Central Indiana is bursting with fall colors this time of year, which makes it a fabulous time to gather up the family and take a road trip to view the autumn foliage.
Hendricks County, Indiana, is nestled in the middle of some excellent spots for fall foliage within an hour's drive. Let's see what's out there!
I will use Danville, Indiana, as our starting point, since it's located in the geographic center of Hendricks County.
Stay in Hendricks County 
There's no place like home if you're from Hendricks County.
We have some great options right here in Hendricks County to view fall foliage, from McCloud Nature Park outside of North Salem to Burnett Woods and W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park in Avon to Sodalis Nature Park in Plainfield and more!
Learn all about the parks and gardens here in the county that sport colorful foliage in the autumn months by clicking here.
For a more detailed list of locations to see fall colors in Hendricks County, click here.
Eagle Creek Park 
How would you like to see the fall colors at eye level? You can do just that on the Go Ape zipline and high ropes course at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis! The treetop adventure will make this autumn one to remember!
With 3,900 acres of woods and 1,300 acres of reservoir, the scenic and recreational opportunities at Eagle Creek Park are substantial.
Have a picnic, bring Fido and Spot to the bark park, play some golf, have a picnic, hike the trails and so much more. Be sure to bring your camera, too!
To learn more about Eagle Creek Park, click here.
Distance from Danville: 21.3 miles.
Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area 
Outside of Rockville, Ind., to the west of Hendricks County, lies Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area and Cecil M. Hardin Lake.
Native forest and large rock outcrops line the upper part of Big Raccoon Creek. Cecil M. Harden Lake resulted from the damming of the creek for flood control. The lake also provides recreation, wildlife management and economic benefits. A variety of fish, flora and fauna can be viewed at the property.
Nearby Historic Mansfield Roller Mill is a preserved, working example of industrialization in Indiana at the turn of the 20th century. This 1880s flour mill uses machinery from that time to show visitors how flour and cornmeal were processed from wheat and corn. It is an almost complete and unchanged example of flour mills from this time period.
Visitors to this property can not only enjoy brilliant fall colors, but also hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, overnight camping and much more.
For more information, click here.
Distance from Danville: 29.9 miles
Morgan-Monroe State Forest 
Morgan-Monroe State Forest is one of my favorite places to visit for some peace and quiet and to reconnect with nature. As the name suggests, this forest is located on the Morgan-Monroe County Line, southeast of Hendricks County.
The property spans more than 24,000 acres and boasts three forest lakes, overnight camping, back-country hiking trails, picnicking, the Draper Cabin and the Cherry Lake Lodge. You can even pan for gold there!
For more information, click here.
Distance from Danville: 30.6 miles
Shades State Park 
Shades State Park, near Waveland, Ind., is a great place for hiking, picnicking, fishing, canoeing and overnight camping. Sandstone cliffs overlook Sugar Creek while the Pine Hills Nature Preserve provides unique topography and all sorts of treats for the eyes and camera lens, especially in the fall.
For more information about this state park located northwest of Hendricks County, click here.
Distance from Danville: 31.2 miles
McCormick's Creek State Park 
Spencer, Ind. -- southwest of Hendricks County -- is home to McCormick's Creek State Park, where there is a ton of stuff to explore. Indiana's very first state park offers waterfalls, canyons, a nature preserve, a stone arch bridge, a newly-renovated Nature Center, hiking trails, fishing, picnicking, overnight camping and more.
A special treat is an observation tower where you can see fall colors from above for miles.
For more information, click here.
Distance from Danville: 33.7 miles
Lieber State Recreation Area / Cataract Falls State Recreation Area 
Near Cloverdale, Ind., southwest of Hendricks County, Lieber State Recreation Area is a huge 8,075-acre property that includes a 1,400-acre Cagles Mill Lake. Hike the Covered Bridge Nature Trail, visit the Nature Center or do some fishing, boating, picnicking or overnight camping there.
Not far away from Lieber SRA lies the beautiful Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, where gorgeous photos of the fall colors are waiting to be taken.
For more information, click here.
Distance from Danville: 34.2 miles (Lieber SRA) and 38.4 miles (Cataract Falls SRA)
Turkey Run State Park 
To the northwest of Hendricks County, near Marshall, Ind., is Turkey Run State Park. Have a picnic at Turkey Run, hike some trails, visit the Colonel Richard Lieber Cabin, catch a fish or two in Sugar Creek and marvel at the unique geological formations throughout the park.
You'll definitely want to bring your camera with you because Turkey Run is one the best places in Indiana to see fall colors.
For more information, click here.
Distance from Danville: 36.9 miles
Covered Bridges in Parke County 
To the west of us, Parke County, Indiana, is home to 31 covered bridges. Gather up the family, jump in the car and take a tour of the county as you visit all 31 bridges in the middle of beautiful fall foliage!
There is also an annual Parke County Covered Bridge Festival that will interest shoppers and visitors who want to explore the fall colors in the area. For more information about the Covered Bridge Festival, click here.
To learn more, click here.
Distance from Danville: 38.3 miles.
Brown County State Park 
I'm cheating a little on this one because it's a little outside of the "one-hour away" criteria, but Brown County State Park is absolutely breathtaking in the fall.
Enjoy the Inn (with restaurant and aquatic center), cabins, camping, swimming pools, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and lots more outdoor fun.
To learn more, click here.
Distance from Danville: 51.5 miles.
