Today’s guest post is part of the “Favorite Places to Explore Nature” series and comes from fellow nature lover Nicole of Arrows Sent Forth. Her blog had me hooked at its tagline: “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” ~ Kahlil Gibran. I’m thrilled she has stopped by for a virtual visit!
Thanks to Debi for giving me the opportunity to share my suggestions for best places to enjoy nature in Indiana. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Hoosier state is on many people’s radar for travel or as a great destination for outdoor fun.
That’s too bad because it’s a convenient place to get to — it’s actually within a day’s drive of 80% of the U.S. population. It’s also very affordable. And there are plenty of unique places to experience nature with your family. In other words, c’mon over!
I’ve divided my suggestions by region, beginning with the northern part of the state.
NORTHERN INDIANA
Indiana Dunes
Everyone is always shocked to learn that Indiana has a coast. Yes, it’s true! Indiana borders the southern tip of Lake Michigan and has 40 miles of shoreline.
Three of these miles are found within Indiana Dunes State Park. On a warm day, hit the beach, splashing in the gentle waves with the tall dunes looming behind you. If it’s not warm enough to spend time at the beach, take a hike among the dunes. You’ll see short wooden fences that designate specific hiking areas. Those fences ensure that native grasses can continue to grow, which help to protect these precious dunes from erosion. You can read more about my family’s morning at Indiana Dunes here.
Other ideas for outdoor fun:
- A toboggan ride at Pokagon State Park in Angola
- Observe wolves and bison at Wolf Park in Lafayette
CENTRAL INDIANA
Indianapolis Zoo
Within walking distance of the heart of downtown Indianapolis, you’ll find a fantastic zoo. We love going to the Indianapolis Zoo because it gives us a chance to interact with animals you don’t ordinarily find in our area. I’ve blogged about a recent visit here.
The grounds of the Indianapolis Zoo are stunning and immaculately kept. The living space for the animals is lush and spacious. The zoo prides itself on its conservation efforts, and was the first organization in the world to successfully artificially inseminate an African elephant.
A fun winter tradition for our family is attending Christmas at the Zoo, when the zoo is all lit up and decked out for the holidays. It’s a great reason to spend an entire evening outdoors despite the cold temperatures (hot chocolate in hand, of course!).
Glenn Flint Lake
This is a small lake in Putnam County, in west central Indiana. My parents keep a pontoon boat docked there in the summer. We love getting out on the water, then finding a small cove where we relax and swim.
While Glenn Flint Lake is small, there are many other lakes in Indiana to explore. Two of the most popular are Monroe Lake and Raccoon Lake. Both have pontoon boats available for rent. We prefer Flint Lake because it is so quiet and peaceful. We’re often the only ones out on the water, and we’ve spotted lots of birds and fish.
Other ideas for outdoor fun:
- Go for a canoe ride at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis
- Hike in creek beds and under waterfalls at Shades State Park in Waveland
SOUTHERN INDIANA
Brown County State Park
We’re lucky to live just 20 minutes away from this gorgeous state park. If you think Indiana is nothing but flat corn fields, this is where you should start your adventures. Rolling hills, breathtaking views and its fall foliage rivals any place in New England. (I can say that with authority — I’m from Connecticut.)
While Brown County State Park itself is beautiful, we especially love it for the family-friendly hikes. In fact, our first hikes with our son were at Brown County. I’ve written two blog posts (here and here) that provide more information about this Indiana gem.
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
I never knew of this beautiful spot near Seymour, Indiana until just recently. My family spent a terrific morning there this summer exploring the wildlife, hiking trails and visitor center. Two blog posts (here and here) give an overall synopsis of our time spent there.
There are several things that make Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge a great spot to enjoy nature with kids. Most importantly, it’s usually fairly quiet, creating a safe place for the animals to come to life while you observe. Second, the visitor center is very informative and offers lots of things that little hands can touch and little eyes can watch. Finally, it has a great, stroller-friendly hiking trail. It’s not often you can take a young toddler deep into the woods without having to worry about their tired legs or your tired arms.
Other ideas for outdoor fun:
- Hunt for fossils at Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville
- Walk through an Amazon rainforest at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville
Nicole Wiltrout is a stay-at-home mom and blogger living in Columbus, Indiana. Nicole blogs about adventures at home and away with her husband and 18-month-old son at http://arrowssentforth.blogspot.com. You can also find her on Twitter at @arrowssentforth. She has contributed posts to the Indiana Insider at Visit Indiana and Rookie Moms.
Looks like some great places to visit! The Sand Dunes look like a nice hike!
Great post. If only I lived within a day's drive! Hope to make it over there some day though…