Indiana Hiking and Backpacking Trips

Indianapolis, IN: Whitewater Memorial Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Dip into Whitewater Lake and the wooded heart of Indiana's 3rd largest state park with this 2.6-mile loop an hour and a half from Indianapolis.

Indianapolis, IN: Three Lakes Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Hike 10 miles in the settlers’ footsteps on the outskirts of Circle City.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Little Calumet River

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
This 3.4-miler tours historic sites in one of Indiana's first settlements and crosses the Little Calumet River floodplain in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Little Calumet River

BACKPACKER Review
This 3.4-miler tours historic sites in one of Indiana's first settlements and crosses the Little Calumet River floodplain in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Cowles Bog Loop

BACKPACKER Review
Link a sandy shoreline, forested dunes, and a boggy wetland on this easy-going, 4.2-mile lollipop loop in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Indianapolis, IN: Whitewater Memorial Loop

BACKPACKER Review
Dip into Whitewater Lake and the wooded heart of Indiana's 3rd largest state park with this 2.6-mile loop an hour and a half from Indianapolis.

Hoosier National Forest Indian Lake Loop

A beautiful day hike partially on the Two Lakes Loop with a little trail time even on the American Discovery Trail.

Indianapolis-Low Gap Trail 3mi Loop

Three mile loop that is within the 10.3mi trail. Just south of Indyianapolis 30min

Sycamore Loop

Despite threatning thunderstorms and tornado warnings our backpacking newbe guest was determined to get her first trip in... rain or shine.

South Bend, IN: Union Pier

Log some big miles on this this easy 84-miler that cruises country roads toward the old Lake Michigan tourist town of Union Pier.

Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Hike 30 Miles in a Day

BACKPACKER Review
See a week's worth of terrain on an epic dawn-to-dusk hike.

BACKPACKER Review
Tired of the same old weekend loops? Looking to create memories your grandkids will talk about? In this how-and-where guide, we serve up 15 extraordinary escapes that will shatter your expectations of "normal." From adventure moviemaking to canyoneering, we'll take you places you've never been—but will long to visit again soon.

Readers' Choice 2012: Top 3 - Midwest Hikes

BACKPACKER Review
This region's top mapper has notched 20 bag nights and 200 trail miles in 9 states this year scouting trails for BACKPACKER. Here are three of his favorite routes.

Readers' Choice 2012: Your Neck of the Woods - Midwest Hikes

BACKPACKER Review
Climb dunes, find instant solitude, camp atop riverside bluffs, ascend to surprising above-treeline views, and hike along the St. Croix River.

Rip & Go: Two Lakes Loop - Hoosier National Forest, IN

BACKPACKER Review
Camp next to forest lakes and rock-hop across clear streams.

Trip Finder: Great Lakes

BACKPACKER Review
Your favorite Great Lakes hikes—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips.

Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.

Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

Life's Short, Hike More!

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.