Boots and mittens ready for fun? Then this is the list for you. Indiana’s outdoor play land is just as beautiful in the winter as the other three seasons, and you don’t want to miss the scenery by staying indoors. We’ve divided our list of winter outdoor activities into five categories so you can find your favorite or try something completely new: ice skating; skiing, snowboarding and tubing; sledding; hiking and horseback riding; and snowmobiling. You’ll need to wait for snow for some of the sledding hills, but many of the locations provide snow and ice for your winter fun.
Ice Skating
Central Park Plaza Ice Rink – Ice skating in the heart of downtown Valparaiso.
Riverside Skating Center – Located in West Lafayette, it’s lighted for evening skating, too.
Lawrenceburg’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink – The pavilion at Todd Creech Park provides a roof overhead and a fire pit.
Photo by @alyssaworsham on Instagram
Howard Park Ice Trail and Pond, South Bend - Howard Park’s 16,000 square foot ice trail and pond is a premier winter destination for the South Bend region. The ice trail features rolling hills and soft curves that provide skaters with a diverse terrain when making their way around the loop. The ice pond is attached to the ice trail but provides a more traditional skating experience with an isolated skating area that can be used for learning to skate or skating activities like broomball.
Skate the Plaza at Deep River Water Park – Water fun in the summer turns to a big skating rink for the winter.
NIBCO Water & Ice Park – A beautiful rink with the Elkhart River as a backdrop.
Skiing, Snowboarding & Tubing
Paoli Peaks – Usually opens the first of December, depending on when it’s cold enough to make the first snow.
Perfect North Slopes - A 100-acre snow playground with hills for all levels of ability.
Cross Country Skiing at Indiana Dunes National Park – The 6.4-mile Glenwood Dunes Trail takes you through gently rolling wooded dunes.
Sledding & Tubing
Toboggan Run at Pokagon State Park - Zoom down the Midwest’s only refrigerated toboggan run. Set to open for the season on November 27.
Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis – Featuring one of Indianapolis’ largest sledding hills.
Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton – Sledding down Devil’s Slide gives you a great view of Lake Michigan.
Arctic Blast Tubing Park at Paoli Peaks, Paoli - Paoli Peaks' tubing facility is separate from the Ski and Board lodge, equipped with it's own parking lot, ticket sales, and day lodge. Inside the lodge you will find bathrooms, lockers, concession stand, and seating.
Tubing at Perfect North Slopes, Lawrenceburg - Come enjoy one of the largest tubing areas in the country, right in the Tri-State! Perfect North has offered tubing for 16 years, and it is a "perfect" family activity. Experience the thrill of sliding down a snowy 1200' long run and then effortlessly riding one of two Magic Carpet conveyor lifts back to the top...no hiking uphill here!
Tubing at Koteewi Run, Noblesville - Join us for a breath taking slide down Koteewi Run, central Indiana's only groomed snow tubing hill. Slide 700 feet down groomed lanes in our custom snow tubes to a soft landing, and then ride the tow line back to the top for another run.
Hiking & Horseback Riding
First Day Hike at Angel Mounds State Historic Site – Start 2021 off on the right foot with a First Day Hike at Angel Mounds State Historic Site. Explore the wooded trails during this guided tour of the location, learn about how the Mississippians likely survived the winter and more. Registration required by Dec. 30.
Indiana State Parks – Indiana State Parks remain open year round, providing a great place to get out and explore. Even in the winter, nature's beauty is abound, so bundle up and explore!
Spelunking – It’s always the same temperature inside these caves.
Natural Valley Ranch – Ride horseback for a 30- or 60-minute trail ride in Hendricks County.
Snowmobiling
Buffalo Run Snowmobile Trail – A 68-mile trail through St. Joseph County.
Miami Snowmobile Trail – A 60-mile trail in Elkhart County.
