Find the top rated birding trails in Crawfordsville, 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.
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Pros:
This trail is well-tended and clean with even pavement over most of it. There is a small portion where the trail crosses E County Rd 300 N that is gravel, but it is otherwise very clean. The trail is shielded from traffic by trees on both sides. The sides only open up a few times along its length. The trail is relatively flat and wide making it an easy path to walk and bike. This path is very quiet.
Cons:
The trail is only 6 miles which is short if you want to run a long distance. The entrance to the trail at Raceway Rd is difficult to get to as there are no sidewalks leading to it, and it ends very close to a road that has no shoulder. I usually have to access the trail by parking in a local business and walking across grass to get to it. Another con is that, while the trail is well-groomed and trees are plenty, there are very few turns or hills that provide interest to the trail.
All-in-all, it's a fantastic,quiet path to run, walk, or bike, although it could use a little more interesting scenery and the east entrance is difficult to access.
Without a doubt, this trail is the location of some of the most scenic vantages of the Indianapolis skyline. From the Zoo at Washington to the bridge at 10 St is the most well kept portion of the trail. South of the Zoo at Washington, things can get sketchy real quick due to the White River basin and some blind turns causing hazard. Northbound @ 10th, you either hang a left over the bridge and loop back South (nice loop) or, you head right on the sidewalk in front of Eskinazi. This portion is unmarked and not intuitive, because the trail actually picks up again North of 10th on a suspension bridge just before the light at St Margaret’s drive. Go left (west) at the end of the bridge, (the right leg ends quickly at Indiana) and there is.a paved trail that continues north. Once you hit 16th, this path is adequately titled t”the nutcracker because it is very uneven all the way to where it connects to the towpath @
I have been going to Garfield park for years with my kids cuz there are always others for them to play with here. This is the Southern end of the Pleasant run trail. It is a little older and not what it once was but still a nice urban nature park atmosphere most days with a view of the downtown skyline. Now, once you leave the park going north, the “trail” is not only covered in piles of dirt, debris, and broken glass, but there is NO lighting for early morning or evening exercise which really contributes to the very sketchy and unsafe feeling of this decayed area by the creek. My recommendation, leave the (UN)Pleasant run trail off your list of places to see in Indy.
It now ends in Sheridan Indiana about 10 miles north of Westfield. All paved. Great scenery. Trail head in Sheridan is across from the American Legion.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is another fine trail and is well thought out and executed. It certainly is an important piece of infrastructure for the city. The trail is clearly identifiable with tinted concrete pavers, providing easy identification for users. It connects Indianapolis residents to cultural, social, artistic, and recreational venues and provides an alternative transportation network for the city. I definitely would like to come back to town and explore more of these amenities. The roughly square Cultural Trail connects to the Monon, the Pleasant Run, and the White River Wapahani Trails. There is an additional spur that leads to the Indianapolis Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL Indianpolis Colts. This is the start of quite a regional trail network. One that I'm sure that will be expanded in the future.
I can't say enough about this trail. My opinion is that this is what most urban rail trails aspire to be. We started in Westfield and rode south toward Indy. On this day we rode down to 49th Street to the Upland Broad Ripple Tasting Room and back. There were a number of things that impressed me about this trail. It crossed a combination of urban and suburban landscapes with just enough surrounding trees and greenery to make one feel that you were riding in a more rural setting. Lots of care has been taken with this trail as there are many quite a few bathrooms and water stations along the trail. Beautiful bridges and underpasses have been created at almost all intersections with a major thoroughfare which maintains the flow of your ride. The route is well signed, though some of map signs are starting to show their age. There are plenty of people biking and walking along the route, though on this Friday morning the trail did not feel crowded. It is also obvious that this trail is an economic engine for the communities along the trail as there were many restaurants, galleries, breweries, and shops. There is great community pride in this trail as evidenced by an abundance of local art works that can be seen and enjoyed along the trail.
Our scout troop completed a 20 miler (Thorntown to lebanon and back). It was a great time! Trail is in decent shape and has a lot better upkeep closer to Lebanon. With a little love and attention it will be a great trail! We can't wait someday to see this connected to Lafayette (Prophetstown trails) and scout to Whitestown/Indianapolis! Our Local Troop will be conducting several more hikes and try Bicycling MB on the trail. I see many opportunities for Eagle projects along the trail.
it was our first Trail and it spear heads into 2 other trails. very nice area and paved
There is no where to park at the trail head. Really? What a waste
Easy, flat grade trail. Narrow so passing can be made difficult at times. Enjoyable scenery along the canal with turn offs to explore the Newfields campus and Butler University. Utility construction has the southern portion of the trail closed after I-65. Construction is expected completed Spring 2019
As of writing this the north, east, and south sides of the loop are complete. There is new asphalt linking Pearl St and 136 on the east side. I skated a complete loop by going up 3rd St from the SW trailhead, turning right onto Union St, and turning left onto 5th St to get back to the park. The roads are pretty rough for skating unless you have big wheels.
The trail itself is pretty nice. The asphalt section is very nice and smooth, but the majority of the trail is a little rough with lots of raised cracks in the pavement that aren't marked. If you take the loop clockwise you get to enjoy a long downhill on the southern part of the loop though, which is fun.
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