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Griffy Lake Nature Preserve

4.0 (13 reviews)
Open 5:00 am - 11:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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entrance to the nature preserve
Ken N.

If you like hiking through wooded hills with a lot of elevation change, take on some of the trails at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. It is a little out of the way, but not too far from Bloomington's north side. In fact, Hinkle Road has a lot of curves and some of the hills are steep, so be careful as you drive along here. I would avoid if it is rainy or icy just because you don't want to go through a guard rail! But if you go on a beautiful autumn day like I did, you shouldn't have any trouble getting here. And once on the trails, just pay attention for the random tree roots and quick changes in direction you may encounter. The trails are relatively wide where I walked, but once the leaves start falling, I am not sure how easy it will be to stay on the trails. I didn't notice any tree markings along the way. There were some signs and the Nature Trail did have some numbered posts in the ground, but otherwise, I wasn't sure what I would do to be sure I was on the trail. In addition to the hiking trails, there was a fishing pier near the lot. There were also seasonally open restrooms, and a picnic table, but I didn't see any shelters. If you don't mind getting a good workout, the trails tend to be less than 2 miles each, but there are lots you can take to get more miles if you need to. Review #3289

Colleene B.

We spent Memorial Day exploring the lake in a canoe and hiking trails. We have two kids ages 4 and 7. They loved the Griffy Creek Trail and the East North Shore Loop. We saw an amazing variety of plants, wildflowers, bugs, and the tiniest Baby toads. We will definitely be back!

Jackie G.

As you can see from the photo, Griffy Lake doesn't currently have an actual lake. If you're looking for a lake, you'll be disappointed. If you're looking to hike, I think you'll be quite content. I've been to Griffy Lake a handful of times with various people, and I've come to love it for its accessibility. There are a few short paths ranging from 0.3-0.5 miles, and then there is one 1.6 path. I really enjoy taking the longer one and have gone by myself, with friends from out of town, and my mom! I have gone on the shorter ones with friends and a dog because we weren't sure if the puppy could handle the longer route. Note that the arrows next to the path names on the wooden sign at the entrance are color coded, so you can follow those once one the path to ensure you are on the intended path. I really enjoy the longer one because if you start at the wooden sign with the path names, the route is pretty steep at the beginning but then gradually slopes down. I know my mom wasn't super thrilled about the steep walk up, but I kept encouraging her that it would get easier. And then she loved it. Once I passed a few elderly people with hiking sticks or canes on the path. On that same hike, I passed a small child with his parents. The wide eyed child looked at me and told me "there are coyotes here", and on my drive home I saw a loose dog or maybe a coyote. I'm not sure. It wasn't on the trail, so you can take this information with a grain of salt. I have seen many squirrels and few frogs on the path! I've read that Griffy Lake used to be a reservoir and water source for the area, but since its creation Monroe Lake has replaced it. This year work to remove silt deposits (I sound like I know what I'm talking about, right?), and I think that after the work is complete, water will be back in the lake and we can rightfully call it Griffy Lake! I think the work is hard though, as on one of my recent visits a large excavator was stuck in the mud/silt. There was a crowd watching it struggle to freedom. You never know what you'll see at Griffy Lake. My only issue with the lake is that it's not a lake at the moment, and there seem to be many great paths in other parts of the area - you can grab a map near the point that Google maps takes you to - but I don't know where to find them! Once these things are resolved I'll likely up this to 5 stars.

Beautiful creek side trail.

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1 year ago

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6 years ago

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

This is a great place for a decently long (and moderately difficult) hike. Several elevation changes and scenic lake views.

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6 years ago

So convenient to get to in town. Great for walking dogs, hiking, canoeing by the hour. Easy to park, great trails and wildlife.

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7 years ago

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Review Highlights - Griffy Lake Nature Preserve

We spent Memorial Day exploring the lake in a canoe and hiking trails.

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Lake Monroe Boat Rental

Lake Monroe Boat Rental

3.1
(25 reviews)
9.1 mi

This review is for their General Store ONLY since we did not rent a boat from them. The store is…read morelocated just outside the check in gate for the camping grounds. There are within sight of each other. The store is basically stocked to support the campers but also the people renting boats who may have forgot some critical needs. For such a tiny store they have managed to stock just about every need one could think of. And no matter how prepared you think you are, it seems you always forget something or run out of some supplies. This store has been a lifesaver for us. We needed a smaller styrofoam cooler to take on a boat instead of our full size cooler on wheels - check, they had it. We needed something to go on a sunburn - check, they had it. And it was a great product, an aloe gel with lidocaine. We forgot to bring the cereal, brought the milk, but forgot the cereal - check, they had eight kinds to choose from including our favorite, Frosted Flakes. Last year when we brought the granddaughters, they had all that weird packaged candy they like. And of course, they have three giant freezers of bagged ice. At $2.50 a bag, I think that's pretty reasonable all things considered. Some prices are high but fair for being remote. Kroger is six miles away. They aren't gouging you like some places outside the State Recreation Area.

My bf and I rented jet skis on a Sunday morning and I can't wait to do it again. Go in the morning…read moreand you get an early bird price! (And the lake isn't as busy) As someone who has boated on Monroe my whole life, jet skis created a whole new experience of the lake. I had never driven one, but it was super simple. Next time I'll rent one for longer. :) No complaints in regards to the staff. It's never a bad idea to take photo/video of the jet ski or boat before you head out on the water though. They were very thorough with us and I felt prepared! You may want to note that a $7 fee is required to get into the park where they are located- unless you hold the state park pass!

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Lake Monroe Boat Rental
Lake Monroe Boat Rental
Lake Monroe Boat Rental

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Scenic View Restaurant

Scenic View Restaurant

3.4
(34 reviews)
7.7 mi
$$

What a hidden gem ! Our restaurant this month was @scenicviewrestaurant. We went for a classic…read morebrunch - featuring a mimosa pitcher. I got one of their giant pancakes and some scrambled eggs. I can't describe it accurately - but it was the creamiest, fluffiest pancake I've ever had. Possibly my new btown pancake stop ! My husband got the biscuits in gravy and the moment his plate was sat down, I could smell the sausage. He said it was delicious so I had to confirm - it was ! Reasonable prices, adorable restaurant, and a very scenic view. We could see the lake from our outside table !

Becky and I snuck away downstate to this little restaurant that one of our friends had recommended…read more BEAUTIFUL drive, Beautiful view, and BEAUTIFUL company... !!! Becky loved the red trees around the lake, but still let me take the seat with the window view for breakfast.. She's a wonderful gal! The menu was small, which was good, because, I forgot my reading glasses! I ordered the Biscuits &Gravy but Becky got the Classic egg Breakfast, with Eggs, Potatoes, Toast and Sauaage. The ratio of Gravy to my Buiscuts could use improvement, but the taste was pretty good. Becky loves a good breakfast Potatoe and she said "The Potatoes we're the Star of the Show!!". I thought Becky sitting in front of that gorgeous view was the star of the show.. hahaha!!!! OK food and good potatoes with a stunning view. We may come back in the Summer to take advantage of the patio Seating!!

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Crab Cake Benedict
Crab Cake Benedict
Scenic View Restaurant
Eggs to Order

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Eggs to Order
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Lake Monroe

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Lake Monroe

4.0
(24 reviews)
11.9 mi

Good - what is good is you can camp and be close to the spash pad and pools…read more Bad - needs a lot of up dates. Painting, cleaning the bathrooms. Showers not working correctly whole time we were there. No one watching the water slides it was a free for all. Bathrooms were dirty.

Ten stars! Twenty stars! All the stars for this Jellystone Park. I'm not even exaggerating -- this…read moreplace is great. First of all, you have to understand one thing about me: I hate camping. Like, seriously, camping just sucks. But here, at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Lake Monroe, I actually kind of enjoy camping a tiny bit, because of these reasons: 1. They offer cabins! And they're super clean! And they come with full refrigerators, and TVs with cable, and full bathrooms with showers inside. And screened porches where you can relax on a summer's evening without having to worry about swatting away mosquitos. 2. They offer a full day's worth of activities for the whole family. When you check in, they give you a long paper that they've printed that lists all the fun they've planned for the time period that you're staying, broken down by the hour. So you can choose to participate in any number of family-friendly activities, like water balloon races, or bubble activities, or crafts, or water gun things. Every morning, you can meet up with Cindy Bear and do some stretches and say the pledge of allegiance. Kids love this stuff! This campground really caters to kids and families. Also, there are dozens of high school- and college-aged kids who work there who are constantly supervising and will start up random games of Simon Says or Red Light, Green Light with kids. 3. Besides the planned activities, this place has an amazing splashground and two pools. The splashground is like a splash pad and water park rolled into one: there are slides, bubblers, sprinklers and the like, with beach chairs around the water area. Next to the splashground is the playground and sandbox, which is where my kids spent a lot of time playing. 4. There's lots of other stuff to do, like hiking (we found lots of geodes!), or you can rent a go cart or golf cart and drive around, or play volleyball or basketball, or jump on the Jump Pillow, or mine for fossils, or play a board game in the recreation room, or get a scoop of ice cream at the Ranger Center. There is seriously so much to do here. I should also note that the people who work here are so friendly and will bend over backward to accommodate you. They are also super chill and totally used to kids being kids, so we felt completely comfortable during our whole stay. I can't say enough positive things about Jellystone Park. We had such a great experience, especially my kids, which is why I suffer through things like camping in the first place. We will definitely be back!

Photos
Interior of our Hoosier Hideaway
Interior of our Hoosier Hideaway
Playground & Sand box
Playground & Sand box
Interior of our Hoosier Hideaway

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Interior of our Hoosier Hideaway
Miller-Showers Park

Miller-Showers Park

4.3
(4 reviews)
1.7 mi

So glad the city of Bloomington decided to redo this marshland in 2003. They have renewed what was…read moreoriginally 29% of Indiana before the settlers came in the 1800s. This is important because wetlands help with pollution control, ease erosion, and storm runoff. It also provides a beautiful urban park view from local businesses like Heartwork brewing, and home 2 suites hotel. Quick 15 minute walk around the park with your dog would be ideal, which includes doggy bags and a water fountain for you and your furry friend.

This is a nice park. It dates back to 1929 and was originally named the Jacob & Loretta Miller…read moreHomestead. The land that the park sits on was purchased by the city for $1. The location could be better though. It is sandwiched between a highly trafficked main road and with cars zooming by. It has a small parking lot with a 3-hour limit and a very nice state-of-the-art stormwater retention facility that serves as a beautiful lake with a small water fall. Talk about taking lemons and making lemonade. There is a pier that goes out over the lake to give you a better view and it has benches for you to sit. There are also some benches and bike racks in the parking lot area and on the opposite side. I was very impressed by the .6 mile paved walking/jogging track that goes around the park's perimeter. You will find the Red, Blond, Black, and Olive sculpture on the end of the park opposite the parking lot. The sculpture is in a little plaza area that has bike racks, benches and a lake overlook. On one side of the park you will find another plaza area with a bridge, lake overlook and a bunch of benches. Here is where you will find the park's limestone sign near the street. On the other side of the park, opposite the limestone sign and across the bridge, you will find the Axis sculpture that sits right off the water. The park is home to numerous local plants and has information placards around explaining the sculptures the water retention lake, and the plants. As I mentioned, this park is a good park, but because it is smack dab in the middle of a high traffic area, it is not very peaceful. That is the main knock I have about this park. The park also does not have restroom facilities, or playground equipment, but it is not that type of park. The park has received numerous awards through the years including the the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's Community Enhancement Award in 2004, and the Indiana Urban Forest Council's Outstanding Project Award in 2005. This is not a bad place to past time and the closet you will get to nature in downtown Bloomington. I would say that it is worth a visit.

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Lilly pads & pollution control
Lilly pads & pollution control
Beautiful fall wild flowers
Beautiful fall wild flowers
Black eyed susans

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Black eyed susans

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve - lakes - Updated July 2026

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