Mississinewa Lake
53 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
Mississinewa Lake: the name Mississinewa was derived from the Miami Indian word "Mis-chis-in-wah," which means water on a slope. The area is rich in Indian history.
Outdoors
Biking and mountain biking near Carmel
Trails and recreation areas near Carmel open to biking and mountain biking.
18places to ride
53 mito the closest
March–Novemberbest months
Good to know: Wilderness areas are closed to bikes; check each area’s trail rules and yield to hikers and horses.
Closest picks
Salamonie Lake
63 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Salamonie Lake: was derived from the Indian word "O-sah-mo-nee" which means "yellow paint." The Indians made yellow dye and paint from the bloodroot that grew abundantly along the banks of the stream.
Hardin Ridge
68 mi south · USDA Forest Service
Hardin Ridge is a 1,200-acre recreational complex located on the shores of Monroe Reservoir in Hooiser National Forest. The complex includes six shady campground loops, two picnic areas with shelters, and two rental cabins.
Map of all 18 places
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30 to 75 miles (5)
Mississinewa Lake
Mississinewa Lake: the name Mississinewa was derived from the Miami Indian word "Mis-chis-in-wah," which means water on a slope. The area is rich in Indian history.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
Salamonie Lake
Salamonie Lake: was derived from the Indian word "O-sah-mo-nee" which means "yellow paint." The Indians made yellow dye and paint from the bloodroot that grew abundantly along the banks of the stream.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Nature education
- Picnicking
Hardin Ridge
Hardin Ridge is a 1,200-acre recreational complex located on the shores of Monroe Reservoir in Hooiser National Forest. The complex includes six shady campground loops, two picnic areas with shelters, and two rental cabins.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
Hickory Ridge Campground
Hickory Ridge is a primitive campground located near the Hickory Ridge Trail system. Recreation Hickory Ridge Campground provides access to the Hickory Ridge Trail system for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 as a refuge to provide feeding and resting areas for migratory birds.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
75 miles and farther (13)
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 50,000 acres in Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties. The refuge covers a portion of the former Jefferson Proving Ground, a munitions testing facility operated by the U.S.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Shirley Creek Campground
Shirley Creek is a primitive campground. There is no use fee at this site. Recreation Shirley Creek Campground offers access to the Shirley Creek Trail system for horseback riding, mountain bike riding, and hiking Facilities A primitive…
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Youngs Creek Campground
A primitive campground with vault toilets, hitching racks, and a picnic shelter is available. Around 12 and half miles of trails are available for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
Hoosier National Forest
Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright.
- Biking
Patoka Lake
Patoka Lake: two pairs of bald eagles established nests during the spring of 1992 through 1997.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Caesar Creek Lake
Caesar Creek Lake, OH sits astride the crest of the Cincinnati Arch, a nationally recognized resource that is visited by fossil collectors from all over the world.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
Dunewood Campground
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer.
- Amphitheater
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
Indiana Dunes National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Paddling
- Picnicking
Cj Brown Dam And Reservoir - Dam Site (Oh)
C.J. Brown Reservoir is located in west-central Ohio, two miles northeast of Springfield; thirty-five miles northeast of Dayton, and forty-five miles west of Columbus.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Dunbar Group Site
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer.
- Beach
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Cultural Activities
Tipsaw Lake
The Tipsaw Lake Recreation Area is located on the shores of its namesake lake in south-central Indiana's Hoosier National Forest. It offers camping, picnic areas, boating, swimming, hiking, biking and educational programs.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
William H. Harsha Lake
William H. Harsha Lake, OH is located on the East Fork of the Little Miami River in Clermont County. In 1869 there were two active gold mines on the project.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Carmel. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Carmel
Questions
Where is the closest place for biking near Carmel?
Mississinewa Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 53 miles north of Carmel as the crow flies. Next are Salamonie Lake (63 mi) and Hardin Ridge (68 mi).
When is the best time for biking near Carmel?
Based on Carmel’s average highs, March–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.