Six places you can go hiking near Bloomington, Indiana, right now

Bloomington resident Cathy Meyer recently returned from spending seven days with a friend hiking over 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah National Park.

“I’ve had the good, the bad and the ugly,” she said. “A lot of good times, hiking with friends.”

On one hike in Georgia, Meyer and a friend encountered a bear which, unfazed by their attempts to distract it, stole their food. Since then she’s learned to use a plastic barrel vault that bears can’t open.

During the pandemic, many people have been itching to get out of their houses and spend time in the wilderness. Hiking trails have seen an increase in visitors that continues now.

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According to park and preservation authorities, hikers should watch for limited parking at the trails and try others if a specific trail is full. All visitors should be respectful of the environment, by coming prepared, removing any trash they bring in and not taking wildlife.

Lake Monroe to add trails

Interpretive naturalist for Lake Monroe Jill Vance said there are three trails at the state reservoir and three additional trails will be opening later this year, including a long-distance hiking opportunity.

Vance said her favorite is the 1.75-mile Turkey Trot Trail at Allen's Creek State Recreation Area.

The pandemic did not lead to a significant increase of hikers on the Lake Monroe trails, Vance said, but there was an increase in campers.

Fairfax and Paynetown state recreation areas have entrance fees. Hikers and other people on the properties are asked not to litter, to keep pets on a leash, not collect wildlife other than mushrooms, berries and nuts, limit themselves to foot traffic and not damage anything.

“Just be respectful and try to keep things nicer than you found it,” Vance said.

Sycamore Land Trust's hike on a boardwalk

Communications and Membership Director Kate Hammel said Sycamore Land Trust protects land and restores habitat in southern Indiana.

There are 13 public preserves with more than 30 miles of hiking trails. The nonprofit land trust is membership-based, but anyone can hike for free on the properties open to the public.

“Making these natural areas accessible is one of the ways that we remind people that we're all a part of protecting this land and that financial support is needed for our community to keep these preserves open to the public,” she said.

Hikers might encounter many diverse animals such as reptiles, amphibians, birds, owls, bobcats and more. The Sycamore Land Trust uses wildlife cameras to observe the species of animals on the preserves.

Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve is Hammel’s favorite hike on the preserves, she said, because it has a variety of wildlife and plants. The hike is 2.5 miles, more than a 1.5 miles of which is on an elevated boardwalk.

“We're certainly attracting people from all over the nation who are visiting this area and want to observe the natural beauty that we're protecting here,” she said.

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Leonard Springs Nature Park has caves, waterfalls

Steve Cotter, natural resources manager at Bloomington Parks and Recreation, said the main trail at Leonard Springs Nature Park is 1.1 miles long. Hikers can expect to see a cave, water flowing along the trail, exposed fossils and diverse vegetation as a result of erosion over the years. Signs along the trail give hikers information about the history of the park.

Anyone can hike at Leonard Springs Nature Park for free, but dogs must be on a leash.

“It’s a really cool property, both because of the karst features on it, which includes springs and caves,” he said. “It’s one of the first areas that was settled in this part of the state.”

Hoosier National Forest has many trails, some close to Bloomington

Marion Mason, public affairs specialist at Hoosier National Forest, said Pate Hollow Trail is the closest to Bloomington and about 8 miles long. The trail is a series of two loops, one longer and one shorter.

“It’s a hiking-only trail,” she said. “So if you don’t want to encounter other users, if it’s horses or bikes, that might be a good option.”

Hickory Ridge Trail is about 48 miles, she said, but hikers can choose small segments to hike. It’s a multi-use trail, Mason said, meaning hikers may encounter horseback riding and mountain biking.

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“It’s almost like going on a different hike every time,” she said.

Fork Ridge Trail is Mason’s favorite, about 3.5 miles and less used. Hikers can expect to see beautiful terrain on the quiet, natural hike.

The majority of the trails at Hoosier National Forest are free, but some of the larger recreation areas with trails inside have a fee. Mason said hikers are asked to minimize their impact on the environment by coming prepared, leaving any artifacts they may find, as the land was previously owned by Native Americans, and removing any trash.

McCormick’s Creek State Park has 10 trails

Kody Kirby, interpretive naturalist at McCormick’s Creek State Park, said there are 10 numbered trails at the park with a few unnumbered connecting trails. Trail 3 is popular as it brings visitors down to the waterfalls, he said, and the full trail is about 1 mile. Trail 8, which is wheelchair accessible, and 5 show off the Wolf Cave Nature Preserve.

“We have a really diverse landscape and ecosystem here,” he said. “I would encourage folks to look beyond those really frequented trails.”

Kirby said he’s surprised more hikers don’t explore trail 2, which goes past the Old State House Quarry.

“It’s really nice that we have that historic site,” he said. “A lot of stones in there went on to be used in the State Capitol building.”

Trail 4, a shorter trail that has its own fire tower, and trail 7 that goes toward the White River, both feel underutilized, Kirby said.

It costs $7 per vehicle for in-state visitors and $9 for out-of-state visitors to enter the park, Kirby said, but once the fee is paid all trails are available. Dogs are welcome on a leash, Kirby said.

McCormick’s Creek State Park also has a pool with a small fee, a restaurant and a company that provides horseback riding.

The Nature Conservancy options include 3 near Bloomington

Peter Bauson, The Nature Conservancy’s southern Indiana land manager, said there are three trails within an hour of Bloomington.

Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve, located in Monroe County, has a 1.2-mile trail. The first half is smooth, and after passing a rocky streambank, hikers will go to the top of the bluffs and encounter cedars that grow and hang over the edge.

The hiking trail has been renowned for its beautiful wildflowers, Bauson said, and people come from all over to see the display.

Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve is state dedicated, so it has an extra layer of protection, Bauson said. Anyone can come to Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve for free, with the understanding that they have as low of an impact on the environment as possible.

Meyer, a former naturalist with the Monroe County Parks and Recreation Department, advises all hikers, experienced or new, to protect themselves from ticks with long pants and sprays like permethrin.

“There’s all kinds of public properties around here with lots of trails, and most of the year, it’s good to get out,” she said.

Reach Luzane Draughon at ldraughon@gannett.com or @luzdraughon on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Best places to do outdoor hiking trials around Bloomington, Indiana