Discover 10 of Indiana's Most Beautiful and Iconic Hiking Trails

The ‘Hoosier State’ is known for its vast farmlands, its love of basketball, and massive corn and soybean production. The state also has a lot to offer lovers of the outdoors and hiking. In fact, you will be so spoilt for choice that we have put together a definitive list so that you can discover 10 of Indiana’s most beautiful and iconic hiking trails. We’ve also added experiences recorded by hikers on the AllTrails app.

1.Turkey Run State Park – Ladders Trail

Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the Turkey Run State Park, which offers 14 miles of spectacular hiking. Trails are open from dawn to dusk and there are 11 numbered trails ranging in difficulty from ‘easy’ to ‘rugged’. Trail 3, also known as ‘The Ladders’ includes an unusual hiking experience – you actually have to climb ladders! These are found in both Rocky and Bear Hollows. It’s a roughly two-mile circular route for which you must have the correct footwear! Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead and you will have to get them up the ladders! A recent visitor commented “A little slick on the stairs but the gorge was warm and beautiful.”

2.Turkey Run State Park – Trail 2

What this trail lacks in length it makes up for in ruggedness! This is one for adventurous hikers only as it skirts under cliff edges, through Box Canyon and Gypsy Gulch. It is described as hilly but very satisfying and in the winter you can hire spikes from the visitor center to complete it safely. This trail is popular with bird watchers and is open all year round. You can take your dog but they will have to be on a leash. One recent visitor warns “Recommended trail for sunny days, as there are many inclines & scrambling involved where things get VERY slick.”

3.Brown County State Park Fire Tower Trail

Brown County State Park covers around 16,000 acres of rugged hills, ridges, and ravines. It has numerous hiking trails and one of the most popular is the Fire Tower Trail. This is a rugged 2.2-mile trail following a ridge behind the 90-foot-high Fire Tower. It then loops towards the north crossing both ravines and hilltops. Visitors describe “Excellent views on a grand old fire tower” but watch out for mosquitos!

4.McCormick’s Creek State Park – Falls Canyon Trail

This trail offers so much – a stunning limestone canyon, a flowing creek, and beautiful waterfalls. It is also called Trail 3 or McCormick’s Creek Waterfall Trail. It is a short 0.8-mile stroll taking less than 20 minutes but is challenging in places. Described as “Mostly easy with some moderate area to climb over rocks” you can add further trails in the state park to make a day of it.

5.Harrison-Crawford State Forest – Adventure Hiking Trail

If you are looking for a hiking trail in the central and extreme south of the state, this is a great option. There are loads of trails here but the Adventure backpacking trail is the longest. It’s a 25-mile loop that will take you about three days. Camping is allowed on the trail which also provides four shelters. It starts and ends at the Rock Creek parking lot and can be done clockwise or counterclockwise. A recent visitor who completed it in three days described it as “Gorgeous area for Fall splendor! Plenty of challenging climbs, very little traffic. Diversity of rock bluffs, fern paths, and towering tree canopy kept senses engaged.”

6. McCormick’s Creek State Park – Wolf Cave

This is another loop trail that begins at the appropriately named Wolf Cave Parking area from which you enter the Wolf Cave Nature Preserve. Then, it loops through a beech-maple forest and crosses Litten Branch. Check out Wolf Cave itself before returning. A visitor in 2023 described it as “Highly recommend for beginner to moderate hiker” but the trail has since been damaged by a tornado so check that it has reopened before heading there.

7. Shades State Park – Pine Hills Nature Preserve Trail

Pine Hills was the first dedicated nature reserve to be established in Indiana. This particular trail has some spectacular sights with wonderful names including the ‘Turkey Backbone’ and ‘Devil’s Backbone’. This very popular out-and-back trail near Waveland is described as moderately challenging and beautiful at any time of year. It’s about 2.5 miles long and was recently described by a hiker as a “Great trail with some really unique formations.” The Devil’s Backbone features stone carvings including a large bas-relief of the Devil carved in 1910.

8. Indiana Dunes State Park – The 3 Dune Challenge

Trail 8 at the Indiana State Park offers the ‘3 Dune Challenge’. You get to climb up the three tallest sand dunes in the state park scaling 552 vertical feet even though you only travel 1.5 miles. This is not for the faint-hearted as walking on sand uses up much more energy than walking on firm ground. It starts at the park’s nature center and can take as long as you want it to. But be warned, one visitor describes it as “More difficult than I thought, but super fun!”

9. Spring Mill State Park – Donaldson/Bronson/Twin Caves

Also known simply as Trail 3 at Spring Mill State Park, this spectacular route is a long loop trail of around 2.5 miles. It starts near the Donaldson parking lot and passes the Donaldson cave overlook. You will pass dense woods, sinkholes, and more caves! It also takes in Donaldson’s Wood Nature Preserve. It has been described as not a hard trail with “so many chipmunks”.

10. The Knobstone Trail

This is Indiana’s longest natural surface foot path and covers 48 miles. It offers high ridges with great views, you can even see the Ohio River on a clear day. Much of the trail runs through the Clark and Jackson State Forests and you will need to camp along the way. It takes between three and four days to complete during which you will have tackled 20,000 feet of elevation. It is described as a “Beautiful trail in fall with plenty of colorful foliage!”

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Christophe Merceron/iStock via Getty Images