I've been here so many times so I can't believe I have neglected to review it. We have done many…read moreday trips for hiking and picnics, and also some camping trips. October is the best time to camp or hike here, the leaves are beautiful and the trails are mostly dry. There are easy trails, moderate trails, and rugged trails. The suspension bridge is fun to cross, although there are 70 steps to climb, and they are fairly steep. It would be nice if a ramp was added for those who can't do steps. Park maps are provided when you enter the park, and most of the trails are fairly well marked. There is one trail that is marked but does not appear on the map, trail 12. Admission fee is only $7 per vehicle.

It's no real secret that I tend to be a little harsh in my reviews when accessibility is an issue,…read morehowever, nature is nature and I've never thought it made sense to be completely harsh because the natural world isn't as accessible as I'd like. So yeah, while Turkey Run is one of Indiana's prize state works it's also one of the least accessible ones. Established in 1916, Turkey Run is consistently named Indiana's favorite state park. It gets over 1 million visitors annually and it's Inn is known for being booked up to a year in advance. The Inn has 61 rooms ranging in price from $115-180, though if you use Booking.com you can often get more affordable rates. There are also 23 rental cabins (around $155 a night) and 213 campsites. Turkey Run is a gem for hikers, though it's worth noting that an awful lot of the hiking is not wheelchair friendly. Turkey Run has over 14 miles of hiking trails (11 trails, only one described as "easy"), picnic areas, a swimming pool, a nature center that I truly love, several historic sites (including some that have been made accessible, fishing, a sand volleyball court, tennis courts, a basketball court, canoeing/kayaking, and quite a few special events. For most of the sports fields, you have to bring your own equipment. There's an amazing suspension bridge. Again, not accessible as you have to do about 70 steps to get to it. For those who can, getting to it offers the Rocky Hollow-Falls Canyon Nature Preserve. I actually did do this bridge when I was younger, though as an older wheelchair user now I wouldn't even think about it. The bridge is over Sugar Creek, though there's no swimming in the creek. Turkey Run is spread out over 2,382 acres. It was Indiana's second state park. As a slightly morbid fun fact, Col. Richard Lieber has a memorial right around the end of Trail 11. Lieber is considered the father of Indiana's state parks and was instrumental in getting Indiana to become one of the first states with a significant park system. While I can't say that Turkey Run is truly my favorite park, it's one I visit from time to time partly because it's beautiful and partly because of nostalgia as it's a place my father loved to visit. He was born in deep, rural Kentucky and I think this park kind of reminded him of home. For those who love hiking, this is a must visit park. For those who appreciate a tapestry of history, that's also a reason to visit here. While wheelchair users and/or anyone with mobility concerns will struggle here, there's still enough to make this worth a day trip and/or a visit to the Turkey Run Inn for a weekend getaway.

Bear Creek Park is still in the beginning stages of development, as of this writing (September…read more2021). The parks department recently opened the park to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays, so people can explore the land and give input on what they'd like in the park. So my review is about the park in its infancy. I'll definitely be back when the park is done and do another review! This park is located in a neighborhood on the northwest side of Carmel, near Westfield. There are lots of native grasses and plants everywhere, and wide paths for hiking around the park. There are four trail loops right now, each a quarter mile or so. The hiking trails are short enough for even the most whiny, reluctant hikers (aka one of my children). Pretty much, the only thing to do at this park right now is walk around and look at all of the beautiful scenery. There is a single picnic bench by the port-a-potties, but other than that, it's just you and nature. And the park is not accessible to the public during the week days, only the weekends. But it's a beautiful patch of land, and I'm excited to see what Carmel Clay Parks & Rec does with the park.

Unless you are a skilled hiker, I recommend going to this beautiful nature preserve when the…read moreweather has been dry. There is about 90 feet of elevation change on the 0.8 mile loop that can be a bit slippery if you pick a time when mud/rain can be a problem. I only explored the north end trail during my visit. After parking in a shaded lot, I went into the park where I had a choice of left or right. The right side has a steeper descent than the left. Fortunately, there is a hand rail for stability. I figured it easier to go down the steep side than up, so I stayed on the right hand path. There is a fairly level area before you reach the "stairs". The stairs are mostly natural, so they aren't evenly spaced. Just keep focused and you should be alright. Once the trail reaches the bottom of the gorge, there are places where elevated paths keep your feet from trekking through the mud. Depending upon how much rain has fallen, you may get some mud, but my feet stayed dry the entire loop. At the base, there are deep ravines where the trees catch the sunlight and light up in brilliant yellow greens. The rocks are layered and take on a rusty color that can make for some great photos. The highlight of the loop is finding the "arch" through the ridge of rock. It was just a bit taller than my head (I would say most folks won't need to duck going through.) After that, you will start working your way back. Although I traveled the same distance up, it was gradual and not nearly as challenging as climbing steps. I didn't see much wildlife there, but there were squirrels and butterflies that showed themselves. I like a short hike that features a destination and great scenes along the way. If you like that too, then seek out this park. Review #2840

Great trail among beautiful landforms. It's a nice hike that makes for a good day trip along with…read moreWilliamsport Falls, Attica, and the courthouse murals on Covington.

Pronounced as KO-TAY-WEE which means "fire" and possibly "prairie" in the Miami-Peoria language…read more Located in Hamilton county. The park is unique. This place offers the following: Aerial Adventure trails, Archery Range & Pro shop, Bike trails, Canoe launch, Equestrian center & trail, Fishing, Green space, Hiking trails, Natural History center, Nature trail, Prairie, Sport and target archery. The park encompasses 800 acres with 8 miles of multi use trails and 3 miles of white river. The restored Native American village was pretty neat to see how they lived. I had many pix and unable to post as my pix didn't transfer to new phone. =(

Another great park in Hamilton County!…read more Strawtown Koteewi Park is one of the more unique parks that I've visited in Indiana, as it has multiple Native American structures outside to explore. This is a really neat park to visit with kids, because they can go in and out of the huts, climb in and out of the archeology excavation site, and just have a good time learning about how people used to live on the land before we came along. There is also a very cool visitor's center with artifacts and treasures from a time long past, like a life-sized dugout canoe, animal skeletons, pottery shards, tools and weapons, and lots more. I took a foraging class here this summer, and it was really great learning about the edible plants that are on the park property. Best of all, it was free! But the class was so good that I would have paid for it. Different classes happen all year long, and many of them are free or very little cost. This park is actually very large, and there are different sections where you can hike, go zip lining and horseback riding. The zip lining and horseback riding areas are seasonal, so they're not open all year long.

This is one of my new favorite places to go for a walk/ hike. There are so many trails to choose…read morefrom and when you enter the park on a sunny day, most of the trails to your right are shaded by the umbrella of trees. The trails to the left, on the other hand, are well- lit and sunny. On our most recent visit, my husband and I stumbled upon a very small cemetery. I thought that it might have been a pet cemetery due to its size, but after some quick research, my husband was able to find information regarding the family that it is believed to have belonged to. It was both creepy and cool at the same time. We walked a loop that was surprisingly dense at points and I was amazed at the fact that we didn't pop back out onto the main trail as quickly as I'd thought we would. There were some very steep slopes at points that were marked with cones that I found to be quite dangerous, but it's nature, so what are you going to do?! I love the preservation of this natural/ wild space. The sound of the birds in the forest canopy is calming and there are several places to stop, have s seat and just listen. There is also at least one of those tiny community libraries located there, as well as many other interesting features.

Growing up in the city of Danville, Illinois, there were always parks to enjoy nature. I would…read morenever expect that in the middle of Indianapolis, you could get lost in the wilderness. When me and my wife went hiking on these trails, I forgot we were in the city. It was so peaceful and pleasant and relaxing. This is definitely a place to go for a nice walk and tranquility. Even the squirrels, birds, dragonflies, and all of nature's creatures seem to enjoy the area. I can't wait for us to go back again.

A solid nature park to walk my dogs. The trails are usually well-kept, and it's never overly packed…read morewhen I'm there. We're able to get a good amount of walking in without getting bored, which I really appreciate. A peaceful spot for a steady, enjoyable walk.

The Town of Plainfield has successfully recovered this land from The Indianapolis Airport Authority…read moreand are making some very welcome improvements. I love the new name, Echo Hollow. Perhaps it honors our precious endangered Brown Bats, who have taken up residency in our little forest? I am extremely excited to see all the changes being made in my favorite little spot to connect with nature and wear out my elderly dog. Watching the new walkway being built that will allow us to walk out over the marsh and the pond keeps bringing me back with amazement.

The best trail for running in the West Lafayette/Lafayette area. On the southernmost point, you can…read morepark at Fort Ouiatenon, take the sidewalk 3/4s of a mile to the trailhead then follow the dirt path along the Wabash River up to the pedestrian bridge, where you can cross over to the Lafayette side or continue up a bit more on paved surface toward a small park, restaurants and the edge of Purdue's campus. If you head over to the Lafayette side, the trail continues on paved surface for a while before returning to a dirt surface and concludes at the Tippecanoe Battlefield Park in Battle Ground, roughly 13 miles from Fort O. The trail is mostly flat and runnable from start to finish. After heavy rains, the river regularly floods the southern part of the trail.

The Wabash Heritage Trail is 13 miles long making it a perfect training ground for a mini marathon…read more However, today we were exploring nature with our granddaughter. We started on the north end at Battleground Memorial. At the head of the trail is a sweet little nature center (Wah-ba-shik-a Nature Center) filled with descriptions of wildlife and fauna that are native to the area. My granddaughter was delighted to see the big white owl that greeted us at the door. The volunteer at the Center was welcoming and admission was free. They had maps for the trail that you can take. There are also special programs offered throughout the year. The trail starts and Battleground and extends all the way to Fort Ouiatenon. We only toured a couple miles along a creek that eventually meets the Wabash River. The trail is mulch covered and easy to navigate by foot. It would be difficult to maneuver a stroller or wheelchair onto the trail. The trail is lined with very large sycamores, oaks, walnuts and other trees native to the area. Some of the trees were at least 300 years older. The creek is clear and suitable for a little stomping. There are occasional benches along the trail as well as informational markers. There were also picnic tables and a water fountain at the trail head. We did not see any restroom facilities, but there were probably some in the Battle Ground Museum. The hike is quiet during the week. You can enjoy the sounds of birds and squirrels. I can imagine how beautiful the trail is when the leaves are changing color. There is some highway traffic noise as you get closer to the highway. The trail does not loop, so you have to backtrack to return to your car. There was plenty of parking at the Memorial. The map indicated that there were about five parking lots along the trail. We enjoyed the hike and will return to do a different section soon. I highly recommend.

Highland Park is a huge community park in Kokomo with lots of green space, recreational spaces and…read morea historic covered bridge. What I like best about the park are the mature trees that provide lots of shade. Some of the trees are over 400 years old. There is a huge colorful playground with climbing structures, swings and slides. The base is a mix of mulch and soft matting. Benches line the area for parents to sit and watch kids . (The equipment could use a good cleaning from the trees.) There are two ball diamonds with bleachers within the park. A beautiful stream that meanders through the park attracts fisherman. Tree-covered picnic areas are scattered along the creek. The Vermont Covered Bridge spans the creek and is open to pedestrian traffic. There are restroom facilities near the playground. There are several parking areas throughout the park and you can drive along the creek. Highland Park is a great place to bring the family.

This is a large park in Kokomo that truly has something for everyone. We were originally drawn here…read moreby the largest sycamore tree stump that is on display and the largest steer that is not alive, but a stuffed version is on display. There is parking right next to these attractions and easy access for those who need it. They were both behind glass so the glare made it hard to see both, but they were amusing. Right next to the display was a playground suitable for all ages. The slide is a bit high, and it seemed old, but in good condition. There are also covered picnic tables in the area. Down the ways a bit in the park is a red covered bridge that was fun to walk through and take some photos with. Lastly, there is a large pavilion stage area what was having an orchestra concert, free to attend, and the audience was partially shaded with some picnic tables in the back as well.

The Falls Creek Gorge is one of those places that if you go at the right time and/or have the right…read moreclothing/gear, you get a nice experience. Maybe even some great photos, too! The entire trek from parking lot to the potholes, then the mini waterfall, and then back the way you came to your car, is less than a mile. So, if you pack your car accordingly with a change of shoes or water shoes, you may not mind getting your feet wet if the water level is higher than when I went. Know that once you climb down a short stairway, you will most likely have to cross a slightly sloped rock area where water flows over it. I wasn't worried about getting my shoes wet (it was only about 1/4 inch deep) but because of the possibility of slipping and taking a hard fall onto the rock and sliding into the creek. The creek wasn't deep either, but rock is a lot harder than my bones, so I was careful as I crossed the area to the stairs that lead sharply up to the rest of the trail. I was fortunate that the water level was low and easily crossed to a spot where I could stand at creek level to view the potholes. The eddying current of the creek has worn a series of potholes in the river bed than make for a great audio experience hearing the water flow through them. The trail is steep at points and is narrow most of the way as you can get views from above the potholes and the creek. If you continue on the trail, it leads back to a mini waterfall that is only a couple feet high, but because of the setting and the sound, I found I was very pleased I went the extra distance to view it. I understand that the experience can be completely different after a heavy rain or in the winter when ice covers much of the creek. My advice is to know your own skill level at handling flowing water and ice before you undertake this park when the conditions are more challenging. Review #2843

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. This attraction was one of only two in Williamsport that enticed us…read moreto drive here from Indy. The gorge itself was splendid but upon our return to our vehicle we were welcomed by the local anti-economic development committee (the local police force) trying to scare us away. Weird. Oh well, enjoyed the trip anyway.

Eagle Creek Park is so beautiful during the warmer seasons. I took a walk on the red trail, an was…read moreable to take in the amazing sights. There is plenty to do such as taking a walk on the many trails, riding your bike, renting a shelter, kayaking, boating, going to the bird observatory and more! You can even go zip lining at Go Ape! The park is always clean and peaceful. There is a charge of $6 to get into the park, however you can purchase a year pass at a cheaper rate.

I visited here get a little exercise while in town recently and was impressed with the quality of…read morethe trails and hiking paths around. Parking was easy to come by on a weekday but I can see it getting tough on a nice weekend day. I thought the $8/day was a little steep and wished they had a weekly pass