Outdoors
Trails and recreation areas near Carmel open to horseback riding, including horse camps.
Good to know: Check trailer parking and stock water at the trailhead, and whether certified weed-free hay is required.
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.
67 mi south · USDA Forest Service
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.
69 mi south · USDA Forest Service
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.
Map of 10 places loads as you scroll.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
Hoosier National Forest, in the hills of south central Indiana, provides a wide mix of opportunities and resources for people to enjoy.
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.
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.
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.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity video shared by City of Carmel, Indiana.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity video shared by Landscape Structures.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Salamonie Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 63 miles northeast of Carmel as the crow flies. Next are Blackwell Campground (67 mi) and Hickory Ridge Campground (69 mi).
Based on Carmel’s average highs, March–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.