24 Indianapolis Area Hikes & Trails for Your Family

Parents are submitting their favorite family hikes in Indianapolis and beyond to our interactive map. Check it out to see the kid-friendly hiking trails near you, and leave a review to share your experience with any that you try.


Nature walks are a fun and usually free way to explore Indianapolis with kids. Keeping a few trail games in mind will help pass the time and keep spirits high!


 

    MacGregor Park

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Jaclyn Keifer said:  MacGregor Park in Westfield was our go-to park in 2020. The library does a StoryWalk in the meadow and the trails are perfect for all ages - even those in a stroller. There is a ton of wildlife here and a creek for stomping as well.

    Westfield, IN

    Holliday Park

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Holliday Park is one of Indianapolis' oldest parks, offering 94-acres of green space. More than 3.5 miles of trails wind through the park and along the White River. There are plenty of opportunities for exploring and spotting wildlife including many species of birds as well as deer, fox, beaver, rabbits and squirrels. Other attractions at the park include a playground, nature center and very cool ruins area.

    Indianapolis, IN

    Glenns Valley Nature Park

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Originally private land, Glenns Valley Nature Park was originally called Bluff Road Estates. The property owner deeded the land to the City of Indianapolis almost 25 years ago and several improvements were made. This park offer nature trails, a sledding hill for the winter, a picnic shelter and playground.

    Indianapolis, IN

    Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Tracy Snyder Molina said:  One of the largest museum art parks in the country, this 100-acre park is free to explore and features woodlands, wetlands, a lake, bird feeding and viewing stations, wild grass labyrinth and a sculpture garden.

    Indianapolis, IN

    Daubenspeck Community Nature Park

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Tracy Snyder Molina said:  This volunteer-run urban oasis features bridges, boardwalks, trails, an observation deck, prairie, creek, woods, and wetlands to explore with your family (including pets). This park is a popular stop for bird-watchers as well.

    Indianapolis, IN

    West Park

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Jaclyn Keifer said:  West park in Carmel Indiana rests on 120 acres and the play space is newer. In the front of the park is a pond with a boardwalk. There are multiple trails one of which zigzags up the hill which is perfect for bikes and is paved for strollers. There is a ton of open space for frisbees and the trails also lead to a wooded/marsh space that my kids love throughout the year. All of the trails are stroller friendly.

    Carmel, IN

    Zion Nature Sanctuary

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Beth Wood said:  The Zion Nature Sanctuary features 10-acres of wooded areas, wetland areas, nature trails and a shelter that is used for outdoor classes. Different trails include crushed gravel, steps, rustic trails, foot bridges and more. A stream and scenic overlook are ideal spots for exploring during your next nature hike together.

    Zionsville, IN

    Eagle Creek Park

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Tracy Snyder Molina said:  Eagle Creek Park consists of 3,900 acres of woods, meadows and ponds, and 1,300 acres of reservoir — a great resource for both wildlife and recreation. In addition to several hiking trails of varying lengths, the park also features the Earth Discovery Center which promotes environmental education through nature-based interactive classes and activities for visitors of all ages.

    Indianapolis, IN

    Sodalis Nature Park

    Rating 1
    Rating 2
    Rating 3
    Rating 4
    Rating 5

    Beth Wood said:  Sodalis Nature Park offers visitors 3.5 miles of nature trails that are wonderful for hiking. The nature park is comprised of 210 acres of woodlands. There is also a 5.5 acre pond with an ADA-accessible fishing pier, a wildlife viewing platform, a large pavilion and an ADA-accessible picnic area. The park often hosts nature programs and is a great place to see Indiana wildlife.

    Plainfield, IN

Primary photo:   Jamie Taylor on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

View Map
24 places in this list