This place is a must especially if you have young children! I traveled 1 hour and 20 minutes to come here and had never heard of it until recently. Also to note, the drive past all the Amish home, horse and buggies and small shops was so cool! We arrived around 11 or 12 and it wasn't too crowded. The man at the cabin taking the money was extremely nice and informative! Actually all of the people working the attraction was super nice and friendly. The price seems maybe expensive but it's definitely worth it. The amount of animals you get to see up close and feed is more than what I expected. The wagon ride is the best! They give everyone 1 free tub of food to begin with then you must pay $1 for each additional tub. You could definitely get through the wagon tour with 1 tub if used sparingly. Toddler friendly. Definitely worth the time!See more..
5.0Exotic Feline Rescue Center(219 reviews) - Extraordinary place! Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
I think it's the only place in the world where you can hear a puma purring! It's clearly a sign that the animals are happy there, after being saved from the abuse, neglect and hunger. The stories that the owner tells will bring tears to your eyes, and seeing how much the cats love him is also very touching. They jump out the moment they hear his voice, begging him to pet them and play with them!See more..
4.5Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest(193 reviews) - An absolute blast for the whole family! Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Gardens
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest serves as a living laboratory for education, research, conservation and engagement with the natural environment. Gabis Arboretum offers a wide variety of activities, events and classes for people of all ages and interests. With 300 acres of magnificent landscapes, education programs and community events the arboretum has something for any interest. Popular attractions include the Railway Garden, which tells the story of American railroads in the context of a large display garden. Miniature trains run through outdoor displays showcasing American history.See more..
4.5Wolf Park(170 reviews) - A Must Visit Thursday: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos
Wolf Park celebrates 50 years of inspiring multiple generations of dedicated wildlife conservationists. Learn more: https://wolfpark.org/50years/ In 1972, Purdue professor Dr. Erich Klinghammer established Wolf Park as a nonprofit wolf education and research facility. Today, Wolf Park lives and prospers on 78 acres of beautifully-preserved rolling Indiana prairie 15 minutes from Lafayette/West Lafayette. Wolf Park is open daily for guided tours, summer camps, workshops, seminars, and special events. Visitors can hit the trail to see our resident ambassador wolves, foxes, and bison. Howl Nights offer visitors an up-close-and-personal view of our wolves and a chance to howl with the pack. Wolf Park's Visitor Center is open daily 9:30–2:30 pm. Saturdays until 9 pm for Howl Night. In order to see Wolf Park's animals, you must have a ticket for a guided tour or program. All available program times can be found at wolfpark.orgSee more..
5.0Black Pine Animal Sanctuary(130 reviews) - Amazing Place Thursday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
This 18-acre sanctuary provides permanent refuge to more than 100 captive-raised exotic animals for the REST of their lives. Quiet, informative tours of the facility enable visitors to enjoy close-up observation of tigers, leopards, bears, monkeys, reptiles, birds, lions, and more. Set in a beautiful pine forest in a natural wildlife area, this volunteer-staffed non-profit refuge is one of the most well-respected in the nation, and does not buy, sell, breed, or trade animals. Black Pine is a hidden treasure for nature lovers of all ages! Free parking. Picnics welcomed. Tours available year-round. Inquire for tour times, other program offerings, and special events throughout the year.See more..
Wanted to see the Sandhill Cranes, and did we! Several different flocks flew overhead while visiting. The refuge is easily found off the interstate.. Be sure to stop at info area inside front gate, to pick up brochures for your visit.. Due to Covid closure, we didn't get to see the visitor center...maybe next time! The refuge is nice sized, well maintained, and I liked the ease of getting around to view it all. We visited on a cold, windy day so not much hiking, but plentiful trails to explore. We did see several species of birds. Will definitely go again for more exploration! See more..
4.5Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve(76 reviews) - Lovely Hiking Trail Along Coffee Creek Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Scenic Walking Areas
The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve is a 157-acre complex of wetlands, woodlands, and prairie. More than 400 native plant species have been identified on the property. The magnificent display of wildflowers from spring through fall is one of The Preserve’s most notable features. Many common mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies make their homes here, and there is a diverse birdlife, including both nesting and migratory species. Coffee Creek is one of the healthiest streams in the southern Lake Michigan watershed. Salmon, trout, and many other fish swim in its waters. The Preserve is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. A system of trails, including a three-mile loop around the perimeter, is popular with hikers, joggers, dog walkers, birders, and other nature lovers. Photographers are attracted by the abundant wildlife and wildflowers. Anglers find fishing in the creek excellent. A variety of classes, workshops, and hikes are provided throughout the year.See more..
Oh! We loved this! This was the second time we came out here and found that coming in the morning was important. The people are very informative and dedicated, leaving you feeling very secure, especially when you are inside the cages with the wolves. There are only certain ones you are allowed to go in with. Even with having dogs my whole life, this experience was quite different and I was honestly nervous. My husband and daughter were eager and made me feel more at ease. Knowing they are wild animals, demands respect. The wolves pace, and gather, and will come up to you. The morning is their best time because it is cooler, as the day goes on the heat makes them want to find shelter and sleep. There is a fee to go in with the wolves and you can also make a donation to this habitat at any time. They have a gift shoppe on site too. Very cool experience!See more..
This place is so beautiful.. It is awesome to walk the trails through the woods. It gives you the feeling of being out in the country even though you are in the middle of the city. I just love being among all the big trees and hoping to get a glimpse of some of the wildlife there. There is also tennis courts located there and places to sit and have a picnic.See more..
4.5Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve(65 reviews) - Very entertaining. Closed now - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
We visited the preserve today and had a great time. "Tour" was about 45 minutes and guide drove us out the herd. The Buffalo were generally grouped together under some trees about 60 yards distant but when he pulled off to the side of his two-track and stopped the herd slowly made their way up to the truck. He pointed out the cows and bulls and talked about their breeding, life span etc. At this time of the year they about 40+ calves with their moms. We had a great time and learned a lot.See more..
4.5Patoka Lake Winery(62 reviews) - Hidden getaway in the Midwest Thursday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM State Parks • Wineries & Vineyards • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Wine Tours & Tastings • Wine Bars
If you are looking for a nice place to get away, look no further. The winery offers not only great wine, but a cozy place to stay overnight. Conveniently located in Southern Indiana, this place is a must stop. We enjoyed the wines they offered. The wine slushes were top notch. The winery offers 8 tastings for $10.00. On the weekend, it even includes a bowl of soup. The atmosphere is very relaxing. The room was very nice. The Jacuzzi tub was relaxing and there was no shortage of hot water. It was nice to be able to stay overnight after an evening of drinking. Please make sure you check this place out. We were told that during the summer you should expect longer waits, due to the proximity of the lake. If you are looking for a winter destination, make sure you book a room here. See more..
Raccoon State Recreation Area is surrounded by Cecil M Harden Lake (Raccoon Lake), a 2,060 acre federal flood control reservoir. Raccoon is a popular camping, boating and fishing spot in western Indiana. The park has over 300 electric and non-electric camping spots with modern restroom and shower facilities, a swimming beach with a beach house containing showers and a concession stand, 10 picnic shelters, 5 boat launching ramps (one inside the SRA and 4 around the lake), a 3-D archery trail, 335 acres of huntable land (off Ferndale road on the south side of the lake), and 8 miles of hiking trails with views of rocky cliffs, the lake, second-growth forests and prairie restorations. The park also has an Interpretive Naturalist program with regular programs every weekend Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. up-to-date program brochure detailing all the fun hikes, crafts and activities at the park can be found at the property office.See more..
We heard that thousands of sandhill cranes migrated here. We have always wanted to see this. They are there at sunrise and sunset. We were not there at sunrise. We arrived about 1:30 pm and there were about 70 or so of them in the field. They were pretty close to us so we were able to see their dance. It was pretty amazing. We were disappointed because they all flew away after about one hour. We stuck around because we heard about sunset. About 4;30 pm they started to arrive. It was amazing, unbelievable. They came flying from every direction. This lasted about one hour. It was absolutely amazing. You heard them talking so loud. We have only seen them before flying very high over our house and still heard them pretty loud. It was so cool to hear them from that close. I would estimate that there were about 6000 of them. It was one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen. Definitely worth going to see!!!! if you are a nature/bird lover you need to see this. Only disappointment was that we wish they were closer to us. I would have loved some close up pictures of the beautiful sandhill cranes. Still we can't wait to go back again to see these beautiful birds!!See more..
Fairfax State Recreation Area is one of 9 state recreation areas located on Monroe Lake (Bloomington, IN) and managed by Indiana State Parks. Fairfax features a large swimming beach (open seasonally), a hiking trail, 3 picnic shelters, 2 boat ramps, and plenty of opportunities for hunting and fishing. It's also home to the Fourwinds Resort and Marina, which is a privately owned and operated business that leases space at Fairfax SRA. Fourwinds has a hotel, 2 restaurants, marina, boat rental, swimming pool, private beach, and other activities/amenities for resort guests. The restaurants and boat rental are available to the general public. As they are a private business, reviews and comments specific to the Fourwinds Resort and Marina should be posted on their separate TripAdvisor page.See more..
Very nice park. I would suggest to anyone that likes a nice, clean and fun park to come camping or just to visit. All the facilities were all very clean and the staff was friendly and very knowledgeable of the park and the surrounding area. The hiking trails were nicely groomed and easily marked so you know exactly where you are going. The lake was so beautiful that my family and I rented a boat at the boathouse/campstore that's located in the park where they also had snacks and bait for sale. I will definitely be visiting Starve Hollow next time my family decides to go camping or just to enjoy the great outdoors.See more..
4.5Perrin Family Park(35 reviews) - peaceful Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Playgrounds
A beautiful calming environment, with ducks and deer to add some excitement. A stress releiver place for you and the kiddos can run and play, and a nice picnic area.See more..
4.5Lilly Nature Center(33 reviews) - Go to CeleryBog to relax Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
I enjoy going to Celery Bog to walk, bird watch and just relax. The trails are well maintained and have benches and boardwalk overrlooking th bog at various places on the trail. There are picnic tables and open areas for kids to play frisbee or other games. In the nature center you can sit inside and watch the birds at the feeder outside. There ar activities for preschool and young children.See more..
4.5Cowles Bog(33 reviews) - Surprisingly shady trail for a dune hike Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Based on the recommendation for a nice hike by the ranger at the National Park Visitor Center, I went on the Cowles Bog Trail. Being a weekday, I saw only a couple of cars at the parking lot near Dune Acres guardhouse. I took the east branch and hiked up to the beach. There were some bugs along the way, and a spray might have helped. The uphill sections to get over the dunes are very steep and the sand is deep, making for a study hike. But most of the trail surprisingly has shade, except at the beach. The steepest dune is at the beach. In total, it is a 4.7 mile round trip hike. Overall this was a challenging and enjoyable hike, and the views of Lake Michigan and the beach are a bonus. But, if the intention is just to experience a dune, this may not be the place.See more..
4.5Sodalis Nature Park(31 reviews) - Tranquil Spent 2-3 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
We enjoy coming to this small park. Can always take a hike, no matter how long or short you desire. Plenty of picnic areas. We try to come weekly, and is always clean. Recommend more for locals, as not much other than hiking/ fishing/ picnic.See more..
4.5Hayes Arboretum(30 reviews) - A beautiful, well maintained arboretum Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
We visited in April of 2017. It's relatively easy to find and there's many places to park. We had our Lab with us , too. The park provides a very relaxing and peaceful walk.See more..
5.0Stables At French Lick(28 reviews) - Amazing facility, fabulous staff Nature & Wildlife Areas
OMG everyone here is amazing!!! We have visited twice this year, the second for my daughter’s birthday and the staff was fabulous. They take great care of the animals and have always been first class when dealing with my daughters. For her birthday she wanted to do the longer trail ride and I don’t ride so I signed her and my 13yr old up for the trail ride. I felt very comfortable leaving a 12 & 13 yr old in the care of the staff at the stable and on the trail. Once they were done, the staff called for transportation and sent them back to the hotel. As a bonus to make her day extra special, they gave the two girls a tour of the stable, a candy bar, and had made a card for my daughter for her birthday. A+++See more..
4.5Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve(27 reviews) - A wonderful 700+ acre nature preserve Nature & Wildlife Areas • Aquariums
Eagle Marsh is a 716-acre wetland nature preserve located on the southwest border of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ten+ miles of trails allow hikers to access the preserve's varied habitats of shallow-water wetland, sedge meadow, prairie, mature forest and young trees. With adjacent Fox Island County Park and other privately owned natural land, Eagle Marsh creates almost two square miles of habitat for birds and other wildlife. More than 220 kinds of birds and numerous other wild creatures have been seen there, among them 28 bird and two amphibian species endangered or of special concern in Indiana. Bald eagles are often found at the preserve and have a nest just off the property.See more..
You can tell that all of the animals love the people who care for them. It is an amazing experience. We have been twice and plan to go back again. If we lived closer I would go once a week. And to all the haters, I'm sorry that your life is so miserable that you have to attack anyone that is happy.See more..
We visited in January and took a walk along the trail startling several deer. There is also a paved trail suitable for bikes. It was the off season so no one was around when we drove past the cabins that are available for rental in season. We'll need to return in warmer weather but what we saw looks great.See more..
5.0Red Wolf Sanctuary(24 reviews) - Best wildlife sanctuary Nature & Wildlife Areas
Awesome animal santcuary, open to public, free tours. They have White Red Wolves, Raptors, black bears, foxes, and coyotes. Licensed and safe.See more..
4.5Hayswood Nature Reserve(24 reviews) - Beautiful park with a nice paved walking path Nature & Wildlife Areas
The Hayswood Nature Preserve consists of 162.92 acres of which half is wooded and half is open for recreation facilities. Enjoy picnicking, trails, fishing, and more.See more..
We spent 3 days at the rented cabin Osprey, with a gorgeous lakeside view. The fishing was so-so, but we expected that being the time of year, and the sheer beauty and abounding nature made up for it. My main complaint is with the terrible state of their bathrooms and showers. The shower stalls were full of cigarette butts, and the water pressure and temperature was tepid at best. The bathrooms were dirty and frequently lacking in toilet paper, with the ever present cigarette butts found on the counters, floors, etc. It was bad enough that we decided to forgo showers, and I highly suggest bringing your own portable toilet, it was a lifesaver. Not sure how often the facilities are cleaned, but they should at least check them more than once a day. If you can dismiss the conditions, then I highly recommend staying at a lakeside campsite.See more..
Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife area is a reclaimed mining area that is used for fishing, hunting and boating. There are several ponds and several boat ramps. We love to go kayaking out here. Lots of birds to be seen!See more..
4.0Rum Village Park(20 reviews) - Walk on the trails Nature & Wildlife Areas
Trails are beautiful and marked well. I managed to get about 2.5 miles in. I will go back the next time I visit South Bend. See more..
4.5Historic Forks of the Wabash(17 reviews) - Interesting... Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Neat little museum showcasing local history of the 1840's that has some period piece buildings outside as well. Plenty to see inside and out, and very educational! Give yourself about 2 hours - One for the inside and one for the outside. Enjoy!See more..
4.0morse lake Indiana(16 reviews) - Great Boating Lake Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
We have lived on this lake for 33 years and each year it becomes more and more a great boating lake. See more..
5.0Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary(15 reviews) - Calling All Nature Nuts and Birders! Thursday: Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is owned and operated by the Indiana Audubon Society and is located south of Connersville, IN. Alice Green Gray gave the initial 264 acre property to the Indiana Audubon Society in 1943 as a living memorial to her daughter Mary. Today, over 700 acres of forest, wetland, and prairie exist for hiking. The preserve functions as a popular wedding destination.See more..
4.0Dougherty Orchards(14 reviews) - FAMILY FUN Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos • Farms Family owned and operated since 1883. We have a variety of apples, peaches, and other produce. The orchard also has a petting zoo, fresh cider, pick your own pumpkins/apples, and a variety of family friendly adventures. The Dougherty family is also happy to announce that we are beginning the development of a new grove of apple trees.See more..
8,933 acres of state owned wetland/marsh just south of Linton, Indiana. Bird watchers paradise.See more..
4.5DePauw Nature Park(11 reviews) - A well-maintained hiking site that's better than some state parks Thursday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Forests
Has become my go-to spot for hiking. With better than 10 miles of trails winding through woods, over hills and meadows, along a large creek, and even through a quarry (!), you can come up with an infinite variety of options. Lots of deer and vultures, as well as songbirds. Great indoor restrooms (and some porta-potties scattered here and there.) Part of DePauw and just west of their athletic facilities. Trails are well-maintained and patrolled.See more..
4.5Elkhart Environmental Center(9 reviews) - Nice Place to Visit Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
We were in Elkhart on our way to Milwaukee. Stopped here to see if there were any birds around. Lady at the center was very nice and helpful and told us of another place to visit. Had a nice walk, but did not see many birds.See more..
4.0Kankakee Sands(8 reviews) - Never take seriously reviews that use multiple exclamation points Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
This is a large preserve. You may not always see the buffalo, but be amazed by nature and this beautiful prairie. You can't just walk up and pet the buffalo, anyway. They are huge animals and pose a danger. Memo to dense city-dwellers: this isn't a petting zoo! Great place to stop and take in nature! Thankful for the return of the buffalo! Our American heritage! TR would be proud!See more..
Happy New Year. The Wife and I went up to Interlake Saturday Jan.1-22 to Renew Our yearly permit and We got to meet the New staff running the Park they were very friendly and Professional. We are looking forward to returning as much as possible this year, Thank You Dawgs On The OhioSee more..
Enjoyed driving and looking. Spent time with several Canadian Goose families. Ten or so adults and 30+ goslings. Saw several hiking trails and picnic areas. Boat ramp. Nice scenery.See more..
So beautiful and peaceful. I loved the experience and to relax. Walking around and looking for a place to rid the worries of the world.See more..
5.0Southeastway Park(4 reviews) - Spring days Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Hiking Trails We love to take walks and enjoy this very clean park. There are always a lot of children in the play areas but the parents are all down to earth and friendly. See more..
5.0Fall Creek Gorge(4 reviews) - Gorgeous Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Waterfalls
4.5Brum Woods(4 reviews) - Quiet walk through the woods Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Forests
What a gem! Just a few steps from the road and you feel you are in an ancient forest, the type that covered the area fewer than 200 years ago. Lightly traveled and songbirds everywhere. See more..
4.0Cope Environmental Center(4 reviews) - Beautiful environmental center Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens • Educational sites
This place is new (only a little over a year old). The area is beautiful and peaceful. The trails are nice (but could be marked better). The staff is very welcoming and helpful.See more..
This is a NIches Land Truss Woods. Part of the Classified Forest Program. A Nature Preserve that has some good views of Tippecanoe River and several ravines. The trail is about 1 1/2 miles, and the access trail is about a 1/4 of a mile, Total trail is almost 2 miles. The elevation is a little over 100 feet between high and low. This is a really nice short trail that will please most peopleSee more..
4.5Black Rock Nature Preserve(3 reviews) - Cool place by the Wabash near Otterbein Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Where I live in Indiana, there are very few lovely places to explore that look like Black Rock Nature Preserve. There is so much flat land around me that it is nice to see some height and views. This Nature Preserve is small enough and easy enough for most ages to roam. No guard rails by the rocks so watch the little ones but it's a nice place for a picnic with that special someone. There is also the bottoms at the base of black rock and if the stream is dry, you will be rewarded with many opportunities to find small flat rocks to skip on the Wabash. The name "Wabash" is an English spelling of the French name for the river, "Ouabache". French traders named the river after the Miami-Illinois word for the river, waapaahšiiki, meaning "it shines white", "pure white", or "water over white stones".The Miami name reflected the clarity of the river elsewhere but not here at Black Rock. See more..
My husband and I went here to walk the trail, which is just across the river bridge from downtown Terre Haute. It is a beautiful wetland area where you can see many birds, cranes and even bald eagles, who live near the river. It's great for West Terre Haute and is part of the parks system with connecting trails.See more..
