Play outdoors in East Central Indiana
Are you ready to get out and explore what East Central Indiana has to offer? You’ll find plenty of things to do outdoors – from nature preserves to bike trails to water perfect for boating and floating. You can be as active as you want here, and fun adventures are right around the corner.
Check out our interactive ECI map to see what’s happening in our region.
Trails in East Central Indiana
Sweetser Switch Trail
The Sweetser Switch Trail is a 4 mile paved rail-trail. The trail joins the 2-mile Converse Junction Trail in the west and a segment of the Cardinal Greenway in the east.
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Nickel Plate Trail
The Nickel Plate Trail is a paved .75 mile trail in Connersville. The trailhead is located at 32nd Street and Park Road.
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Whitewater Gorge Trail
Along this paved trail through the historic gorge area, hikers, cyclists and nature lovers will be able to explore the geological and historical significance of the Whitewater Gorge, as well as its natural rugged beauty. Fossils found along the trail are from animals that lived about 450 million years ago on the bottom of a warm shallow sea that covered this area.
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Westwood Park Trail
Westwood Park Trail is a 10-mile, single-track loop that circles the park property and offers a challenging track for hikers and riders.
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Wilbur Wright Trail
The Wilbur Wright Trail is a 3.1 mile trail located in Henry County. The trail is accessible north at the Wilbur Wright Fish and Wildlife Area (2239 N. State Road 103) and south at the Henry County YMCA (300 Wittenbraker Avenue).
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White River Greenway
The White River Greenway in Muncie is a paved surface over three miles in length. Its track along the White River offers many beautiful views, and patient trail-goers can find herons and other waterfowl along the way.
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Blackford County Greenway
The Blackford County Greenway is a 1.94 mile, 10 foot wide asphalt multi-use trail.
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Water Activities in East Central Indiana
White River
The White River flows through several counties in east central Indiana. Many recreational activities take place on the river such such as fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
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Marion Splash House
Attractions at the Marion Splash House include a lazy river, two racer slides, ‘big flush’ slide, large wave pool, and kiddie play area with a play pad topped with a large bucket water-drop. They also have concession stands and plenty of seating for guests including cabana rentals.
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Portland Water Park
The Portland Water Park features a lazy river, a dump bucket and two 20-foot slides.
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Prairie Creek Reservoir
Prairie Creek Reservoir is Muncie's largest park and recreational haven. Located just southeast of the Muncie City limits, Prairie Creek offers a wide range of activities and amenities from fishing, camping, boating, beach amenities, water sports, as well as hiking, biking dirt bike, ATV, multi-use, and horse trails.
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State Parks in East Central Indiana
Summit Lake State Park
An expansive view and good fishing beckon you to Summit Lake State Park, near New Castle. More than 2,680 acres, including a large lake, await your visit. Facilities include 120 electric campsites, three boat ramps, a beach bathhouse and two large open shelters that can be reserved for family picnics and other events.
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Nature Preserves in East Central Indiana
Hughes Nature Preserve
Nestled between the White River and the Cardinal Greenway, this 7 acre urban site is owned by the City of Muncie. Before the previous owners donated title to the site, a permanent Conservation Easement was donated to RLC to ensure that it would remain forever in its natural state. This eastern hardwood forest provides opportunities to view birds and access the White River.
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White River Woods
White River Woods is a 25 acre preserve in Selma. The area includes a mature forest and is open to the public for hiking. This is part of the larger 117 acre White River Woods property that preserves and protects important wildlife habitat along the White River corridor.
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Stout Memorial Woodland
The Stout Memorial Woodland is a 36 acre preserve in Middletown. This forest is one of the finest upland hardwood stands in East Central Indiana. The forest is home to numerous mature hardwood trees including tulip poplar, oak, walnut, maple, and beech trees.
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Steve Swoveland Nature Preserve
The Steve Swoveland Nature Preserve is a 46 acre site reforested wetland. Located within the city limits of Hagerstown, the disturbed area was saved from the bulldozer through the passionate efforts of nearby resident, Steve Swoveland. Thousands of trees have been planted in the river valley area to help it return to its natural state.
Mike Kiley Forest Preserve
Located in Albany, the Mike Kiley Forest Preserve is a 35 acres restored riparian forest. This preserve is an excellent spot to view birds, deer and other wildlife. The preserve is dedicated to Mike J. Kiley, who was not only a Marion judge and attorney, but also served on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Board for 27 years working for conservation in Indiana.
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McVey Memorial Forest
McVey Memorial Forest is a 249 acre forest located in Farmland. Edna McVey established this nature park in her will so that generations to come would enjoy it. The property’s trails traverse the hardwood forest over bridges and varied terrain.
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Fall Creek Woods
The 143 acres of Fall Creek Woods in Middletown features towering old trees, steep bluffs, and meandering creeks. Visitors can experience many stages of growth of an Indiana forest, from young trees to older relics, and the varied topography provides a more challenging hike than most of east central Indiana.
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Dutro-Ernst Woods
Dutro-Ernst Woods is a 33 acre urban nature preserve on the site of the former Ernst Nursery in Muncie. It is dedicated to Ruth Dutro, a local Biology teacher, who inspired countless students. The walking trail meanders through a prairie-in-restoration and early successional woodland.
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Blue River Bottoms Nature Preserve
Blue River Bottoms Nature Preserve, located in New Castle, has 19 acres of land to explore.
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Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary
The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is owned and operated by the Indiana Audubon Society and is located south of Connersville in Fayette County. Land donations from Alice Green Gray and Congressman Finley H. Gray in the 1940’s established the sanctuary and through subsequent gifts, the Sanctuary now occupies more than 700 acres.
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Red-tail Land Preserve
Red-tail Nature Preserve was the first land acquisition project for the RLC founders in 1999. Located in Muncie, this 105 acre site is located between Prairie Creek Park and the Cardinal Greenway, serving as a link to two significant wildlife habitat areas. A paved trail connects the prairie to the Cardinal Greenway and the Prairie Creek multi-use trails are across the street.
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Cope Environmental Center
The Cope Environmental Center promotes the sustainable use of the earth’s resources through education, demonstration, and research. Cope educates children in its 130 acre outdoor classroom through interactive, hands on sustainability and nature-based programming for schools and other groups; partners with businesses etc. to teach the principles of sustainability, and gives tours of its Sustainable Living Demonstration Home that is powered by solar power and geothermal.
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Hayes Arboretum
Hayes Arboretum is the educational project of S.W. Hayes Research Foundation, Inc. There are 466 acres located in Richmond, Indiana that Hayes Arboretum makes available to its members and visitors. There are unique plant, rock and fossil collections as well as miles of hiking, jogging and mountain bike trails.
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