Looking to get out for a walk? Here are 10 places in South Central Indiana to go on a hike
With the unofficial start of summer now in the rearview mirror, children are out of school and area folks are looking for some outdoor activities.
One activity that a lot of people enjoy is getting away from the daily grind and enjoying some time outside.
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Here are 10 locations throughout South Central Indiana for area residents to enjoy a walk with Mother Nature.
McCormick's Creek State Park
Founded in 1916, McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick's Creek Park Road, Spencer, is Indiana's first state park.
The park has 10 different trails to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty and length.
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There are six moderate trails, two easy trails, one handicap-accessible trail and one rugged trail.
Other amenities at the park include the Canyon Inn, nature center, pool, campground and family cabins.
Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park, 333 E. State Road 60, Mitchell, is one of Indiana's oldest state parks.
Established in 1927, Spring Mill is home to eight marked trails.
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Those trails include three rugged trails, three moderate trails, one easy trail and one handicap-accessible trail.
Other amenities at Spring Mill State Park include the Spring Mill Inn, the historic Pioneer Village, a nature center and campground.
Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Morgan-Monroe State Forest, 6220 Forest Road, is located in both Morgan and Monroe counties in the gateway to southern Indiana.
The facility has nine trails ranging from easy to rugged.
There are three easy trails, three rugged and three moderate trails.
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One of the easy trails is the 5.2-mile Hike-Bike Trail that is handicap-accessible.
The forest also includes the 40-mile-long Tecumseh Trail.
Lake Monroe
Lake Monroe, 4850 S. State Road 446, Bloomington, can be found south of Bloomington.
While a lot of regional residents like to enjoy the lake, the park includes four walking trails.
Those trails include one easy trail and three moderate trails.
Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park is one of Indiana's most famous outdoor recreation locations.
The park has two entrances including 1405 W. State Road 46, Nashville and 1901 E. State Road 46, Nashville.
The park has 12 trails ranging from easy to rugged.
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Seven of the trails are considered moderate, three rugged trails, one easy trail and one trail that's considered both easy and rugged.
Other amenities at the park include the Abe Martin Lodge and campgrounds.
Lieber State Recreation Area
Lieber State Recreation Area, 1317 West Lieber Road, Cloverdale has three trails ranging from easy to moderate.
It has one half-mile easy trail, a half-mile moderate trail and the 3/4-mile moderate covered bridge nature trail.
Patoka Lake
Patoka Lake, 3084 N. Dillard Road, Birdseye, is located not far south of French Lick.
The park has three trails ranging in difficulty from moderate to rugged.
Other amenities at the park include a nature center and campground.
Shakamak State Park
Shakamak State Park, 6265 W. State Road 48, Jasonville, was established in 1929.
The park is home to seven hiking trails including two easy trails and five moderate trails.
Other amenities at the facility include a lake and campground.
Yellowwood State Forest
Yellowwood State Forest is located at 772 S. Yellowwood Road, Nashville.
The forest has six walking trails, including a portion of the Tecumseh Trail that ends at the Morgan-Monroe State Forest office.
Owen-Putnam State Forest
Owen-Putnam State Forest can be found at 2153 Fishcreek Road, Spencer.
The forest has two walking trails, both of which are considered moderate.
Other amenities at the park include horse and mountain bike trails.
Contact Reporter-Times editor Lance Gideon at lgideon@reporter-times.com or 765-342-1543. Follow him on Twitter: @LanceOGideon.
This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Spring Mill, Brown County, McCormick's Creek state park places to hike
