It's been a little over 12 years since I moved into Lawrence Township. It's an area I love and I really love Fort Harrison State Park, however, having grown up in Pike Township I can't deny that I also really miss being a frequent visitor to Eagle Creek Park.
Eagle Creek Park is one of the nation's top 10 largest municipal parks with 3,900 acres of woods, meadows, and ponds along with 1,300 acres of reservoir. By comparison, Fort Harrison State Park is a total of 1,700 acres.
Eagle Creek Park's hours vary daily, though it almost always opens at 7am. Seasonally, closing hours change and range from 6pm in December to 9:30pm during the summer.
Pricing:
Annual: $60 Non-Marion County residents, $50 Marion County residents, $40 seniors (62+), Pedestrian/Bicycle $35, 50% off for veterans, $75 for the bark park (this is one dog, though additional dogs get half price).
Daily: $6 Non-Marion County, $5 Marion County, $1.50 for pedestrian/bicycle, no senior or veteran discount on a daily pass, $5 at the bark park, and buses can get in for $15.
There are quite a few areas available for rental: boat and bike rental, companion zones at the bark park, two wooded retreat facilities, 15 covered shelters, a beach shelter, and meeting/workshop spaces. The park's website has quite a few details.
The Earth Discovery Center is free with park admission, though does have more limited hours. Inside the center you'll find exhibits and information about native Indiana plants and animals, including aquariums with live native reptiles, fish, and amphibians, taxidermy mounts, and replicas. Other wildlife educational ambassadors may make appearances at scheduled program times. You can see a beautiful view of the reservoir out on the deck, or hop on the nearby hiking trails. Naturalists host over 100 nature-based public programs, events, and summer day camps.
The Ornithology Center may very well be my favorite space in the park. It has its own Yelp page and is amazing.
Go Ape Treetop Adventure is in the park (though priced separately) - 16+ is $59.95 and under is $39.95. This includes 5 zip lines, rope ladders, tarzan swings, etc.
Eagle Creek also features the bark park, a concert series, a golf course, a beach and swimming, watersports, a soccer complex, fishing, picnics/playgrounds, cross-country skiing, trails, and the Peace Learning Center. There are over 16 miles of trails.
Accessibility tends to be fairly strong here in most facilities. Not every activity is accessible nor is every trail, however, I actually consider accessibility stronger here than at Fort Harrison.
Oh, and yes, you really can see eagles at Eagle Creek Park!
This is definitely one of Indy's gems and I'm always grateful when I get a chance to return to this area and visit Eagle Creek Park. read more