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Places you can experience fall colors in Indiana

Many people may visit Brown County to take in the fall colors, but that’s not the only place in Indiana that has beautiful autumn views to offer. Cliff Chapman, executive director of the Central Indiana Land Trust (or CILTI), joined us today to share some other areas you may enjoy.

  1. Burnett Woods in Avon. While Hoosiers often think of driving through hilly areas for leaf peeping, Burnett Woods offers a unique option because its colors are on display in a flat wooded area. A stroll through this incredibly diverse forest provides a close-up view of the many layers and strata of colors that come from a wide range of tree species. The added bonus? It’s an easy walk, so it’s good for young kids or those with some mobility issues. One tip: Expect to encounter some road construction on the way to Burnett Woods, but don’t let that deter you from this fall color display.
  1. Blossom Hollow in Johnson County. You’ll find a more traditional, hilly leaf-peeping adventure at Blossom Hollow, but you’ll enjoy being away from the crowd. Walking through Blossom Hollow lets you experience nature’s fall display up close, especially those created by Indiana’s native hardwood trees. You’ll also mike catch a glimpse of migratory birds and nesting songbirds. Round out your outing with a stop at nearby Apple Works for apples, you-pick pumpkins and fresh-squeezed cider.
  1. Meyer Nature Preserve in Morgan County. Even the parking lot at Morgan County’s Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve is a colorful treat, as it provides an up-close view of a magnificent black gum tree (photo attached), which serves up arguably the prettiest autumn color found in Indiana. The brilliant red leaves are even brighter than those of the beloved red maple. Heading on into the woods you’ll see more gorgeous leaves, but don’t spend all of your time looking up: Enjoy the ground-level colors from flowering plants like the blue aster, and blue-stemmed and heart-leaved goldenrod. 
  1. Fort Harrison State Park. While it’s not a CILTI preserve, we’re happy to urge people to reduce their leaf-peeping carbon footprint by visiting nearby Fort Harrison State Park. With dedicated nature preserves within its boundaries, the park give visitors amazing topography to wander, where they can enjoy the wide spectrum of colors created by a diversity of trees. With a number of trails and paved pathways, the park makes fall colors accessible to anyone, whether you’re looking for a rugged hike or a casual stroll.