When complete, the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail will cover 16 miles (with 1.5 miles on-road) between Goshen and Shipshewana. An additional 9 miles of trail will link Goshen with Elkhart via the
MapleHart Trail.
The Middlebury segment consists of one section that is nearly 7 miles long, between Wayne Street in Middlebury and CR 850 W. in Shipshewana. From here you can take CR 250 N. into Shipshewana. The trail has a 160-foot wooden trestle across the Little Elkhart River and also goes past Krider World's Fair Garden park. Another 1.2-mile segment runs between CR 35 and CR 37 south of Middlebury (completion in June 2012).
The railroad line between Goshen and Middlebury was a popular passenger route at the turn of the 20th century, and its numerous curves and turns led to its nickname after the rambling pumpkin vine. The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail links urban areas, small towns and agricultural communities throughout one of Indiana's largest Amish communities. Roughly 2 miles southwest of the southern terminus, you can pick up the
Pumpkinvine Nature Trail Goshen section.
Parking for the trail is available near the intersection of County Roads 37 and 22, south of US 20. Parking is also available at Krider Garden in Middlebury as well as at the Town Hall. There is limited parking at the intersection of the trail with County Road 43, about 0.75 mile north of County Road 16. In Shipshewana there are several parking lots. For more information see the
local map.
We moved away from the area 2 years ago before it was opened. We came back to try it out as we were so looking forward to it. There is still minor finishing but it is great. The area is a wonderful place to tour around on bike or car. Rual Amish farm ...
At the farm on the southwest corner of 1100 W and the Pumpkinvine, there are seven camels that are often out grazzing in the field. I'm told that the farmer is raising them for their milk. The parking lot at CR 43 east of Middlebury now has a gravel surface, ...
This section of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail opened in Sept. 2011. In Middlebury, you can park at the Town Hall just north of the Dairy Queen. Enter the trail from the DQ parking lost. Due to complications with crossing State Road 4, there is a 337 foot ...