Regardless of the time of year, a good hike can make any day better. Instead of sitting on the couch at home, get out and enjoy nature! And no need to search for “hiking trails near me.” Here are some of the best hikes in Indianapolis under five miles. Check them out and see which one you want to start with today!

  1. Fall Creek Trail

Vonnell Benes Herold/AllTrails If you’re up for lake views, head to Fall Creek Trail at Fort Harrison State Park. This 2.7-mile trail can’t be missed, and it’s well-maintained all year, meaning you can enjoy this hike any day you choose. This is one of the most scenic hikes in Indianapolis. So start planning your visit by reading more about Fall Creek Trail. Fall Creek Trail, Indianapolis, IN, USA

  1. Southwestway Park

Aaron Garlits/AllTrails This 2.2-mile loop trail takes you by a beautiful section of the White River. It’s a wonderful, moderately difficult hike that isn’t heavily trafficked, so you’ll get to take in the scenery without interruption. Learn more about Southwestway Park Loop, and then grab your hiking boots and check it out. Southwestway Park, 8400 Mann Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221, USA

  1. Town Run Trail

Kaushik Ranganath/AllTrails This trail, open year-round, offers a brisk, moderately difficult hike on the northside of Indianapolis. Bring your furry friends along for a fun day hike. Read more about Town Run Trail to see if it’s the right hike for you. Town Run Trail Park, 5325 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240, USA

  1. Lawrence Creek Trail

Alyson Walbridge/AllTrails If you want a close-up look at Indianapolis’ beautiful wild flowers, as well as an opportunity for birdwatching, head to this 4.5-mile trail. This is one of the best hikes in Indianapolis. Learn more about Lawrence Creek Trail, and then pencil in your next visit. Lawrence Creek, Lawrence, IN, USA

  1. Schoen Creek Trail

Eric English/AllTrails One of the most popular trails at Fort Harrison State Park, Schoen Creek offers a 3.3-mile trail featuring amazing wild flowers and foliage. It’s another trail that’s perfect for birdwatching and experiencing the city’s unique forest views. It’s also one of the more kid-friendly hikes around Indianapolis. So read more about Schoen Creek Trail, and then bring the whole family to enjoy it. Schoen Creek Trail, Trailer Court Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA

  1. Red Trail at Eagle Creek Park

Stephen Haddock/AllTrails At Eagle Creek Park, you’ll find the Red Trail, which is a 5-mile loop that takes you throughout the park and around Eagle Creek. Plan your visit by reading more about the Red Trail. Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46254, USA

  1. Paul Ruster Trail

Matthew Therault/AllTrails At Paul Ruster Park, you’ll find a 1.2-mile trail where you can enjoy a quick and easy hike that is perfect for the whole family, including your pups! This is one of the best easy hikes in Indianapolis. So learn more about the Paul Roster Trail, and then visit it today. Paul Ruster Park Road, Paul Ruster Park Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46239, USA

Get to these easy-to-moderate trails while you can. They are some of the best hikes in Indianapolis. Many of these trails are open throughout the year, so be sure to enjoy them during each season.

Vonnell Benes Herold/AllTrails

If you’re up for lake views, head to Fall Creek Trail at Fort Harrison State Park. This 2.7-mile trail can’t be missed, and it’s well-maintained all year, meaning you can enjoy this hike any day you choose. This is one of the most scenic hikes in Indianapolis. So start planning your visit by reading more about Fall Creek Trail.

Fall Creek Trail, Indianapolis, IN, USA

Aaron Garlits/AllTrails

This 2.2-mile loop trail takes you by a beautiful section of the White River. It’s a wonderful, moderately difficult hike that isn’t heavily trafficked, so you’ll get to take in the scenery without interruption. Learn more about Southwestway Park Loop, and then grab your hiking boots and check it out.

Southwestway Park, 8400 Mann Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221, USA

Kaushik Ranganath/AllTrails

This trail, open year-round, offers a brisk, moderately difficult hike on the northside of Indianapolis. Bring your furry friends along for a fun day hike. Read more about Town Run Trail to see if it’s the right hike for you.

Town Run Trail Park, 5325 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240, USA

Alyson Walbridge/AllTrails

If you want a close-up look at Indianapolis’ beautiful wild flowers, as well as an opportunity for birdwatching, head to this 4.5-mile trail. This is one of the best hikes in Indianapolis. Learn more about Lawrence Creek Trail, and then pencil in your next visit.

Lawrence Creek, Lawrence, IN, USA

Eric English/AllTrails

One of the most popular trails at Fort Harrison State Park, Schoen Creek offers a 3.3-mile trail featuring amazing wild flowers and foliage. It’s another trail that’s perfect for birdwatching and experiencing the city’s unique forest views. It’s also one of the more kid-friendly hikes around Indianapolis. So read more about Schoen Creek Trail, and then bring the whole family to enjoy it.

Schoen Creek Trail, Trailer Court Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA

Stephen Haddock/AllTrails

At Eagle Creek Park, you’ll find the Red Trail, which is a 5-mile loop that takes you throughout the park and around Eagle Creek. Plan your visit by reading more about the Red Trail.

Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46254, USA

Matthew Therault/AllTrails

At Paul Ruster Park, you’ll find a 1.2-mile trail where you can enjoy a quick and easy hike that is perfect for the whole family, including your pups! This is one of the best easy hikes in Indianapolis. So learn more about the Paul Roster Trail, and then visit it today.

Paul Ruster Park Road, Paul Ruster Park Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46239, USA

What’s your favorite hike in Indianapolis? Let us know in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Indianapolis April 22, 2022 Jessica Bohl What are some scenic hikes in Indianapolis? There are so many wonderful hiking trails in Indianapolis. One of the most scenic areas around Indiana is Morgan Monroe State Forest. Just outside of the city, this 24,000-acre state forest offers seven hiking trails over 28 miles. The trails range from short, easy trails to a very difficult 10-mile Three Lakes Trail. Not only is there an abundance of trails at this state forest, the scenery is gorgeous. You will be surrounded by a lush green forest and towered over by stunning trees. Bring your camera, or just soak in the stunning nature. What are some kid-friendly hikes around Indiana? There are some awesome kid-friendly hikes in Indiana. And by kid-friendly, we mean hikes that are usually 1-mile and under and have little elevation gain. A really great family hike is Trail 5 at Turkey Run State Park. This park has amazing canyons and gorges that your kids will love. The trail is only .7 miles and features a really cool bridge. So be sure to check out this park and trail with your whole family.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Indianapolis

April 22, 2022

Jessica Bohl

What are some scenic hikes in Indianapolis? There are so many wonderful hiking trails in Indianapolis. One of the most scenic areas around Indiana is Morgan Monroe State Forest. Just outside of the city, this 24,000-acre state forest offers seven hiking trails over 28 miles. The trails range from short, easy trails to a very difficult 10-mile Three Lakes Trail. Not only is there an abundance of trails at this state forest, the scenery is gorgeous. You will be surrounded by a lush green forest and towered over by stunning trees. Bring your camera, or just soak in the stunning nature. What are some kid-friendly hikes around Indiana? There are some awesome kid-friendly hikes in Indiana. And by kid-friendly, we mean hikes that are usually 1-mile and under and have little elevation gain. A really great family hike is Trail 5 at Turkey Run State Park. This park has amazing canyons and gorges that your kids will love. The trail is only .7 miles and features a really cool bridge. So be sure to check out this park and trail with your whole family.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are so many wonderful hiking trails in Indianapolis. One of the most scenic areas around Indiana is Morgan Monroe State Forest. Just outside of the city, this 24,000-acre state forest offers seven hiking trails over 28 miles. The trails range from short, easy trails to a very difficult 10-mile Three Lakes Trail. Not only is there an abundance of trails at this state forest, the scenery is gorgeous. You will be surrounded by a lush green forest and towered over by stunning trees. Bring your camera, or just soak in the stunning nature.

What are some kid-friendly hikes around Indiana?

There are some awesome kid-friendly hikes in Indiana. And by kid-friendly, we mean hikes that are usually 1-mile and under and have little elevation gain. A really great family hike is Trail 5 at Turkey Run State Park. This park has amazing canyons and gorges that your kids will love. The trail is only .7 miles and features a really cool bridge. So be sure to check out this park and trail with your whole family.