When the winter months seem to drag on with the unfavorable weather, sometimes the best remedy is to get outside. Luckily, Lafayette has some great hiking spots to take advantage of on those sparse sunny, winter days! Whether you take a mental health walk alone or have the whole family join, getting outside can provide many benefits for your overall health. Below, I have listed some great hiking trails local to Lafayette that everyone in the family will enjoy!
Jerry E. Clegg Botanical Garden
At a length of 1.1 miles, this botanical garden offers forest and native plantings based alongside a beautiful creek view. You can hike the trail in one go-around or stop and smell the flowers along the way. This trail is labeled as moderate difficulty and is lightly trafficked. The best part is you can even bring your pup along with you and the family! Find out more information about this trail on their website.
Munger Park
Circling around a beautiful pond lies a one-mile-long paved hiking path. Here, you can stop and fish in the pond, play on the playground with your kids, and experience open greenspace and wildflower areas. This 32-acre park is perfect for the entire family to spend some time together outside with endless possibilities of fun! For the location and park map check out their website.
Armstrong Park
Offering not only one but two trails, Armstrong Park is the perfect location for family fun! Both trails are easily doable, as Armstrong Trail is 0.67 miles long and Linear Parks Trail is 0.49 miles. Not only is hiking available, but there are also basketball courts, youth baseball fields, and more! This is a great location to get your steps in on the trails while also having plenty of fun activities for the kids! Check out their website for more information.
Celery Bog Nature Center
If you are looking for a place to discover wildlife and nature, look no further! While walking along the 4-mile path located on the marsh, you’ll experience the unique wetland habitat. Not only is this center great for enjoying the great outdoors but can also be educational for the whole family. With nearly 120 different species of birds located within Celery Bog, you and your family will certainly learn something new while hiking alongside this trail! Watch videos on all the wildlife located on their website and learn more about this location.
Happy Hollow Park
Located close to Purdue University, you will find 81 acres of family fun! With one mile of paved hiking trails and one mile of footpaths, the entire family can hike together in this incredible park. Happy Hollow also offers two playgrounds, an open turf area, and picnic shelters. After your hike, sit down for a family picnic and let the kids run off to the playground and turf! Happy Hollow also allows your furry friends to join in on the fun, so bring the whole squad when you visit! Their website offers more information and details on everything that is offered for your next family hiking trip.
Nature Hike at the Haan Museum
Located near downtown Lafayette, the Nature Trail at the Haan Museum is a beautiful path all year long. Beginning at the edge of the woods, the trail winds down to the bottom of the property at Valley Street and eventually makes its way back to the start. This mile-long trail has been known to be a little bit difficult, so be prepared to come across rocks, inclines, and narrow paths! If you are looking to feel completely immersed in the wilderness, this trail is perfect for you and your family. Learn more about the Haan Museum and its outside activities here.
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