home to incredible sandstone cliffs, gorges, and ravines. If you’re not feeling up to a lengthy and difficult climb, take Trail 8 to enjoy 1.5 peaceful miles of taking in these amazing sights, without climbing them. For more information and a map of all the trails at Turkey Run State Park, visit its website. Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA
- Fall Creek Trail
3MG1949/TripAdvisor This gorgeous hiking trail at Fort Harrison State Park is perfect for leisurely strolls alone or with kids. This 1-mile trek takes you across stunning footbridges, through lush forests, and to a quaint duck pond - you’ll feel like you’ve entered a storybook! For more information and a map of all the trails at Fort Harrison State Park, visit its website. Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA
- Trail 4 at Chain O’Lakes State Park
JulietGSierra/TripAdvisor This unique trail will take you through some incredible ecosystems. Just a 1-mile hike will have you exploring four of the park’s lakes, enchanting woodlands, and rare swamps and wetlands. For more information and a map of all the trails at Chain O’Lakes State Park, visit its website. 2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701, USA
Will you be enjoying any of these low-key hikes in Indiana on your next outing? Which one are you dying to try?
Anna Hesser/Flickr
This scenic trail located in Pokagon State Park spans under 2 miles and is relatively easy. The best part? You’ll stroll past some incredible natural wonders, including rolling hills, unique plant life, and restored wetlands. For more information about Pokagon State Park including a map of all trails, visit its website.
Pokagon State Park, Park Office:, 450 Ln 100 Lake James, Angola, IN 46703, USA
dancingnomad3/Flickr
The forests of Indiana are truly stunning to behold, but you don’t have to hike around for half a day to enjoy their splendor. Instead, follow this 2-mile trail through some of the best sights in the forest for a quick and rewarding hike. Find it at 6464 Hardin Ridge Rd, Heltonville, IN 47436. For more information visit the Hoosier National Forest website.
6464 Hardin Ridge Rd, Heltonville, IN 47436, USA
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore/Flickr
This gorgeous 1.2-mile trek through trees and some of the most beautiful spots in the Indiana Dunes is easy for you to walk or bike. it’s also wheelchair and stroller accessible. See the dunes like you’ve never seen them before on this quick hike. For more information and a map of the trail, visit the Indiana Dunes National Park website.
Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Photographer/Flickr
Heralded as the most stunning state park in Indiana, you’ll love exploring the beautiful woods along this 2-mile trail. You’ll walk past some of the park’s tallest trees and even pass by the Northern Overlook, where you can view the rest of the park’s rolling hills from up above. For more information and trail maps, visit the Brown County State Park website.
Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Paul Williams/Google Maps Photos
If you really don’t want to hike, pull your car up to Williamsport Falls and just take a few steps to gaze at this incredible waterfall. While you can hike a bit to view it from different angles, you certainly don’t have to. Find it at 25 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993. For more information about Williamsport Falls and the Williamsport Falls Loop Trail, visit our guide.
25 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993, USA
Jim Grey/Flickr
This popular park is home to incredible sandstone cliffs, gorges, and ravines. If you’re not feeling up to a lengthy and difficult climb, take Trail 8 to enjoy 1.5 peaceful miles of taking in these amazing sights, without climbing them. For more information and a map of all the trails at Turkey Run State Park, visit its website.
Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA
3MG1949/TripAdvisor
This gorgeous hiking trail at Fort Harrison State Park is perfect for leisurely strolls alone or with kids. This 1-mile trek takes you across stunning footbridges, through lush forests, and to a quaint duck pond - you’ll feel like you’ve entered a storybook! For more information and a map of all the trails at Fort Harrison State Park, visit its website.
Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA
JulietGSierra/TripAdvisor
This unique trail will take you through some incredible ecosystems. Just a 1-mile hike will have you exploring four of the park’s lakes, enchanting woodlands, and rare swamps and wetlands. For more information and a map of all the trails at Chain O’Lakes State Park, visit its website.
2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701, USA
For more hiking fun, check out these 5 amazing hikes that will lead you to gorgeous ruins.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Indiana March 09, 2022 Meghan Byers What are some kid-friendly hikes around Indiana? There are lots of easy hikes in Indiana that make for a perfect kid-friendly outing. Trail 9 at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison is an easy, 1.10-mile trail that meanders through forest and crosses a creek. During the summer you may see wildflowers and butterflies along the route! Turkey Run State Park in Marshall makes for a great day trip, with stunning gorges and ravines, and multiple trails to choose from that kids will love. Trails 5 and 7 in particular are both moderate and only about 0.7 miles long, with Trail 7 offering some beautiful views of Sugar Creek. There are boulders to climb and creeks to splash in along the way. For some lovely lakeside views, try Ogle Lake Trail 7 at Brown County State Park. This is a 1.2-mile loop trail around the lake and it’s relatively easy, although there are a few sets of steps. You can even bring the dog along (on a leash, of course), and at the right time of year you may spot some turtles and baby ducks on the water! For more kid-friendly hikes in Indiana, visit this guide. Are there any other scenic hikes in Indiana? Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail, located in Hoosier National Forest, is an absolute must-do. This short, 1.2-mile loop trail is moderately challenging and will take you into a slot canyon surrounded by oak and hemlock trees, and past a creek and seasonal waterfalls. You also can’t miss the unique geologic features at Turkey Run State Park, which has miles of trails to explore ranging from beginner-friendly to more challenging. And the Dune Ridge Trail at Indiana Dunes National Park will take you through a diverse range of habitats on a short 0.7-mile hike, with views of the wetlands and forest. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves have turned.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Indiana
March 09, 2022
Meghan Byers
What are some kid-friendly hikes around Indiana? There are lots of easy hikes in Indiana that make for a perfect kid-friendly outing. Trail 9 at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison is an easy, 1.10-mile trail that meanders through forest and crosses a creek. During the summer you may see wildflowers and butterflies along the route! Turkey Run State Park in Marshall makes for a great day trip, with stunning gorges and ravines, and multiple trails to choose from that kids will love. Trails 5 and 7 in particular are both moderate and only about 0.7 miles long, with Trail 7 offering some beautiful views of Sugar Creek. There are boulders to climb and creeks to splash in along the way. For some lovely lakeside views, try Ogle Lake Trail 7 at Brown County State Park. This is a 1.2-mile loop trail around the lake and it’s relatively easy, although there are a few sets of steps. You can even bring the dog along (on a leash, of course), and at the right time of year you may spot some turtles and baby ducks on the water! For more kid-friendly hikes in Indiana, visit this guide. Are there any other scenic hikes in Indiana? Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail, located in Hoosier National Forest, is an absolute must-do. This short, 1.2-mile loop trail is moderately challenging and will take you into a slot canyon surrounded by oak and hemlock trees, and past a creek and seasonal waterfalls. You also can’t miss the unique geologic features at Turkey Run State Park, which has miles of trails to explore ranging from beginner-friendly to more challenging. And the Dune Ridge Trail at Indiana Dunes National Park will take you through a diverse range of habitats on a short 0.7-mile hike, with views of the wetlands and forest. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves have turned.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are lots of easy hikes in Indiana that make for a perfect kid-friendly outing. Trail 9 at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison is an easy, 1.10-mile trail that meanders through forest and crosses a creek. During the summer you may see wildflowers and butterflies along the route! Turkey Run State Park in Marshall makes for a great day trip, with stunning gorges and ravines, and multiple trails to choose from that kids will love. Trails 5 and 7 in particular are both moderate and only about 0.7 miles long, with Trail 7 offering some beautiful views of Sugar Creek. There are boulders to climb and creeks to splash in along the way. For some lovely lakeside views, try Ogle Lake Trail 7 at Brown County State Park. This is a 1.2-mile loop trail around the lake and it’s relatively easy, although there are a few sets of steps. You can even bring the dog along (on a leash, of course), and at the right time of year you may spot some turtles and baby ducks on the water! For more kid-friendly hikes in Indiana, visit this guide.
Are there any other scenic hikes in Indiana?
Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail, located in Hoosier National Forest, is an absolute must-do. This short, 1.2-mile loop trail is moderately challenging and will take you into a slot canyon surrounded by oak and hemlock trees, and past a creek and seasonal waterfalls. You also can’t miss the unique geologic features at Turkey Run State Park, which has miles of trails to explore ranging from beginner-friendly to more challenging. And the Dune Ridge Trail at Indiana Dunes National Park will take you through a diverse range of habitats on a short 0.7-mile hike, with views of the wetlands and forest. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves have turned.
