Indiana's 7 Scenic Nature Walks That Show Off The Best Of Turkey Run State Park

At first glance, Indiana may come across as another mostly flat Midwestern state with a few rolling hills, but if you know where to look, you can find some really interesting natural landscapes. Turkey Run State Park is one of those spots. Hike through moss-covered gorges, sandstone ravines, old forests, and wildflower carpets next to a rushing creek. Don't be fooled on the drive in through cornfields — the stone hollows are hidden in the forest.

A little less than an hour and a half west of Indianapolis, Turkey Run is arguably one of the top state parks in Indiana. Its scenic, numbered nature trails range in difficulty from easy strolls to rugged climbs with ladders. Crossing a pedestrian-only suspension bridge over Sugar Creek is required to reach most of the trails. The main parking lot near the nature center is closest to the bridge, but there are a few smaller parking lots in other areas of the park that will get you closer to specific trails and points of interest. The network of trails all intersect each other, too, so you can plot out a course to suit most time constraints, but how do you choose? We can help with that. 

We've identified the most scenic trails in Turkey Run from a combination of Google reviews and the author's personal experience. There's something to see in every season, which also informed which trails made the list. Here are seven scenic trails to explore the best of Turkey Run State Park in any season.

One of the most loved trails at Turkey Run is Trail 3. It's not very long at just 1.7 miles, but you'll soon understand why Turkey Run is called "The Grand Canyon of the Midwest" after passing through scenic ravines like Bear Hollow and Rocky Hollow. The highlight for most (and dread for some) is climbing or descending several ladders in Bear Hollow, but Google reviewers still call it "amazing fun!" 

Take caution on this loop. It's rated very rugged due to the ladders, but you'll also likely end up hiking through mud and running water if there's been recent rainfall.

The 1-mile rugged loop that is Trail 2 takes you along and under cliff edges through Gypsy Gulch and Box Canyon on a narrow path through an outrageously green forest in the summer. If you visit in the winter, icicles hang along the edges, so watch your head! Some stretches are very slippery, regardless of season, so proper footwear and a handy stick or trekking poles are essential to minimize fall risks. Just be sure to check TSA restrictions before flying with camping items, like hiking poles.

Running along the southern banks of Sugar Creek is Turkey Run's "big-tree trail." While Trail 1 has lots of sycamores and walnut trees to admire, it also features two of the park's most aesthetic photo spots at opposite ends of its 3-mile route. On the eastern end is the Narrows Covered Bridge, built in 1882 and still making gorgeous reflections in Sugar Creek today. On the western end is Sunset Point, a viewpoint built specifically to provide a perfect view of Sugar Creek from the cliffs above.

For a mix of Turkey Run history and interesting erosion, choose Trail 4. It's 2 miles long and rated moderately rugged, passing the Coal Mine and Lusk Home near the Narrows Covered Bridge. You can't go inside the mine or the house, but both have informational plaques. The house especially is a "great little stop" according to a Google review. Continuing around the loop, you'll find the tranquil Punch Bowl, a low waterfall dropping into a pool that has carved out a hollow in the sandstone. It's a popular photo spot for visitors and worth a stop.

Trail 5 passes through beautiful wooded areas carpeted with wildflowers in the spring and enjoys views of the water before turning inland and up a ravine. It's infamous for its 140 steps, but if you follow the path clockwise, you'll walk down the stairs instead of up, meeting Trail 3 right as it descends into Bear Hollow. Trail 5 is 0.7 miles long, but to reach it, you'll first have to cross the suspension bridge and follow a portion of Trail 3 before it intersects Trail 5. Keep that in mind when choosing a total distance for your hike.

The official state park's description on its website for Trail 9 says it all: "The best trail to see virgin wood is also the most rugged. Be careful." While you will see some stunning forest on this 1-mile section, you have to get there first. Cross the Sugar Creek suspension bridge, turn left, and cover portions of Trails 3 and 5 to reach 9. Boulder Canyon and Falls Canyon both offer rocky ravines as you trek up to the ridge for those dreamy forest views. In the winter, Boulder Canyon has a stunning ice waterfall you can't miss.

For history and conservation enthusiasts, head over to the Turkey Run Inn and follow the easy, 0.5-mile-long Trail 11 through the woods to the Lieber Memorial. Colonel Richard Lieber was the father of Indiana's state parks, raising funds, building public support, and lobbying the state legislature. McCormick's Creek is Indiana's oldest state park, opening in 1916, and Turkey Run was opened later that year. Lieber even chose to have his ashes buried at Turkey Run. One Google reviewer highlights the Log Church on the way, which showcases a "rich cultural heritage of the region."