20 Breathtaking Places to go Hiking Near Indianapolis with Kids

One of the great things about living in Indianapolis is the sheer number of parks and the proximity to some amazing hiking trails and paths. If you’re ready to start hiking near Indianapolis, we have some great places for you.

Driving around the city, you don’t have to go far before you discover yet another place to play with your children. Many of these parks not only have play equipment and hard surfaces for sports activities, but they also have hiking trails that you can enjoy. Escape urban living for minutes or hours and enjoy the great outdoors in the center of a bustling city.

Where to go Hiking Near Indianapolis With Kids

There’s no question that there are some very special places to go hiking near Indianapolis, but the best spots for a hike with kids are really in the eye of the beholder. We look for hikes with a variety of trail distances and terrain. We love places that have nature centers or special kits to make the hike more interactive with nature.

The EcoLab at Marian University

3200 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis

This is our top pick for hiking near Indianapolis with young children and preschoolers because it’s such a hidden gem. The EcoLab at Marian University is open to the public for exploration and is also available for field trips, guided hikes, summer camps, and more. The NMP EcoLab boasts native plants, birds, beavers, bugs, owls, and more wildlife. There are so many things to see at the EcoLab, and there are even scheduled nature programs during certain times of the year. Check the calendar for birdwatches, beaver educational events, and more.

How to get to the Eco Lab: Parking is available off the driveway from Cold Spring Road. If the gate is closed or parking is full, find spots above the Eco Lab near the Allison Mansion. Please pay attention to parking restrictions.

Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park

1850 W 38th St, Indianapolis

The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, also known as the 100 Acres at Newfields, is free and open to the public. Guided hiking tours are available during specific times, but the trails aren’t too difficult to navigate on your own. Take a long hike around the lake or explore the art sculptures throughout the park. Mobile tours are available on your smartphone.

Eagle Creek Park

7840 W 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46254

Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest city parks in America and is definitely one of the gems of Indianapolis. There are a variety of activities to enjoy such as the Ornithology and Earth Discovery Centers, boat rental, playgrounds, and the swimming beach. Eagle Creek also boasts a number of hiking trails that the whole family can enjoy. Pack a picnic lunch and make it a day trip that you’ll want to repeat often!

Holliday Park

6363 Spring Mill Rd, Indianapolis

If you know me, then you have heard about why Holliday Park my favorite park in the city! A nature center, great playgrounds, a splash pad, and a number of shady spots for picnics and Frisbee, combined with the beauty of the “Ruins” make this a park you can find me at year-round. The hiking paths are easy enough for my 3-year-old, but long enough to get lost in for over an hour. Paths lead hikers down to the White River where there are plenty of opportunities to go creek stomping. Here are a few more places you can creek stomp, too.

Fort Benjamin Harrison

6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis

At Fort Harrison State Park, enjoy many different types of trails including staircases, elevated boardwalks that overlook the river, paved trails great for stroller hiking, and wooded trails for more challenging terrain.

Flowing Well Park

5100 E 116th St, Carmel

In addition to trails for hiking, Flowing Well Park has cold drinking water that flows from a well (hello, namesake), wetlands, fishing, and a creek for splashing around in. Visit in spring to soak in the beauty of the bluebells blooming throughout the woods. This is a great place for all ages to go hiking near Indianapolis.

Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve

10410 Hague Rd, Fishers

You won’t find swings and slides at this popular park in Fishers. Nine different trails, including an easy one-mile loop, will take you through gravel, dirt, and over boardwalks, as you discover wildlife throughout Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest

6220 Forest Rd, Martinsville

There are at Morgan-Monroe State Forest for every distance, skill level, age, and interest and most are loops. The one-mile Tree Identification Trail has 26 different trees you can name with the help of an identification booklet, available at the Forestry Office. The Hike-Bike trail is a longer loop at 5.2 miles, but it is ADA-accessible and paved the whole way. Experienced hikers might prefer the longer and more advanced trails like the Rock Shelter Trail. This three-mile loop follows a rocky creek bed to a large rock shelter along the trail and passes a small pond.

Urban Hiking in Indianapolis

Have you already visited Eagle Creek and Holliday Park and want to go hiking somewhere less popular? Check out Southeastway Park or Marott Park for urban hiking experiences that everyone will enjoy. You definitely don’t have to leave the city to feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle!

StoryWalk Hiking Near Indianapolis

StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson in 2007 as a way to encourage kids to stay healthy and active. The premise is book pages are laminated and posted along a trail and you follow the path to read the story. The trail is typically about a quarter of a mile, so while these experiences might not provide the best hiking near Indianapolis, kids will love the walk and can usually work off some energy at a nearby playground afterward. These engaging, literary strolls are popping up everywhere, but here are a couple to get you started.

Fishers StoryWalk

Each month, the Fishers Library and Fishers Parks and Rec reveal a new story on their StoryWalk. The StoryWalk rotates between many of Fishers’ beautiful parks, so check the Parks website to find out where this month’s story is located.

Hummel Park Story Walk in Plainfield

1500 S Center St, Plainfield, IN 46168

The displays include a complete picture book with literacy activities to enjoy together, and at the end of the story, a list of suggested books to read and activities to do outdoors. There are 18 displays at Hummel Park, with each display featuring a page of the deconstructed book. The StoryWalk at Hummel Park begins at the playground and follows the trail toward the Splash Pad and Restrooms. The trail is an easy-to-walk, non-gravel trail for all walking abilities and is accessible for adults and children in wheelchairs.

Stroller-Friendly Hikes for Families

Maybe you have very young children and are often pushing a stroller. Or perhaps you have multiple children and you can’t baby-wear all of them. No worries – we have you covered! Here are some more great places to go hiking (well, more like scenic walking!) near Indianapolis with your children in tow. Get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

If you live in Indianapolis, surely you know about or have frequented the Monon Trail. Try something a little different next time and make it a fun event! Park near the 75^th street entrance to the trails and walk south to Broad Ripple. Once you hit Broad Ripple you can grab lunch, coffee, and snacks, or ice cream at the trailside ice cream parlor BRICS. Other similar paved trails include the Zionsville Rail Trail, Pennsy Trail in Greenfield, Fisher’s Nickel Plate Trail, and the Fall Creek Trail. Note that the north part of the Fall Creek Trail has some crushed rock, so this wouldn’t be great for lightweight strollers.

The “Tow Path” that runs from the Monon along the canal south will lead you past several other stroller-friendly walking trails including the Newfield’s 100 Acres Art Park. This park has a number of art installations, throughout the woods, and around a lake. From the 100 Acres, you can cross the bridge over to Butler’s campus to explore Holcomb Gardens. Better yet, park in Broad Ripple to walk or bike the path and experience all three trails in one day!

Many other parks for hiking near Indianapolis have walking spaces that are stroller-friendly as well. There are paved and unpaved trails at Independence Park, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Meadowlark Park, and Holliday Park, to name a few.

Even More Hiking Near Indianapolis

Got a family of avid hikers in need of even more hiking hot spots in Central Indiana? The following list of parks, trails, and nature preserves come highly recommended by readers and Indy with Kids team members. Most are in minimally-developed natural areas, so you may find limited parking and restroom facilities. Plan accordingly. However, don’t let the lack of these conveniences keep you from venturing off the beaten path to discover some of the most peaceful spots in the area. Let the adventures begin!

Daubenspeck Community Nature Park

8900 Ditch Rd, Indianapolis

Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve

7201 Fishback Rd, Indianapolis

Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary

Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary, Indianapolis

Oliver’s Woods Nature Preserve

8825 River Rd, Indianapolis

Skiles Test Nature Park

6828 Fall Creek Rd, Indianapolis

Wallace F. Holladay Preserve

Parking on Flynn Road, near Indianapolis International Airport

Pogues Run Art and Nature Park

2300 Dequincy St, Indianapolis

Hague Road Nature Preserve

State Road 38 and Hague Road, Noblesville

Glenns Valley Nature Park

8015 Bluff Rd, Indianapolis

Nonie Werbe Krauss Preserve

SW Corner of 116th Street and Eller Rd, Fishers

Stable Chase Nature Sanctuary

11301 E Prospect St, Indianapolis

Cheeney Creek Natural Area

11030 Fishers Pointe Blvd, Fishers

Jacob Schramm Nature Preserve

1926 S 600 W, New Palestine

Take your outdoor adventures up a notch! See a beautiful local park from the treetops.

A beach…in Indianapolis? Yes, it exists! Soak up some sunshine at Morse Park and Beach.