Dogs love to hit the trail, and these pooch-friendly options in the Indianapolis area are great places to start. Just ask Tiki.

Tiki says, “Let’s take a hike!” Thankfully, there are plenty of awesome trails around the Indianapolis area to keep Tiki and all his friends happy. Exploring the outdoors and getting some exercise are great ways for dogs to have fun and satisfy their curious nature (and they’re fun for humans too). Check out these dog-friendly trails just waiting to be discovered.

The Big-4 Rail Trail – Zionsville

This paved pathway is nearly 3.75 miles, and was formerly known as the Zionsville Rail Trail. It forms the main spine of Zionsville’s over 20-mile long trail system, and links numerous communities, either directly or indirectly.

Central Canal Towpath – Broad Ripple

The Central Canal Towpath is 5.23 miles of crushed limestone chips, and stretches from Broad Ripple Village southwest to 30th St. at White River. Major access is at Broad Ripple Ave and Westfield Blvd, or 30th St. at Riverside Regional Park.

Cheeney Creek – Fishers

With both natural and soft-surface trails, this is a small patch of nature in the middle of Fishers that offers hiking, bird-watching and a grassland corridor. Fishing is also an option, as the 3-acre pond is home for largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.

Eagle Creek Park – Indianapolis

With trails ranging from 1.25 – 6.75 miles, there are plenty of options at Eagle Creek Park for humans and dogs alike. It consists of a whopping 3,900 acres of woods, meadows and ponds, plus 1,300 acres of reservoir.

Fort Harrison State Park – Indianapolis

This unique destination is located on the north-east side of Indianapolis, and blends the landscape with history. The 1,700-acre park features walking and jogging trails, picnic sites, fishing access to Fall Creek, and two national historic districts. The former Citizen’s Military Training Camp is preserved around the park office in what was once known as Camp Glenn.

Holliday Park – Indianapolis

One of Indianapolis’ oldest parks, Holliday Park is located just six miles north of downtown and encompasses 94-acres of beautiful green space.  Visitors can explore the nature center, play on one of the city’s best, hard-to-leave playgrounds, hike more than 3.5 miles of picturesque trails, or take a stroll around the one-of-a-kind Holliday Park Ruins.

Hummel Park – Plainfield

Hummel Park is located just minutes west of the Indianapolis International Airport in Plainfield, near the I-70 and State Road 267 Interchange. Because of its central location and the many amenities within its 205 acres, it makes for a great gathering place for families and furry friends.

Monon Trail – Indianapolis, Carmel, Westfield

The popular Monon Rail Trail is 18.1 miles of nature and communities, and is bustling with fellow outdoor lovers. With plenty of major access points, you’ll see dogs and humans walking, jogging, and stopping to enjoy panoramic views and plenty of restaurants and other shops throughout. With an asphalt surface, your pooch will meet lots of other pals along the way.

Tracy Trail – Greenwood

Tracy Trail is just one of the City of Greenwood trails system – a network of multi-use trails and walkways in a pedestrian-friendly environment. Additional trails and connectivity are being added regularly, expanding opportunities for humans and pets to be active. Additional trails include Play Pocket Trail, Grassy Creek Trail, Freedom Park Trail and the Polk Hill/Art Trail.

Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park – Indianapolis

This park is located on 100 acres adjacent to the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s main campus. The grounds include woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and a 35-acre lake. The Park is one of the largest museum art parks in the country, and one of only a few to feature ongoing commissions of temporary, site-responsive artworks.

White River Greenway – Noblesville

This trail connects three different parks with Noblesville’s historic downtown square. Forest Park, Morse Park, and Beach and Potter’s Bridge Park make up the network, and the well-marked and paved trails also lead you to shops, restaurants and other area attractions.

What Trails Do You Love?

We know that there are so many wonderful trails out there that are dog-friendly and great places to visit. Do you have a favorite outdoor trail that is especially awesome for dogs? We’d love to know about them. Please leave any suggestions below.