A 4.1-mile section of the Vandalia Trail runs from Amo to the Hendricks and Putnam county line. It offers a tangible starting point for a trip that sees nature as more than just a backdrop. Hendricks also has parks with varied landscapes: woods and prairie, glacial ravines, streams and ponds. Cultural programming and a family-run apple orchard add further highlights.

Trails and Landscapes

McCloud Nature Park spans 232 acres of woods, glacial ravines, prairie and a creek. More than seven miles of hiking trails complement this varied landscape. Those who enjoy exploring nature on foot will find an extensive trail network here. Visitors can fish in Big Walnut Creek in the park; Indiana’s license and fishing regulations apply.

W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park also combines nature and trails, but has its own features: it spans about 110 acres of woods, prairie, a seasonal stream and ponds. Its well-marked trails are about three miles long. Trail surfaces range from gravel and natural surfaces to concrete and asphalt. In terms of trail length, McCloud’s more than seven miles contrast with Gibbs’s approximately three miles; Gibbs’s varied surfaces provide an additional point of reference.

Echo Hollow Nature Park is a 210-acre nature preserve. Its name comes from an endangered bat species found there. Numerous walking and hiking trails give the area a clear focus on exploring on foot. The park also has a 5.5-acre pond with a floating fishing pier; availability may vary. While fishing in Big Walnut Creek is one of McCloud’s offerings, Echo Hollow’s pond and fishing pier are its main connection to the water.

Culture and Other Discoveries

At Hendricks Live!, the focus shifts from nature to culture. Its offerings include a state-of-the-art theater, an event space and a public gallery. Performances, events and exhibitions for all ages and interests take place year-round. If you want to plan around a specific date, check the current schedule. Visitors to Hendricks Live! can park at the Plainfield Downtown Parking Structure; check the parking rules before you arrive.

Another contrast comes down to form: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park includes a 0.686-mile paved oval. Here, the track’s shape and surface are the defining points of reference, very different from the trails through woods, prairie and ravines. Beasley’s Orchard adds an agricultural dimension. The orchard is family-run and operated as a farm; homemade apple cider is available seasonally, and availability may vary. This distinction is useful when planning: Hendricks Live! offers performances, events and exhibitions throughout the year, while apple cider is available seasonally.

Discover more destinations: Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Scott, Madison County, Delaware, Parke, Porter.

For the broader trip overview: Indiana.