A 20-mile paved loop around the Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area makes a distinctive mark on Newton County. Add prairie trails, wildlife watching, agricultural experiences, and stories dating back to the early 20th century. A trip offers a varied choice of discoveries.

Trails and Water at Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area

Five marked trails explore the area. They include loops around J.C. Murphey Lake and trails through the restoration of an oak savanna. Visitors looking to experience different landscapes on a hike will find two clearly defined settings here: the lakeshore and the savanna. The 20-mile paved loop also runs around the area.

Fishing is available on 1,000 acres at J.C. Murphey Lake and several ponds. Kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are permitted on the lake. For an overnight visit, there are 25 basic campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. The area’s shooting range includes facilities for pistols, rifles, shotguns, and archery. The offerings range from hiking and water activities to other designated recreational options.

Prairie, Birdlife, and Bison at Kankakee Sands

At Kankakee Sands, Efroymson Prairie covers 8,400 acres of prairie and wetlands. This landscape is home to more than 240 bird species, including the grasshopper sparrow, northern harrier, and American bittern. The trails also offer different experiences: the Grace Teninga Discovery Trail is a two-mile loop through the prairie; the 1.6-mile Conrad Station Savanna Trail loops through an oak savanna. Their lengths and landscapes make for a concrete comparison, while offering distinct natural settings.

A herd of 100 bison currently grazes on 1,100 acres of prairie. At the Bison Viewing Area, short walking paths lead to a viewing point on a sand dune; interpretive signs add context to the visit. Visitors who want to see the animals and their habitat together can experience both here: the herd in the prairie and a designated viewpoint with information.

Experience Agriculture at Fair Oaks Farms

At Fair Oaks Farms, agriculture itself is the focus of a visit. The Dairy Adventure Building houses a 15,000-square-foot interactive museum about dairy farming. Another option is the Dairy Tour: the bus tour lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes and visits an active dairy farm. Duration and itinerary may change; check the details before your visit.

At the Birthing Barn, visitors can watch live calf births every day. For young children, the Calf Pen has themed slides and padded cow figures to play with. Mooville adds a train ride, a climbing wall made of milk cans, a giant jumping pillow, pedal tractors, and a playground. These areas offer different experiences, from observing farm activities to play options for younger guests.

The Pig Adventure also combines different experiences, including a ropes course and the chance to see newborn piglets up close. The Pig Adventure Farm Tour takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus to a modern pig farm in the region; the tour visits areas with views of the pig barns. Access and animal-viewing conditions may change, so check before your visit. At the Pollinator’s Garden, guided tours let visitors watch bees pollinate different plants. Tours may be scheduled or seasonal, so check availability in advance. The seasonal Orchard Field Trips include a guided walk through the orchard.

Hazelden and Other Traces of History

Hazelden, George Ade’s historic home in Brook, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ade had his estate built in 1904. His literary and Broadway success brought nationally known figures to Hazelden and made the estate a cultural center for the region. On September 23, 1908, Republican presidential candidate William Taft stopped there during his campaign tour; several thousand people attended the rally. These milestones show how the estate’s history connects with the region’s political and cultural history.

Other historical markers highlight distinct subjects: in Kentland, a marker covers Warren T. McCray’s breeding of Hereford cattle at Orchard Lake Stock Farm in Newton County. In Morocco, a marker commemorates Baseball Hall of Famer Sam Rice, who was born nearby. Together with Hazelden, these places span agriculture, sports, and politics.

Discover more destinations: Kentland, Lawrence, Cass County, Howard County, Washington County, Tipton County, Harrison County, Wells County.

For the broader travel overview: Indiana.