Turkey Run State Park Indiana

Turkey Run State Park in Indiana: Cool in more ways than one. In west-central Indiana, just 70 miles west of Indianapolis, Turkey Run State Park beckons, offering a dramatic environment ripe for adventure.  

Come explore Turkey Run State Park with Holly B in this article!

This amazing park allows you to marvel at geology while enjoying the adventures offered by its sandstone ravines, like hiking through water and along cliff edges on Trail 2 or traveling up and down ladders to access the cavernous environment below on Trail 3. Be prepared for a temperature drop and a heart race spike once you start trekking through the hollows. 

Each season provides its own charms at Turkey Run, from the colorful tree canopy shining above the cool, cavernous walls to the stunning ice formations created in the colder months. While I love Turkey Run 365 days a year, winter is my favorite time to explore the park. 

Visitors enter Turkey Run State Park by way of a suspension bridge over Sugar Creek, where cold temperatures cause an interesting build-up of ice. 

If you hike Turkey Run during the warmer months, chances are likely that you’ll get a little wet. During the winter, Yaktrax come in very handy!  

Water takes a frozen pause on its journey downward. On a sunny day, it’s a treat for the senses as you hear the music made from thawing drops. Turkey Run is a place where waterfalls stand frozen in time in the winter!

Take it slow going down the ladders—if for no other reason than to take in your surroundings! Ice formations create fantastical sculptures that send your imagination running wild. 

But don’t forget to pay attention to the details, too, like these patterns found underfoot in Turkey Run.

As former Indianapolis residents, our winter treks to Turkey Run are typically day trips, but the park offers an inn and campgrounds if you’d like to stay awhile longer! Nearby Shades State Park and the Pine Hills Nature Preserve are definitely worth a visit while you’re in the area, too. Stay tuned for a future blog about visiting Turkey Run and these nearby spots during the warmer months! 

Thanks for reading as always! Have you been to Turkey Run? Comment below about that or your favorite winter hiking experience!

Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Holly B