Find the top rated birding trails in Bloomington, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_285443_st.jpg)
_191037_st.jpg){kind=spacer}
_198721_st.jpg)
_157954_st.jpg)
_50286_st.jpg)
First time on the trail. It was very nice and obviously kept up well. Lots of amenities as far as real bathrooms or even clean and initially some shelters and benches for taking a break. Lots of opportunities for eating if that's on the list.
The Monon Trail was the first rail to trail in this area that I was aware of. We've used it so many times since it's been built and are very thankful for it. It's not to say that it's been perfect. Few things are. It is easy to get to, and while it is crowded at times, it works as long as you're courteous and careful. There are times on the Marion County portion of it when the maintenance seems to slip. That's been that way over the last few years. Just as you are heading north out of Broad Ripple, there are several areas where the road has buckled and is unsafe. A couple of years ago, south of the fairgrounds, it was similar in that area. If you're not aware of these areas, it is easy to wreck, especially if you are going fast. Generally, the trail is very open the farther north of Carmel you go. If you need to get out for a short ride, a longer one, or to walk, it is good. We are blessed to have it.
We rode the trail four days this week The scenery is so pleasant….truly southern Indiana. Cows in pastures too If you start at the end (Hartsrait Rd and 46W), you can ride almost four miles without crossing a major intersection. We parked at the $$$ across from the trail head Highly recommend
We just rode the western part of the trail. Excellently maintained, great mile markers ever .2 miles. They have a new on line museum and artifacts of the old train line on the trail. Very cool. We plan to park near the trail next May and ride our bikes to the Indy 500. It passes 1/4 from the track. The B & O is an excellent ride! Joe Gutzwiller
Rode on a very hot muggy June morning, so as others have stated bring plenty of your own water. I did the whole trail, started at Williams Dam, felt the return trip back from Bedford was just slightly easier. Note that the trail goes under the 16th St., a major thoroughfare in Bedford, and that the many amenities visible on Google maps are not accessable from the trail. I would rate the scenery as just okay, not a destination trail but entirely worthwhile if in the area. And as always, many kudos to the local (I assume) volunteers for keeping up the trail. The end near Williams was a bit rough, possibly exacerbated by recent heavy rains, but the majority is very smooth.
Rode on a very hot muggy June morning, so as others have stated bring plenty of your own water. I did the whole trail, started at Williams Dam, felt the return trip back from Bedford was just slightly easier. Note that the trail goes under the 16th St., a major thoroughfare in Bedford, and that the many amenities visible on Google maps are not accessable from the trail. I would rate the scenery as just okay, not a destination trail but entirely worthwhile if in the area. And as always, many kudos to the local (I assume) volunteers for keeping up the trail. The end near Williams was a bit rough, possibly exacerbated by recent heavy rains, but the majority is very smooth.
Although relatively short (it's actually 2.6 miles, not 2.3) it traverses wooded areas, forest edge areas, dense brush areas, open meadows, and takes you directly under the Avon haunted bridge. You're never far from White Lick Creek, and most of the time it's right next to you, so there are some very good wildlife opportunities it presents.
I did a roundtrip walk of 5.2 miles and saw numerous Indigo buntings, multiple Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Towhees, Red-eyed Videos, an Eastern parula, red headed woodpeckers, yellowthroats, a Kentucky Warbler, and at least 10-12 others I don't typically see at my feeders.
Highly recommend this trail!
I recently moved from a rural area in Parke County to Terre Haute.. I had no idea that the Parks and Recreation dept of Terre Haute had so many well kept trails and areas. The Heritage Trail is a phenomenal trail to bike. Mostly shaded and surrounded by nature this is truly a gem!!! The ride is very pleasant and enjoyable. From Blakey trailhead to Jones trailhead it is entirely paved. Much wildlife to be observed. It is approximately 7 miles round trip with numerous places to stop, rest and sit on a bench. To me this is HEAVEN!!!
It was a pleasant ride but bring your bug spray. Lots of standing water. Very few people on the trail.
The paved trail has not been maintained and is frequently interrupted by bursting roots. Lots of homeless in the area and trash on the trail. There are much better ones in Indy…
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
_205780_st.jpg)
_173177_st.jpg)
