We're not far away from peak fall colors here in Hendricks County, Indiana -- immediately west of Indianapolis -- 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 also pretty amazing a week before and a week after peak colors.
1. McCloud Nature Park
Located right outside North Salem -- home of my very favorite restaurant, Perillo's Pizzeria -- McCloud Nature Park has repeatedly been named one of the Top 10 spots in Indiana to view fall colors. The 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.
Leashed dogs are welcome, and if you need some help getting around, you can borrow a GRIT Freedom Chair at McCloud for free! A great time to visit McCloud Nature Park is on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Fall Colors Festival.
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, and leashed dogs are welcome.
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. Located in the heart of Avon, plenty of restaurants and other things to do are available nearby.
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.
After you've enjoyed fall foliage on horseback, Indy's Burger Joint -- which features handcrafted burgers, sandwiches and sides made with fresh ingredients -- is nearby and a delicious way to refuel your body for the rest of the day's adventures.
4. Echo Hollow Nature Park
Echo Hollow Nature Park in Plainfield is a leashed-dog-friendly, 310-acre property with more than five miles of trails of varying lengths, mostly surrounded by woods. It also boasts 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, have lunch under the big pavilion within the picnic area in the park or head up to The Shops at Perry Crossing for lots of shopping and dining options.
5. Arbuckle Acres Park
Arbuckle Acres Park in Brownsburg explodes with fall color every year and is definitely worth a visit. This 52-acre park that welcomes leashed dogs has 1.3 miles of trails that meander through the mature woods, enveloping its guests in autumn brilliance.
Very close to the park entrance is BRU Burger Bar Brownsburg -- an upscale eatery that specializes in burgers made from fresh ingredients daily and also boasts other food options including salads, shareables and other sandwiches including fish and chicken. They also have a bar and an outdoor patio on which you and yours can enjoy those beautiful fall days.
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:
- Blue Heron Park (Avon)
- Washington Township Park (Avon)
- W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park (Avon)
- B&O Trail (Brownsburg)
- Williams Park (Brownsburg)
- Ellis Park (Danville)
- Guilford Township Hummel Park (Plainfield)
- Vandalia Trail (Plainfield, Amo and Coatesville)
