Cecil M. Harden Lake
52 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers
The fall forest colors are vivid in October when Parke County holds its nine-day Covered Bridge Festival. Cecil M.
Outdoors
Hiking near Carmel
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Carmel, closest first.
29places to hike
52 mito the closest
March–June, September–Novemberbest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Cagles Mill Lake
53 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Cagles Mill Lake: The control tower is round and the outlet works conduit was mined through solid rock. Cataract Falls, with upper and lower falls, is the largest waterfall (by volume) in Indiana.
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.
Map of all 29 places
Map of 29 places loads as you scroll.
30 to 75 miles (9)
Cecil M. Harden Lake
The fall forest colors are vivid in October when Parke County holds its nine-day Covered Bridge Festival. Cecil M.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Cagles Mill Lake
Cagles Mill Lake: The control tower is round and the outlet works conduit was mined through solid rock. Cataract Falls, with upper and lower falls, is the largest waterfall (by volume) in Indiana.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
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
Blackwell Campground
The camp is located along Tower Ridge Road in the center of the Charles Deam Wilderness area, approximately one mile from Highway 446. The camp also is a trailhead for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness trail system.
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Wilderness
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
Brookville Lake
Brookville Lake, IN lies in the heart of the Whitewater River Valley. This area has long been acknowledged as one of the most picturesque and historically significant in the State of Indiana.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
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 (20)
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
West Fork of Mill Creek Lake
West Fork Lake, OH is leased to the Hamilton County Park District and is part of the 2,630-acre Winton Woods Park. The park includes two State Dedicated Nature Preserves including Spring Beauty Dell and the Greenbelt Area.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
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
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
Ohio River - McAlpine Pool
Provides a navigational channel between Louisville and Cincinnati that is an integral part of Ohio River navigation.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Indian Celina Lake
The Indian-Celina Lake Recreation Area is a tranquil getaway in the midst of the Hoosier National Forest.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Hunting
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
Central Avenue Walk-in Sites
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer.
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wilderness
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
Clarence J. Brown Dam and Reservoir
C.J. Brown Dam & Reservoir, OH is located on the northeast corner of Springfield on the Buck Creek, 7 miles above its confluence with Mad River. The project is home to two rare fen communities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
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
Buzzard Roost Campground
A scenic location for hiking and camping. Parking areas are available at the first trailhead access and at the picnic/camping spur. Tables, grills, garbage can, info board and a vault toilet are available at the camping area.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Observation Site
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
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area
The Patoka River in Southwest Indiana had long been recognized for its wetland and wildlife values on a local, statewide and regional basis.
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
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
Saddle Lake Campground
The Saddle Lake Recreation Area was one of four that was associated with flood control lakes built along the Middle Fork of the Anderson River. Saddle Lake has a primitive campground, a boat ramp, and a hiking trail.
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Non-Motorized Boating
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 hiking near Carmel?
Cecil M. Harden Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 52 miles west of Carmel as the crow flies. Next are Cagles Mill Lake (53 mi) and Mississinewa Lake (53 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Carmel?
Based on Carmel’s average highs, March–June, September–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.