The best places to see fall foliage in Indiana include Brown County’s hilltop overlooks, Turkey Run’s wooded ravines and Parke County’s covered bridge routes. Some call for hiking boots. Others work well as a scenic drive with a few stops, or from the window of one of our fall train rides in Indiana. These six destinations in central and southern Indiana give Indianapolis families several ways to see the fall colors, with trails, viewpoints and planning details to help choose a trip.
Make a day of it or plan a weekend road trip, then find more ways to enjoy the fall season close to home.
Related Article: Fall Fun Bucket List Ideas in Indianapolis
When is the best time to see fall foliage in Indiana?
October is the main month to plan an Indiana fall foliage trip. Color generally develops earlier in northern Indiana and later farther south. The Farmers’ Almanac peak-color calendar lists broad windows of Oct. 5–21 for northern Indiana and Oct. 12–28 for southern Indiana. Treat those as general planning estimates, not a forecast for a particular park or weekend.
Weather affects both timing and color. Before committing to a long drive, check recent photos and updates from the park you plan to visit. For Brown County, the Brown County Leaf Cam lets you see how the trees look before leaving home.
1. Clifty Falls State Park
Location: Madison, Indiana
Go for: Fall color around a wooded canyon and waterfall overlooks.
Clifty Falls combines autumn leaves with limestone cliffs, deep ravines and views into Clifty Canyon. Start at the accessible Clifty Falls overlook, reached by a portion of Trail 7. Families looking for a short walk can also try the paved StoryWalk near Clifty Shelter. The full Trail 7 is moderately rugged, so the easy approach to the overlook does not describe the entire hike.
Keep expectations realistic for the waterfalls: Flow depends on recent weather, and the falls are generally strongest in winter and spring. The wooded canyon is reason enough for an autumn visit. Pair the park with time in Madison, Indiana, along the Ohio River.
2. Turkey Run State Park
Location: Marshall, Indiana
Go for: Sandstone ravines, Sugar Creek scenery and fall hiking.
Turkey Run is a good choice for families who want the hike to be part of the outing. Its sandstone ravines and mature woods give the park a different feel from an open hilltop overlook, with fall color along the trails and Sugar Creek.
Choose the route before promising the kids a quick walk. Trail 3 is a 1.7-mile, very rugged route with ladders. DNR recommends alternate trails for hikers with small children. For a shorter option, Trail 11 is an easy half-mile hike above Turkey Run Hollow to the Lieber Memorial and Log Church. For outings closer to home, see our guide to hiking with kids in Indianapolis.
Before visiting: Check the park’s official alerts for access and trail conditions. DNR currently lists Trail 7 as closed and road detours near the park.
Related Article: 6 Best Indiana State Parks to Visit With Kids
3. Spring Mill State Park
Location: Mitchell, Indiana
Go for: A lake loop, wooded trails and a historic village.
Spring Mill gives families a few things to do between looking at leaves. Trail 5 makes a one-mile loop around Spring Mill Lake and is rated moderate. The restored Pioneer Village has 20 historic buildings, while the Grissom Memorial tells the story of astronaut and Mitchell native Virgil “Gus” Grissom.
The village’s published daily season runs through the last full weekend in October. Check the park’s attraction schedules when planning a late-fall visit. Twin Caves boat tours end at Labor Day, so they are not part of an October foliage outing.
4. Brown County State Park
Location: Nashville, Indiana
Go for: Panoramic hilltop views and scenic fall drives.
Brown County State Park is a strong starting point for families planning their first Indiana leaf-peeping trip. Indiana’s largest state park covers nearly 16,000 acres, with close to 20 miles of tree-lined roads. That makes it possible to see plenty of fall color without committing everyone to a long hike.
Stop at Hesitation Point for a view across the wooded hills. For a short walk, the Friends Trail is paved, flat and has benches and a vista. Families ready for more can try the 1.5-mile Ogle Lake Trail, a moderate, hilly route along the water.
Round out the trip with lunch or shopping in Nashville. Our guide to things to do at Brown County State Park has more ideas. If your schedule allows, consider a weekday visit to avoid the busiest fall crowds.
5. Parke County
Location: West-central Indiana, around Rockville and nearby communities
Go for: Covered bridges and a fall drive with stops along the way.
Parke County’s 31 covered bridges give a foliage drive some built-in destinations. Pick a few bridges to visit, leave time to stop and take photos, and make the route as short or long as your family wants. Bridgeton pairs its covered bridge with the historic Bridgeton Mill, making it one place to build a stop around.
The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival runs Oct. 9–18, bringing food, crafts and activities to communities throughout the county. Choose those dates if the festival is part of the appeal. For a trip focused on bridges and leaves, consider visiting outside the festival dates.
6. Hoosier National Forest: Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower
Location: Charles C. Deam Wilderness, southeast of Bloomington
Go for: A view above the treetops, with a substantial stair climb.
The Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower puts the fall canopy below you. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939, the steel tower stands 110 feet tall and has 133 steps. The Forest Service describes views across the surrounding forest and toward Lake Monroe.
This stop makes more sense for families comfortable with heights and a strenuous climb. Use the handrails, take your time and skip the tower during storms or high winds. Wet steps can be slippery.
Getting there: A section of Tower Ridge Road is closed. The Forest Service directs visitors to use Hunter Creek Road to reach Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower. Check the official road-access notice before setting out.
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