13 Best Indianapolis Parks & Nature Spots

Beth Wood:  Beckenholdt Park in Greenfield includes a 1.5 acre pond, fishing pier, .95 loop trail through a native grass prairie setting, wetlands, observation deck, 2 acre dog park, walking paths, interpretive signs, a picnic shelter, and much more to keep your family entertained while enjoying the outdoors.

Beth Wood:  Flat Fork Creek Park in Fishers includes five miles of trails winding around ponds, three tree houses connected by a paved trail system, a sledding hill, stocked fishing pond and a 2 mile mountain bike trail. The mountain bike trails include single track and a progressive trail with a variety of ramps and technical features. Fun for the whole family!

Erin P.:  The park includes nature trails, wetlands and prairies, so have your little nature enthusiasts bring along their binoculars for wildlife spotting!

Dawn Denning:  This is a family favorite for us! Located next to a renovated house from 1826 and surrounded by beautiful landscape, these nature trails truly come to life. Take a walk on the large circular paved path that leads to the nature trails and then stroll along the White River and through the woods. It is a beautiful place to be year round!

Dawn Denning:  A favorite backdrop for photographers provides a beautiful place to hike with your family. Follow the paved walkways to the dirt paths that will lead to bodies of water for fishing throughout the park. Tons of nature brush keep the areas shaded in the hottest summers and the wind from blowing on the coldest winter days. Our family loves to walk and explore throughout the park!

Beth Wood:  Our family loves hiking and creek stomping at Cool Creek Park in the Carmel/Westfield area! Your entire family are sure to enjoy this beautiful 90-acre park year round. The park includes 4 miles of wooded trails, perfect for hiking, jogging and bird watching. You can also check out the playground, softball diamonds, soccer fields, or basketball court. Enjoy nature trails, wetlands, prairies and benches along the trails, installed by Eagle Scouts. You can also pack a picnic and enjoy a family lunch or snack while on your adventure. The Nature Center and restrooms are open daily for use.

Jaclyn Keifer:  MacGregor Park in Westfield was our go-to park in 2020. The library does a StoryWalk in the meadow and the trails are perfect for all ages - even those in a stroller. There is a ton of wildlife here and a creek for stomping as well.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  This public garden is located just south of Carmel City Hall and inspired by Carmel’s Sister City, Kawachinagano, Osaka, Japan. It features a koi pond, sculptures, garden path, flower gardens and plenty of benches and picnic tables to stop and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Dawn Denning:  My kids love this park and it has one of the best playgrounds in Indianapolis! The playground is huge and includes a playground for the big kids and a smaller one aimed for the 3 & under crowd. There are wooded trails that lead to the White River & around the park. Near the entrance, the Ruins relocated from New York City has a water table, fountain & benches to relax. The Nature Center offers hands on kids activities.

Beth Wood:  Holcomb Gardens is located on the Butler University campus and covers twenty acres of lawn that overlooks a small lake. The gardens are accessible by a pedestrian bridge and feature waterfalls, a garden house, gazebo, poets' corner, a 500-foot long grass mall, and a fountain adorned with a statue of Persephone. Hundreds of seasonal flowers including Tulips, Daffodils, Lilacs and Daylilies bloom in the gardens and thousands of trees, shrubs and other native Central Indiana flora can be seen on the grounds as well.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  One of the largest museum art parks in the country, this 100-acre park is free to explore and features woodlands, wetlands, a lake, bird feeding and viewing stations, wild grass labyrinth and a sculpture garden.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  This modern public park features a Children's Garden, which includes village stores, echo walls, peek-a-boo hills, a sun dial and Tiki huts. The park periodically offers tours of the Coxhall Mansion, concerts at the Coxhall Gardens Centerpiece, as well as other programs and events.

Jaclyn Keifer:  West park in Carmel Indiana rests on 120 acres and the play space is newer. In the front of the park is a pond with a boardwalk. There are multiple trails one of which zigzags up the hill which is perfect for bikes and is paved for strollers. There is a ton of open space for frisbees and the trails also lead to a wooded/marsh space that my kids love throughout the year. All of the trails are stroller friendly.