Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Indiana, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Fully agree with May and June 2025 Trailink Review postings. Highly recommended, but see warnings about surface below. Rode from Sam Ralston Rd. trailhead on North side of Lebanon to Colfax terminus and back (approx. 14.5 mi. one way) on warm sunny weekday. Approx. 2/3’s of trail is wide newer asphalt, very smooth, with the only surface issues tree debris and chipmunks. Route is well shaded, at least %50 at midday. Relatively few road crossings, maybe 10-12 max outside of the towns, and almost all are “soft”, gravel country roads with very little traffic. Only a dozen other users encountered.
There are no hills, one minor dip and rise, but perhaps a slight downhill grade generally from Lebanon to Colfax. I averaged 14 to 14.5 mph going out but on ln 12.5 to 13 coming back in little wind. The route is mostly arrow straight, with just a few shallow curves.
There are porta-potties at Thorton and Colfax, shaded picnic tables in both places, but no water fountains.
Trail through Thornton is not marked, but easy to follow; you jog ½ block south to a street heading into downtown, then at the main drag jog north ½ block to where trail resumes next to a white building which is the last on the west side of the street.
WARNINGS: surface coming out of Lebanon is terrible for 1st 200 yards, big potholes and expansion bumps, then 1 to 2” expansion bumps for the next 2 miles, every 100 to 200 feet, most of the worst are marked, including one the height of curb you probably have to stop for. Most of the bumps can be navigated around by weaving over to the lowest section, but you must keep constant watch on the surface. For approximately 1.5 miles around Thornton and for a short stretch between county roads 300 and 500 West the bumps resume, but less severe.
ALL THAT SAID, the unique attraction of this trail are the recently paved sections, where you get the glorious sensation of a gliding along alone through an empty green tunnel that extends literally for miles, as far as you can see, out ahead.
Indiana has done a beautiful job with this trail. Could use real restrooms on New Albany end but the port a pots were fairly clean.
Parking at Al Berryman Splash Pad with bathrooms! Major win! Nice trail with lots of parks and places to rest if you need it.
they've extended the trail north in winamac from 11th to 17th Street. adding a half mile to the trail.
Trail is closed at Rt. 30 heading North from Erie Lackwana trailhead.
Traveled from Pennsylvania to ride this trail since we found out about it on TrailLink. We stayed at a local hotel. Trail is paved the entire length from Goshen to Shipshewana. A local told me they just finished paving the last crushed stone section. Trail goes through a few small towns which offers services. We ate lunch in Middlebury. Shipshewana offers many great shops and restaurants. This is in an Amish community. Small hill at mile 2.5. Most of the scenery is flat and open through farms but there are a few wooded sections of the trail as well. Worth driving 5 hours to get to and making it a getaway. Trail was busy for a Saturday but not crowded. Friendly folks along the way. We were lucky to have such great weather too!
It would be helpful if these reviews included information about the reviewer. A 22 year old, semi-competitive bicyclist is going to barely notice hills that give me fits.
I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. And for what it's worth, I'm 50 years old; in decent shape for my age, but still not in my 20s! I use a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my arms. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. There is one hill on the Sunset Park end of this trail (coming up from the parking lot) that I could just BARELY do, but I made it work. If the trail was wet, I would have not had enough traction to get out of the parking lot.
The reviews that claim the hills on this trail are "minor" or "moderate" were obviously written by someone much younger than me who was pedaling with their legs, not arms. There are numerous other hills scattered throughout the trail that were quite a challenge for me, even using my handcycle's climbing gears. Please don't misunderstand - it was a great workout that I enjoyed immensely. I don't often get to shift down and use those low (2 to 4 mph) gears, and I learned a lot about climbing efficiently. Plus, of course, the downhill sides were a fun break. I'll likely come back again (I live about 30 minutes away). I just want to state all of this right up front for others who might be looking for something more flat.
Setting aside these handcycle considerations, Evansville has done a commendable job with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. Even on a wheelchair-width (about 30 inches wide) bike, there was plenty of room to pass and meet other trail users. There are several good places to park, with ample parking spaces. To me, this trail is the perfect blend of natural scenery along Pigeon Creek and the Ohio River and of city riding. It takes you through several of Evansville's excellent parks, right by the casino and where the LST-325 (a landing ship that was used in World War II and has been restored to working condition) is docked. There are historic markers all along the trail. Some other folks complained that it takes you right by a huge scrapyard. They've done a pretty good job blocking that off, but I personally think it's cool seeing a process of that magnitude in operation. Same thing with the waterworks discharge at the Sunset Park end - something neat that most people don't get to see every day. The trail goes through some neighborhoods. You can either ride hard or take your time to see the sights on this trail. I did a combination of both of those. The scenery and the history more than made up for the hills I had to climb.
I would suggest studying the trail map before you leave. The trail is one long continuous path, with the exception of a little half-mile side quest that takes you onto a really cool bridge along the Ohio River (don't miss that). Even so, there are a few places where you might wonder which of numerous options is the trail. Evansville could do a little work on the signage and make a big improvement. There is very little shade, so bring some sunscreen. Also, bring plenty of water/whatever else to drink. Unlike most other public trails I've used, I didn't see any drinking fountains on this one. That would be another great improvement. I'll definitely fill both of my water bottles next time, instead of just one like I did today.
I can't wait to come back to the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage with my wife and daughter on their bikes. It is an asset to the Evansville area. Come check it out. I hope to see you out there!
It has a nice round trip, with mostly smooth pavement except by Roseland park, so maybe skip that section.
It's an okay trail with a nice round trip, and some enjoyable sights.
Nice and open to nature with a brief urban stint with not too many road crossings.
I would recommend this trail to anyone looking.
It's mostly an urban trail, with not too much nature.
Geese were allover the place and so was their poop.
Good round trip though.
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