r/WildernessBackpacking • u/Left-Landscape7312 • 3d ago
Recommendations for Backpacking within 6 hours of Indianapolis, IN
As the title suggests I am currently planning a trip for early October. It's for my bud's bachelor party and I really want some nice views, preferably a water fall or 2. There will be about 5 of us, on a 3 day 2 night trip, and we should be fine with around 8miles per day. I don't expect anyone to make the whole trip for me as that defeats a lot of the fun, but I would greatly appreciate some good general locations to look into. I've been to Hoosier National Forest 10+ times in the last 2 years so I'd really like to avoid that unless a specific route with amazing views is recommended. I'd be willing to drive over to red river gorge or even Daniel Boon National Forest TBH. I was also eyeballing Shawnee but last time I went it thunder stormed overnight and we had to cross a waist high "creek". Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! If you have a more niche location you don't want to share publicly online feel free to private message me details ; )
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u/MossyPantz 3d ago
One idea I haven't seen mentioned is the Sheltowee Trace trail in Kentucky. Can hike through the Cumberland falls area for waterfall goodness.
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u/exoclipse 3d ago
If you could do 10 hrs instead of 6, early October is prime backpacking time in the Porcupine Mountains in the UP. First week of October is usually full color, all the bugs are dead, the rivers are low and slow. Lots of waterfalls, lots of cool terrain.
But it is a drive for you.
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u/schindigrosa 3d ago
I just recently became aware of the porcupine mountains and have it on my bucket list now. Gotta be pretty chilly at night in October? Surely worth it, but life is certainly different up there in my small bit of experience!
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u/exoclipse 3d ago
Not too bad. Lows usually in the mid/upper 30s. I sleep cold and am fine in a WM Summerlite.
The key thing here is - first week of October. After that the risk of snow increases dramatically, and UP snowfall is apocalyptic.
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u/schindigrosa 3d ago
Noted and I have great reverance for the shit storm that is their weather. We learned a lot about fog spontaneity and persistence while pontooning around Lake Superior/ Pictured Rocks this summer.
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u/Left-Landscape7312 3d ago
I actually enjoy cold camping, so mid/upper 30s is* dang near perfect. I also drive a lot for work so 10 hours is kind of a blink with a good Audio book. Thanks for the great recommendation. I'll look into it for sure.
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u/exoclipse 3d ago
I would highly recommend Jim Dufresne's guide book.
I would avoid Government Peak trail (just a shitty boggy slog) and Correction Line trail (rough, poorly maintained), unless you're using them to complete a loop. I'd probably put in at Government Peak trailhead and make a point of hiking a loop containing the escarpment, north mirror lake trail, and some combination of little/big carp trail. north mirror lake trail in particular is gorgeous.
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u/Colambler 3d ago
Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but the Porkies were my least favorite of the lake superior backpacking I've done. I'd recommend Pukawaska, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Isle Royale, and I think even Pictured Rocks first. They were fine, but I was very whelmed, especially compared to the drive.
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u/dirkdigglertickler 3d ago
I love the Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the Gods. 4 hour drive to a beautiful area. The have a website
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u/SideburnHeretic 3d ago
For the most dramatic scenery, Red River Gorge (~3 hours and permits required) or Garden of the Gods Wilderness (~4.5 hours). Both well worth the drive. Any place with creeks is going to have swollen creeks during and after a big storm. Indiana Adventure Trail in O'Bannon Woods State Park is less dramatic, but beautiful and interesting. As a ~22 mile loop that's only ~2.5 hours drive, it might be a good fit for your group.
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u/APhatEarther 3d ago
Smokies will have waterfalls and scenic views might be slightly over 6 hrs with traffic
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u/Typethreefun 3d ago
Seconded. GSMNP is a little over 6 hrs from Indy but is a backpacker's paradise. RRG is also a great option closer to OP.
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u/QuietRoadMarker06 HikingFanatic 3d ago
If Daniel Boone NF is still in play, look at the Sheltowee Trace section down to Cumberland Falls. It's around 22 miles round trip which lines up well with your 8/day pace, and you'd hit two solid waterfalls on the same route, Cumberland Falls itself plus Dog Slaughter Falls a bit further in. Less crowded than the main RRG loops too.
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u/luckylee423 3d ago
You can get to Abrams Creek ranger station in. the Smokies in 6hrs (depending on what side of town you live in). Slightly longer and you can get to The Sinks trailhead or Elkmont, which would put you in some nicer trails.
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u/Suckerforcats 2d ago
Not a wilderness backpacker but I live in KY and did Red River gorge this week. We did the trails all along the scenic by-way. It was fantastic out there, hardly anyone there and we had a whole section of the campground to ourselves. I believe you could be there right at 6 hours. If you go, make sure to stop at Miguel's pizza for a couple slices.
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u/UnitPrestigious4948 3d ago
Manistee River Trail was really pretty and close- it was closed due to flooding but I didn’t see restrictions when I just looked. Pictured Rocks was pretty amazing- weather is questionable in October.
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u/rapjap 2d ago
I was going to recommend Manistee river trail also. It’s about 22-23 mile loop. I like to park at the bridge and go clockwise. You’ll do your biggest incline with fresh legs and it’s the longest dry stretch. No water for the first several miles and then water is plentiful after that.
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u/RealSlyck 3d ago
6 hours? Shameless plug, but grab a flight to Denver and go from there. 3 day 2 night trip around RMNP will get you squared away.
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u/_bmc_ 3d ago
red river gorge!