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    Yellowwood State Forest

    4.4 (18 reviews)

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    Forest Office
    Ken N.

    Despite all the controversy over logging in the forest, there are still over 24,000 acres of mostly wooded property. So, I decided to try hiking one of the trails (Jackson Creek) on the north end of the park. The road into the park is newly paved and makes it easy to drive through from Jackson Creek Road off Highway 46. The road splits off to Yellowwood Lake Road and heads north. There you will find the Forest Office with maps and personnel to help you with any questions you have. Continuing north along Yellowwood Lake Road, there is a pull off/parking lot near where the blacktop paving ends. This is the access point for the Jackson Creek Trailhead. You can see a great view of the lake from the lot and also use the trail for access to the Tecumseh Trail that goes over 40 miles, or the Lake Trail, which has a 4.5 mile loop around Yellowwood Lake. But since it was hot and humid, I limited my journey to the 1.5 mile extended loop that has a list of 23 points of interest along the way (You can print this off from the website for the park.) The trail starts off wide and smooth, supposedly accessible by wheelchair for the first 1500 feet. However, a tree had fallen across the pathway about 100 yards in, so unless someone had a chainsaw on the back of his/her chair, they would not be able to go over it. Fortunately, I was able to step over it and continue on. The trail goes from mulch to pine needles, to dirt and a few boardwalks as it starts out. Every so often, you notice metal markers with numbers on them to indicate the points of interest. It may be something like the marsh, or a type of tree in the area, or information about the creek. Note that most of the old growth was removed by settlers about 200 years ago and the trees have been planted or grown back over the last 80 years. The trail merges with the Tecumseh Trail and the Lake Trail, so it gets a little confusing, but I went left and crossed the bridge over the creek to reach the loop portion of the Jackson Creek Trail. If you are following the numbers on the points of interest, choose the left path. This path becomes narrow as the trail takes on elevation to overlook the creek from a ridge. Note that the dropoff is rather sudden and the trail has lots of ferns and low growing plants that make the trail look even narrower. If you don't like feeling claustrophobic, then this isn't the trail for you. The trail becomes even narrower on the other side of the creek as the low growth plants become replaced by some waist high plants, some with thorns. Fortunately, the low rainfall made the footing secure and when crossing through the northern end of the creek bed, the trail was dry. The trail twists and turns and when in the areas of nearby trees, can become a bit tricky with all the exposed tree roots. Before long, I found myself nearing the end of the loop. Someone has made a split off to go down to the creek which confused me, but from that point, I could see the bridge I had crossed earlier, so retraced back to the right path and found my way back. This is a trail that requires you pay attention on the way in so that you can find your way back. It would be easy to miss the junction with the route back to the parking lot if you were talking. You might just be on that 40+ mile trail. Fortunately, if you remember the large sign that told you to go left at the end of the first part of the trail, you will remember to make a right turn to get back to the parking lot. Traveling through the woods and along the marsh fills the air with all types of sounds from birds and frogs. The trails do get a bit muggy as the trees block the wind and the bugs can be annoying. Be sure to check for creepy crawlies as you emerge from the denser parts...nobody likes ticks on them! I think with a little more attention, the trail could be a 5 star, but some of the markers were difficult to find and some of the signs could be a little more specific (like telling you to go left to keep ascending on the points of interest). And removing the falling tree and some of the dense undergrowth to make it less likely to come into contact with thorns and bugs would be nice. Review #951

    Cute trail next to the entrance, we saw so many different butterflies in the flowers!
    Madalyn L.

    So glad I found this place! Less crowded than Brown County and great hiking trails, we hiked for two hours and didn't a single person! One part of the road was flooded so I had to off-road my Prius a bit to get to the hiking trail but it was so worth it!

    Calvin & Sophie cooling off- great view!
    Sara B.

    What a great little park! Camping spots looked awesome but we were just stopping in for the day. There want a paid entrance fee, just to visit, which was nice. We did a little hiking along the trails and the relaxed by the water. It was very quiet and really beautiful. There were several people out in paddle boats (which they had available to rent) and fishing off the bridges. We let the dogs cool off at the edge of the water so of course that was the highlight of their day! Great park and I'd love to come back for the weekend sometime.

    Swinging like a monkey.
    Colleene B.

    This has become one of our very favorite hiking spots for the whole family. It's beautiful. We love hiking around the lake, watching fishermen, seeing trees beavers have gnawed, looking at the variety of plant life and animals. We love picnicking by the lake and watching the geese. The Lake Trail is our favorite. Very easy but enjoyable hike for children. Plenty of spots to get in the water, throw rocks, look for crawfish, build mini-dams.

    Tarun M.

    I liked this place better than lake Monroe park, except for the size of the lake. Things I liked about this place: 1. Has an extensive hiking trails around the lake. 2. The place is freed like other parks that ask for money to get inside. 3. The lake is quite pretty. 4. This place gives a feel of early years of camping and hiking. As roads are made up of sand and gravel around the lake.

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    Ask the Community - Yellowwood State Forest

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    Old Pumphouse Park - The pump at Old Pumphouse Park

    Old Pumphouse Park

    4.0(2 reviews)
    5.1 mi

    I'd call this a pocket park, if anything. Yelp has the category "parklet," which is appropriate, I…read morethink, because Old Pumphouse Park is a tiny little park. Yes, a parklet, if you will. (Will you?) There is a literal pump at this park, with a sign that tells you the history of the pump. It's not functional anymore, but it used to be set up as a place for families to get water who didn't have their own well, and for firefighters to do their thing. Now, of course, the town of Nashville has its own water system, and no one needs a water pump. But it's a fun relic. Old Pumphouse Park is pretty much in the center of downtown Nashville, right outside the public restrooms. How I enjoyed the park is: I sat by the pump, which sits under a gazebo by some beautiful hydrangea, and ate some chocolates that I bought down the street. This is a nice park to visit for a bit and sit at for a while, as you're making your way around downtown Nashville.

    While Nashville continues to grow and turnover the shops in the area, I was glad to see they…read morefinally started adding parks to the community. Sure, I know they have huge state parks in the area and the kids have playgrounds at the school, but they were missing the charm of having a quiet place, slightly away from the crowded streets of the town. So, when my day of shopping/eating/browsing was winding down, I finally noticed this park. Just a block away from the main drag through town, I was able to sit on one of the benches and appreciate the nice landscaping. The public restrooms are there too, so it makes sense to have a place for others to rest if someone in the group needs to use the facilities. Seems like there has been a pocket park here for quite awhile, but what I finally noticed was the mini shelter that covered an old water pump, the kind used to fetch water out of a well. There is a plaque about the ceremonial "burying" of the old pump back in 1949 when the town finally got on a public water system furnished from a lake in the state park. What makes this quirky is that an actual hearse was used to haul the pump to its final resting place after 60 years of service. There is even a photo of the horse drawn hearse posted in the mini shelter. What a strange bit of local flavor. Regardless of whether you enjoy reading these little bits of local lore, the park was well maintained and provided a nice place to take a break. Review #2779

    Photos
    Old Pumphouse Park - Nicely landscaped

    Nicely landscaped

    Old Pumphouse Park - Park benches and trees in this pocket park

    Park benches and trees in this pocket park

    Old Pumphouse Park - Original water pump (one of the few remaining) from the town's history

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    Original water pump (one of the few remaining) from the town's history

    Brown County State Park - Brown County campground site.

    Brown County State Park

    4.5(109 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    Our favorite state park in Indiana. My friends and I camp here for a four day weekend at least…read moreonce a year, and sometimes visit for just a day hiking trip and picnic. The campgrounds are excellent, especially Taylor Ridge. But be aware that you need to make reservations ahead of time, especially if you are planning a fall camping trip. Campsites sell out early. Shower rooms are decent, not wonderful. But satisfactory for a campground. Quiet hours are strictly observed, and the park rangers will pay a visit to your campsite if you aren't quiet after 10:00 pm Once we received a visit from a friendly park ranger when we were playing cards around 11 pm. We hadn't realized that we were being noisy at all but the ranger advised us that sound carries throughout the campground. Hiking trails range from easy to moderate. Trail maps are available are the trails are well marked. You will likely see deer and raccoons when hiking the trails. Some members of our group enjoy mountain biking too.

    Love the mountain bike trails. They have trails from beginner to advanced so there is something for…read moreeveryone. Love the very large campgrounds. The only bad I would have to say is twice while staying at the campground the power went out. I do NOT! Recommend staying at the INN, Abr Martin Lodge. It needs a major renovation. The air was out in all 5 rooms they tried to put us in. The beds needed a major cleaning. Two were pee stained sheets. The last had dead bugs. The overlooks throughout the park are breathtaking. A definite visit at sunset or sunrise.

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    Brown County State Park - Brown County State Park

    Brown County State Park

    Brown County State Park
    Brown County State Park - Playground

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    Playground

    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens - Dragon for the castles  and dragon theme this year.

    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens

    4.6(150 reviews)
    39.3 mi

    This is a great spot for locals and visitors alike! We stopped by from out of town thinking it…read morewould be a good winter activity for our little one while it's too cold to walk much outside. The conservatory exceeded our expectations! Admissions is affordable at $5 per person, but it was free the day we visited because of a reptile show! We got to see tortoises, skinks, salamanders, tarantulas, snakes, and more! Inside the conservatory, there are fish and a couple other critters permanently on display. The signage around the gardens is informative and interesting- and the plants are simply beautiful! So well cared for and healthy. I could have walked around the loop 5 times and noticed new things each time. There are several places to sit and relax throughout the gardens (we fed our baby on one of the benches). There is a restroom and coat racks- which you'll need because the gardens are quite warm! What a great find for the afternoon! Bonus that it's located right in a park, by a library, several cute places to stop and eat, and public art. The only downside I can think of is that there wasn't a ton of parking- probably more accessible when there isn't a special event going on!

    There is something about plants and nature that brighten up my mood. I came here on a gloomy rainy…read moreday, and it was the perfect decision to lift up my spirits. It's close to the highway so easy access and near my house - double plus. The admission to get in was $4 per person, and they take card - another plus for being inexpensive. They have plants for sale and host events/activities, the lady working was friendly and explained all of that. They have brochures in the front as well. Inside is so astonishing, there is so much to see. It's so beautiful, I adore and admire all of it. I love how things are labeled and have informational tidbits about the plants. They have ponds with live fish and waterfalls around. They have a restroom and it had a window so of course there is a plant inside, I love it. I'll have to take note next time I go here that it was very warm inside, I felt very hot so dress accordingly. There is parking available. Check hours before coming, holidays vary.

    Photos
    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens

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    Kephart Park - Climbing structures

    Kephart Park

    5.0(3 reviews)
    25.5 mi

    This park looks like Disneyland! The playground structures are absolutely amazing. Bargersville…read moreneeded this park for the kids for a long time. When I stopped on Friday morning to walk the dog, I was shocked to see the parking lot (which holds 60+ cars) almost full. They have 8 pickle-ball courts and they were full with a line of people waiting for a court The pangs of the balls were pretty loud and disrupted any peacefulness that the park has to offer. There is even a set of bleachers to watch the pickle-ball games. Anyway, the park does have an amazing playscape, perhaps the best in the Indy area. There are multiple climbing structures, swings for all abilities, a merry go round type structure and more. There is soft matting under the structures to keep the kids safe. Kids were having a blast. In addition, there is a colorful and awesome splash pad. There are nice benches, some covered, to sit and watch the kids. The park also has a walking trail into a wooded area, which is not paved, just gravel. There is some natural prairie vegetation. Trees have been recently planted. There are a nice set of restrooms including a family restroom. I also saw a small pavilion with picnic tables. Bottom line, while it's a bit crowded and loud, this is a great park with lots of fun things to do.

    This is a new 19-acre park located in Bagersville. It still has that "new car smell" and is very…read morewell maintained. It opened on July 1, 2023. There is a decent amount of parking available but this park does get packed. The park features 8 very nice, fenced in, pickleball courts, a large playground, an active splash pad. The park also have two shelters with picnic tables under them and some benches under small shelter-like structures that provides some relief from the blazing sun. The splash pad has a lot going on. There are sprinklers, pouring buckets, sprayers, waterfalls and lots more. It is very nice and open from 9am to 8pm. The playground is modern and is Divided into zones for children aged 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. It is laid on a combination of artificial turf and rubberized, mud-free, surfacing. The playground features a swing bank with traditional and ADA swings, a net cone merry go round, a slide on artificial turf covered hills and a small jungle gym structure with a couple of slides and bridges. The highlight of the playground though is the towering jungle gym with a bunch of tall slides, ropes, and bridges. It is one of the first things that you will see when you arrive at the park. Additional amenities at the park include a water fountain that is capable of filling bottles, a restroom facility and a patch of green space to play catch or just throw a blanket down and relax, hiking trails that lead to and from downtown Bargersville. It is a small, but very well designed park. I will admit, that it does get packed during nice weather, no school days, especially on weekends. I really like this park. Bargersville has began to invest in parks, which is nice. This is definitely a must visit while in the Center Grove/Bargersville area.

    Photos
    Kephart Park
    Kephart Park
    Kephart Park - Prairie grasses

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    Prairie grasses

    Jimmy Nash City Park

    Jimmy Nash City Park

    4.9(7 reviews)
    17.6 mi

    Being someone who grew up here this park was a staple of my childhood. Its changed some but overall…read morenot much. They have pickleball courts, basketball courts, a city pool with splash pad, multiple shelters you can rent for get togethers, trails to hike, disc golf course, playground for the kids, and the greatest sledding hill in Indiana come winter time. For the 4th of July, they always shoot off fireworks off the top of the hill for the whole town to see. Arguably one of the best city parks in all of Indiana given the hilly terrain and all the activities.

    This public park for Martinsville is comparable to Pioneer Park in Moorseville. There are four…read moretennis courts and two full size basketball courts or they can be used as four half courts. They have a full size pool with a water slide, a splash pad and a good size facilities building to accommodate their water park. Both parks are very similar in that respect. This park might have better shelters depending on your point of view but definitely a couple more with a total of nine. Most are fully enclosed and most have fireplaces. Most have some sort of playground equipment at each shelter location. These shelters can be more accomdodating in inclement weather or during colder weather. But enclosed ones have ways to open them up for summer weather such as one or more garage doors. Parking is plentiful at most shelters and all have access to a paved road. There are trails for hiking, a large fishing pond and a dedicated playground with a huge spaceship structure at its core. A dog park is available. My only complaint is there is no sign that I saw directing you to the restrooms. The obvious boy & girl restrooms at the rear dog park were locked.

    Photos
    Jimmy Nash City Park
    Jimmy Nash City Park - Playground

    Playground

    Jimmy Nash City Park

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    Michael’s Playground

    Michael’s Playground

    5.0(1 review)
    51.8 mi

    This is touted as Greenfield's very first inclusive playground. It is named in memory of the…read moregrandson of the city's mayor, Chuck Fewell. who passed away with a rare genetic disorder, Hunter's Syndrome. The park opened in June 2022 and is very, very nice. You will find this park just southwest of Greenfield Central Jr. High School and just off the Greenfield Baseball Park. There is more than ample parking available, but it could become tight during a baseball tournament though. One thing to keep in mind is that this is purely a playground. There is no green space, there are no trails, nor are there any tennis courts or basketball courts. I also did not see any restroom facilities, but that does not mean that they are not there. They have a decent sized picnic shelter with picnic tables under it. It is very nice. The play area has the rubbery mud free surface that is being used on most new playgrounds. The equipment is first class. There is a huge jungle gym with slides and a climbing net. There is a bank of swings with expression and traditional swings. You will also find congos, a saucer swing, a new age merry go round, and a sit and spin. Some of the equipment, including the jungle gym has a built-in shade and I love that they have placed benches around the play area where parents can sit and watch their littles. This inclusive playground features safety swings for children of all abilities, wheelchair ramps, and sensory stimulation such as musical instruments and roller-bar slides. It is first class and is in excellent shape. It still has that new car smell, so to speak. It is relatively small but has enough equipment to keep the littles entertained for s bit. This is a nice play option for those looking for a play space in Greenfield. I really like this playground and its inclusive theme. Many children with disabilities are left out of the planning of play spaces, but this one was actually designed with them in mind. I recommend checking this place out.

    Photos
    Michael’s Playground
    Michael’s Playground
    Michael’s Playground

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    Yellowwood State Forest - parks - Updated May 2026

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