Indianapolis is an amazing place for hiking if you ask us. It’s intensely scenic and full of awe-inspiring places to see and things to do – it might be one of the best hotspots for hiking in the Midwest. If you’re looking for some fun, easy hikes to enjoy ASAP, check these out and add them to your Indiana hiking trails bucket list! Here are some of the best hikes in Indianapolis with which to enjoy the great outdoors:
- South Westway Park
Kyle Swartz/AllTrails Head south of the city and you’ll hit the trail at South Westway Park. This 2.2-mile trail is rated as moderate but it shouldn’t give any hiker much trouble. Along this trail, you’ll run into a gorgeous section of the White River. Southwestway Park, 8400 Mann Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221, USA
- Fall Creek Trail, Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park
Vonnel Bennes Harold/AllTrails At one of Indy’s most iconic parks, you’ll find a few different hiking trails to enjoy. For an easy hike, we recommend this 2.7-mile loop trail. You won’t deal with too much foot traffic and you’ll get a lake view along the way. This trail is accessible year-round, and you can bring your furry friends along as well. Fall Creek Trail, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Trail Run at Marott Park
Nicole S./Yelp Located just 20 minutes north of downtown, you’ll find several beautiful, scenic trails at Marott Park. For an afternoon of outdoor enjoyment, we recommend the park’s Trail Run, a quick and easy 3-mile hike. Marott Park, 7350 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46240, USA
- Eagle Creek Orange Trail
Stephen Haddock/AllTrails For a quick, foliage-filled hike, head to the Orange Trail at Eagle Creek Park. Here, you’ll be treated to a 2.8-mile loop trail that’s perfect for hikers of any skill level. Along the way, you’ll have ample opportunity for bird-watching. Eagle Creek, Speedway, IN, USA
- Holliday Park
Patrick M./Yelp Holliday Park’s single trail is a perfect outdoor excursion during the fall. It’s a 2.9-mile trail featuring gorgeous wildflowers and a wide variety of bird species. It’s another easy trail that’s extremely kid and dog-friendly. 6363 Spring Mill Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260, USA
- Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve
Dwight Edwards/AllTrails With an easy rating, the trail at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve offers a quick, nature-filled hike featuring beautiful forest views, wildflowers, and the chance to see local wildlife. At just 1.3 miles long, this trail is perfect for hiking beginners or folks who are just looking for a quick, outdoor excursion. Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, 10410 Hague Rd, Fishers, IN 46038, USA
- Cheeney Creek Loop Trail
Kaushick Ranganath/AllTrails Head up north to the Fishers area to find this easy hiking trail. Located in the heart of Fishers, this one-mile hike offers a fun, quick hike along the Cheeney Creek Greenway. Stop off for a little fishing or enjoy the local wildlife. Bring the dogs along to this trail — just make sure they stay on leashes. Cheeney Creek, Fishers, IN 46037, USA
- 100 Acres Trail
Steven M./Yelp Part of the Indianapolis Museum of Arts’ 100 Acres outdoor art park, this trail is ideal for people of all hiking skill levels, especially families with kids. At just 1.5 miles, you and your loved ones will have no problem navigating this gorgeous trail on the museum grounds. 4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
Have you checked out any of these fun and easy hikes in Indy? Are there any other easy hikes you’d like to see on this list? What would you call the best hikes in Indianapolis? Let us know in the comments!
Kyle Swartz/AllTrails
Head south of the city and you’ll hit the trail at South Westway Park. This 2.2-mile trail is rated as moderate but it shouldn’t give any hiker much trouble. Along this trail, you’ll run into a gorgeous section of the White River.
Southwestway Park, 8400 Mann Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221, USA
Vonnel Bennes Harold/AllTrails
At one of Indy’s most iconic parks, you’ll find a few different hiking trails to enjoy. For an easy hike, we recommend this 2.7-mile loop trail. You won’t deal with too much foot traffic and you’ll get a lake view along the way. This trail is accessible year-round, and you can bring your furry friends along as well.
Fall Creek Trail, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Nicole S./Yelp
Located just 20 minutes north of downtown, you’ll find several beautiful, scenic trails at Marott Park. For an afternoon of outdoor enjoyment, we recommend the park’s Trail Run, a quick and easy 3-mile hike.
Marott Park, 7350 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46240, USA
Stephen Haddock/AllTrails
For a quick, foliage-filled hike, head to the Orange Trail at Eagle Creek Park. Here, you’ll be treated to a 2.8-mile loop trail that’s perfect for hikers of any skill level. Along the way, you’ll have ample opportunity for bird-watching.
Eagle Creek, Speedway, IN, USA
Patrick M./Yelp
Holliday Park’s single trail is a perfect outdoor excursion during the fall. It’s a 2.9-mile trail featuring gorgeous wildflowers and a wide variety of bird species. It’s another easy trail that’s extremely kid and dog-friendly.
6363 Spring Mill Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260, USA
Dwight Edwards/AllTrails
With an easy rating, the trail at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve offers a quick, nature-filled hike featuring beautiful forest views, wildflowers, and the chance to see local wildlife. At just 1.3 miles long, this trail is perfect for hiking beginners or folks who are just looking for a quick, outdoor excursion.
Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, 10410 Hague Rd, Fishers, IN 46038, USA
Kaushick Ranganath/AllTrails
Head up north to the Fishers area to find this easy hiking trail. Located in the heart of Fishers, this one-mile hike offers a fun, quick hike along the Cheeney Creek Greenway. Stop off for a little fishing or enjoy the local wildlife. Bring the dogs along to this trail — just make sure they stay on leashes.
Cheeney Creek, Fishers, IN 46037, USA
Steven M./Yelp
Part of the Indianapolis Museum of Arts’ 100 Acres outdoor art park, this trail is ideal for people of all hiking skill levels, especially families with kids. At just 1.5 miles, you and your loved ones will have no problem navigating this gorgeous trail on the museum grounds.
4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Indianapolis April 25, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best scenic hikes in Indianapolis? Honestly, what parts of Indianapolis aren’t pretty scenic already? With literally thousands of trails weaving all over the Hoosier State, how are you supposed to know which ones are the best? Well, why not try out some of these true showstoppers in and around Indianapolis? Some of our favorite scenic hikes around Indianapolis include such jewels as the Three Lakes Trail, which is nestled within the Morgan-Monroe State Forest and extends for ten miles. It’s one of the best trails in a stunningly beautiful forest with more than 28 miles of them, though the trail should probably be renamed the “Two Lakes” Trail nowadays. Head to the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and enjoy the incredible boardwalk hike there – as well as 42 flawless acres of woodlands (and a super cool historic pioneer cemetery). Holliday Park is another great one, and it’s a lot smaller, with just 3.5 miles of trails to choose from but more than 400 species of trees and flowers to admire along the way. Finally, for those looking for a challenge, do the Fire Tower Trail at Brown County State Park. It’s 2.2 miles long, crosses ravines and hills, and features some truly epic views. What are the nicest easy hikes in Indianapolis? With so many options for hiking trails in Indy, plenty are sure to be nice and easy – and that’s most definitely the case here! Do the Fall Creek Trails Loop at Fort Harrison State Park, for example. It’s 2.7 miles long and quite pretty, featuring gorgeous lake views and one-of-a-kind beauty that only Indiana can do. While at Fort Harrison State Park, do the Harrison Trace Trail, too. It’s 2.4 miles long, easy, and very straightforward thanks to being paved. There’s another lake, more lush greenery, and endless scenic views to behold. Alternatively, head out to Eagle Creek Park and do either the South Overlook Waterfowl Sanctuary Trail, which is 2.4 miles long and great for watching wildlife, or the Eagle Creek Red Trail, which is longer at seven miles long but features still more lovely lake views and wildlife watching. Trust us, you’ll be as obsessed as we are!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Indianapolis
April 25, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best scenic hikes in Indianapolis? Honestly, what parts of Indianapolis aren’t pretty scenic already? With literally thousands of trails weaving all over the Hoosier State, how are you supposed to know which ones are the best? Well, why not try out some of these true showstoppers in and around Indianapolis? Some of our favorite scenic hikes around Indianapolis include such jewels as the Three Lakes Trail, which is nestled within the Morgan-Monroe State Forest and extends for ten miles. It’s one of the best trails in a stunningly beautiful forest with more than 28 miles of them, though the trail should probably be renamed the “Two Lakes” Trail nowadays. Head to the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and enjoy the incredible boardwalk hike there – as well as 42 flawless acres of woodlands (and a super cool historic pioneer cemetery). Holliday Park is another great one, and it’s a lot smaller, with just 3.5 miles of trails to choose from but more than 400 species of trees and flowers to admire along the way. Finally, for those looking for a challenge, do the Fire Tower Trail at Brown County State Park. It’s 2.2 miles long, crosses ravines and hills, and features some truly epic views. What are the nicest easy hikes in Indianapolis? With so many options for hiking trails in Indy, plenty are sure to be nice and easy – and that’s most definitely the case here! Do the Fall Creek Trails Loop at Fort Harrison State Park, for example. It’s 2.7 miles long and quite pretty, featuring gorgeous lake views and one-of-a-kind beauty that only Indiana can do. While at Fort Harrison State Park, do the Harrison Trace Trail, too. It’s 2.4 miles long, easy, and very straightforward thanks to being paved. There’s another lake, more lush greenery, and endless scenic views to behold. Alternatively, head out to Eagle Creek Park and do either the South Overlook Waterfowl Sanctuary Trail, which is 2.4 miles long and great for watching wildlife, or the Eagle Creek Red Trail, which is longer at seven miles long but features still more lovely lake views and wildlife watching. Trust us, you’ll be as obsessed as we are!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Honestly, what parts of Indianapolis aren’t pretty scenic already? With literally thousands of trails weaving all over the Hoosier State, how are you supposed to know which ones are the best? Well, why not try out some of these true showstoppers in and around Indianapolis? Some of our favorite scenic hikes around Indianapolis include such jewels as the Three Lakes Trail, which is nestled within the Morgan-Monroe State Forest and extends for ten miles. It’s one of the best trails in a stunningly beautiful forest with more than 28 miles of them, though the trail should probably be renamed the “Two Lakes” Trail nowadays. Head to the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and enjoy the incredible boardwalk hike there – as well as 42 flawless acres of woodlands (and a super cool historic pioneer cemetery). Holliday Park is another great one, and it’s a lot smaller, with just 3.5 miles of trails to choose from but more than 400 species of trees and flowers to admire along the way. Finally, for those looking for a challenge, do the Fire Tower Trail at Brown County State Park. It’s 2.2 miles long, crosses ravines and hills, and features some truly epic views.
What are the nicest easy hikes in Indianapolis?
With so many options for hiking trails in Indy, plenty are sure to be nice and easy – and that’s most definitely the case here! Do the Fall Creek Trails Loop at Fort Harrison State Park, for example. It’s 2.7 miles long and quite pretty, featuring gorgeous lake views and one-of-a-kind beauty that only Indiana can do. While at Fort Harrison State Park, do the Harrison Trace Trail, too. It’s 2.4 miles long, easy, and very straightforward thanks to being paved. There’s another lake, more lush greenery, and endless scenic views to behold. Alternatively, head out to Eagle Creek Park and do either the South Overlook Waterfowl Sanctuary Trail, which is 2.4 miles long and great for watching wildlife, or the Eagle Creek Red Trail, which is longer at seven miles long but features still more lovely lake views and wildlife watching. Trust us, you’ll be as obsessed as we are!
