We're not far away from peak fall colors here in Hendricks County, Indiana, and since I work for Hendricks County Parks & Recreation, I have a pretty good idea of where to find the beautiful autumn foliage that makes the season so colorful.
Fall colors generally peak around here during the last few days of October and the first week or so in November, depending on a number of factors. The fall foliage is pretty amazing a week before and a week after peak colors.
1. McCloud Nature Park
Located right outside North Salem, McCloud Nature Park has been named one of the Top 10 spots in Indiana to view fall colors and was named by The Points Guy as one of the top 15 spots in the world to enjoy fall foliage without huge crowds.
McCloud Nature Park has more than seven miles of trails that wind through its 232 acres, much of which is wooded with multiple species of trees giving it that stunning, multi-colored display in peak season. Throw in the historic truss bridge, Big Walnut Creek, a wetland habitat observation deck and other features and programs, and you've got a prime fall viewing spot.
2. Burnett Woods Nature Preserve
Burnett Woods Nature Preserve in Avon -- one of Hendricks County's hidden treasures -- is an 80-acre preserve full of oak, hickory, maple, black walnut and tulip poplar trees that explode with color in the autumn. It boasts two trails that loop through the park.
The blue trail is a half-mile long, which is great for the really young ones or the old ones like me. The red trail is 1.2 miles long and a little more challenging, and the way the two trails are set up, you can easily walk the red and blue trails for a nice 1.7-mile hike under a canopy of brilliant autumn leaves.
3. Natural Valley Ranch
For something a little different, why not take a horseback ride through some scenic fall colors?
Natural Valley Ranch, which is tucked along White Lick Creek in Brownsburg, encompasses 78 acres of mostly wooded trails and a small petting zoo. You can also hike and fish there or book an overnight stay at The Cottage or The Cabin.
4. Echo Hollow Nature Park
Echo Hollow Nature Park -- formerly Sodalis Nature Park -- in Plainfield is a 310-acre property with more than five miles of trails of varying lengths, mostly surrounded by woods.
It also has a 5.5-acre pond, so the fall colors are doubled as the trees reflect off the water. You can do some catch-and-release fishing from the ADA-accessible pier there, or have lunch under the big pavilion within the picnic area in the park.
5. Vandalia Trail
Two sections of the Vandalia Trail run through Hendricks County. The paved Vandalia Rail Trail section within the town limits of Plainfield is part of the impressive 20-mile-long trail system throughout town that is very popular with bicyclists, joggers, and walkers.
My favorite section of the Vandalia Trail is the 4.1-mile-long paved leg from Amo through Coatesville to the Hendricks-Putnam County Line. There are trailheads in Amo and Coatesville with modern restrooms at each location that are open until November, plus there are bicycle repair stations at each trailhead.
More Options
Those are my five favorite spots in Hendricks County to see fall color, but that certainly isn't the entire list.
Here are several more suggestions:
- Avon Town Hall Park (Avon)
- Washington Township Park (Avon)
- W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park (Avon)
- Arbuckle Acres Park (Brownsburg)
- B&O Trail (Brownsburg)
- Williams Park (Brownsburg)
- Ellis Park (Danville)
- Hummel Park (Plainfield)
