Indiana Hiking Guide 2026-2027

Indiana Hiking Guide 2026-2027

Explore State Parks and Waterfalls Through Every Season, with Trail Maps, Directions & Local Tips

FULL-COLOR EDITION - Every trail, map, and season brought to life in vivid photography and illustrated maps.

Somewhere between the dune ridges above Lake Michigan and the limestone canyons of the south, Indiana holds more real hiking than most visitors expect. This full-color guide helps you find it, trail by trail, season by season, with the details a hiker actually needs and the images to help you picture every step before you take it.

Travel through every region of the state in order: the dunes and lakeside forests of the north, the hardwood ridges of Brown County and central Indiana, and the rugged canyons and waterfalls of the south. Every trail entry includes verified distance, difficulty, and terrain, plus directions to the trailhead and nearby food, lodging, and transportation - illustrated with full-color photos so you know exactly what to expect on the ground.

A dedicated chapter carries you through Indiana's four seasons - spring wildflowers, summer heat, fall's celebrated color, and winter's quiet trails - so this guide stays useful and beautiful whenever you pick it up. A safety chapter covers wildlife, weather, and what to do if a hike does not go as planned, and a full-color maps section pairs remote trailheads with the nearest emergency care.

Ready-made itineraries, from a first hiker's half day to a multi-day southern trip, take the planning off your hands, and a budgeting chapter breaks down entrance fees, camping, and lodging so there are no surprises.

A few questions this guide answers directly:

Is Indiana worth hiking? Yes. From Great Lakes dunes to canyon country, the terrain, and the color especially in fall, is more varied than most people expect.

What is the best season to visit? Every season has its own reward, and this guide's full-color seasonal chapter shows you exactly which trails suit each one.

Is this suited to families and first-timers? Yes, with trails and itineraries chosen for beginners and children, and clear photography that makes every route easy to picture in advance.

If you want a hiking companion that shows you where to go, what to expect, and how to plan it, in full color, cover to cover, this guide is ready when you are.