Winter is supposed to be the coldest time of the year, but many people are having too much fun IN Indiana to notice. Chase the chill away with these Outdoor Adventures IN Indiana.
Follow along from north to south and create memories with these snowy outdoor adventures throughout the Hoosier state. Some of these are not open every day so check the official webpages for hours of operation.
Northern Indiana
Cross-Country Skiing at Indiana Dunes National Park
When there are at least a few inches of snow covering the trails in Northwest Indiana, it's time to bundle up and experience the winter beauty of the Midwest with cross-country skiing! Keep active this season while trekking across the snow-covered landscapes throughout the South Shore.
Central Park Plaza Ice Rink
This year-round venue in the heart of downtown Valparaiso offers cold weather fun from mid-November to the beginning of March. The 12,000-square-foot open-air pavilion provides the perfect setting for a variety of uses, but in the winter it is converted into a massive ice rink.
Howard Park
Howard Park’s 16,000-square-foot ice trail and pond is a premier winter destination for the South Bend region. This ice rink provides both a trail for advanced skaters and a rink for learning to skate and broomball!
NIBCO Water and Ice Park
Lace up your skates (or rent a pair) and take a spin around an outdoor facility that features a path and rink with the beautiful landscape and Elkhart River serving as a backdrop.
Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run
Zoom down the Midwest’s only refrigerated toboggan run. With the 30-foot tower and dips and valleys, the total vertical drop is 90 feet over the course of a quarter-mile. The top recorded speed is 42 mph. It’s a 20-30 second thrill ride!
Riverside Skating Center
Located outdoors at Tapawingo Park, this seasonal ice skating rink offers open skating from late November through early March. The rink is a 120x70-foot oval and is lit at night for a memorable winter experience.
Central Indiana
Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes
Join us for a breathtaking 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 our tow line back to the top for another run.
Fort Harrison State Park
There’s undoubtedly no better place in Indianapolis to sled than Fort Harrison State Park's sledding hill! Boasting one of the biggest sledding hills in the area – 300 feet, to be exact – you’ll have plenty of space to enjoy an endless loop of sledding fun.
Bicentennial Unity Plaza:
Experience Indy's most eagerly awaited wintertime attraction, the Elevance Health Rink at Bicentennial Unity Plaza, slated to open its doors on November 19th, 2023. Click here to purchase your tickets online and see the full schedule!
Natural Valley Ranch:
This family-owned ranch set in a scenic wooded area allows visitors to experience 30- and 60- minute horseback rides through their sprawling 75-acre property nestled alongside White Lick Creek near Brownsburg. In addition to horseback rides, visitors can see and interact with farm animals.
See Frozen Falls at McCormick's Creek State Park
These stunning frozen falls can be found within the Lieber State Recreation Area and consist of an upper and lower waterfall. It's also Indiana's largest waterfall (by volume).
Southern Indiana
Paoli Peaks:
Where the South looks for winter. Learn and play in an ideal climate for skiing, riding, and tubing, all thanks to our abundant snow-making capabilities! Our beginner terrain, winter clothing rental, and ski school is the perfect package to start a passion that lasts a lifetime.
See Frozen Falls at Clifty Falls State Park:
Clifty Falls State Park has plenty of trails and frozen waterfalls to explore this winter. Take the Clifty Falls Loop for a full winter hike around the entire park. This amazing recreational wonderland is full of the best winter hiking trails in Indiana.
Winter Wonderland Ice Rink:
Lawrenceburg kicks off the start of the holiday season in November with the opening of the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, a covered outdoor ice skating rink that remains open through early January. The pavilion at Todd Creech Park provides a roof overhead and a fire pit to keep you nice and cozy!
Perfect North Slopes
If it’s winter action you crave, then head for Perfect North Slopes. Here you can ski down family-friendly trails, snowboard on heart-pounding double black diamonds, or slide down a 750-foot tubing run.
