Under An Hour From Indianapolis Is A Scenic Nature Park With Fishing, Trails, And Wetlands

Indianapolis may be known for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," but the city and its surrounding region also boast natural beauty and green spaces. Under an hour west of Indianapolis, the 232-acre McCloud Nature Park welcomes visitors to explore its diverse habitats for free. With an arboretum, nature and astronomy programs, and the Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center, the park has been helping guests reconnect with nature since 2003. 

The park's restored iron truss bridge serves as an iconic symbol of the park as it spans Big Walnut Creek, a popular spot for fishing, wading, and paddling. More than 7 miles of hiking trails wind through wetlands, prairies, woodlands, ravines, grasslands, and reforestation areas. Bicycles are not permitted on park trails, while horses and off-road vehicles are prohibited in the park. Leashed dogs are allowed. "This park is a hidden gem, not that many people know about it," one Google reviewer shared. "That provides lots of opportunities to see wildlife such as bald eagles, soft-shell turtles, black rat snakes, etc. Big Walnut Creek is also a good fishing spot. Don't forget to check out the nature center, where they host educational programs."

McCloud Nature Park is open year-round and daily from dawn until dusk. The Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center has more limited hours, opening Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. While warmer months are most active for hiking, paddling, and spotting wildlife, many visitors enjoy the prairie maze hosted by the park every fall and cross-country skiing in the winter. Also consider annual events when planning your trip, like Maple Syrup Days in March and the Fall Colors Festival in October. The park makes for an accessible stop for those road-tripping through the Indianapolis region or flying into Indianapolis International Airport (IND), which is just a 40-minute drive away. 

Like Indiana's best destinations to kayak, Big Walnut Creek is a tranquil spot to paddle and follow the current when the water levels are high enough to support watercraft. There is convenient canoe access close to the parking lot for canoes and kayaks. "Fantastic canoe launch area. We put in here and took out at Bakers Camp Covered bridge. Great float! We saw 2 beavers, 2 deer, Great Blue Herons. It was a great day!" one visitor said. 

Anglers can also go fishing along the creek or from their boats as they paddle. "Excellent place for kayaking! We put in at McCloud Park and set out on a fishing journey to Pine Bluff covered bridge," a Google user said. Some of the most commonly found fish in Big Walnut Creek are smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, panfish, and suckers. Wading is allowed in the creek for those who prefer to fish while standing in shallow waters. Anglers fishing in McCloud Nature Park must follow all Indiana fishing regulations and have a valid Indiana fishing license, which is available online.

Reptiles, amphibians, and insects can be found at the Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center, which includes a bird-viewing room and resource library. Wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers should also check out the park's arboretum, which features native trees and plants. More than 90 bird species make their home throughout the park. "I especially loved the prairie and arboretum because they featured dozens of bird species, insects, and wildflowers and grasses. In fact, this was the first time I had encountered buttonbush, Illinois bundle flower, and arrowwood," one visitor raved. The McCloud Bee House is also located in the arboretum, and during the warmer months, visitors can observe honeybees through plexiglass. 

Unless you are looking for easy winter hikes near Indianapolis that look prettier with snow, McCloud Nature Park offers scenic wetlands teeming with life from spring to fall. Hikers can choose from 16 named hiking trails to explore the park's wetlands, woods, ravines, and 52-acre prairie. The 0.35-mile Smallmouth Run trail is one of the park's most trafficked trails as it conveniently sits beside the parking lot. The path circles the park's wetland habitat and includes a boardwalk and observation deck, letting visitors get up close and personal with the environment. Sycamore Bend Trail is also a fun and easy 0.88-mile hike that loops through a wetland habitat with views of Big Walnut Creek, making it an ideal route for wildlife spotting and bird watching. "Several places to stop and sit with peaceful views of Big Walnut Creek. Lots of wildlife, saw beaver, muskrat, groundhog, squirrel, deer and many birds and butterflies along this trail," an AllTrails user shared. 

For a high vantage point, the 0.13-mile Overlook Trail has three scenic overlooks: Cardinal Perch, Eagle Aerie, and Pileated Peak. Prairie View Trail crosses the park's prairie, which hosts the annual prairie maze in September and October. The longest named trail in the park is the 1.1-mile Red-Tailed Ridge, which offers a shaded woodland hike. Hikers should refer to the official park map to plan out their day and view all trail routes and points of interest. Several picnic tables, benches, and a rentable pavilion are scattered throughout the park for resting and picnicking. After you tackle McCloud Nature Park's outdoor trails, you may also want to consider exploring Downtown Indianapolis' cool culture trail.