White River State Park is one of the most popular parks in the city, and for good reason! The…read morenickname for it is Indy's backyard. With riverfront and canal-front trails, a pedestrian bridge to the zoo, proximity to the city, and the amphitheater, so much goes on down here. Over the years, my favorite special events have been the food truck festival and the solar eclipse festival. The area is kept to be pedestrian friendly, with parking being underground to the park and wide walking and biking lanes. During warmer weather, I often see a hotdog vendor for a nice and easy lunch. There's lots of sculptures around the park too, which helps to keep things scenic. There's also a huge lawn space for running around.

This park is such a gem! As I write this review while listening to "Here Comes The Sun" by The…read moreBeatles, I feel like I'm right back walking through the beautiful pathways and taking in skyline views. From the canal and trails to the open green spaces, there's something here for everyone to enjoy. Plenty of smaller festivals and walks/runs are held at this park, and it truly seems like the perfect spot for them. My favorite festival that happens here is the Taste of Indy, which takes place in the summer and the MS Walk is always a well organized event here. I also really enjoy walking the paths behind the zoo, especially in the spring when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Absolutely gorgeous! Ps - As beautiful as it is, be sure to stay alert while on the pathways!

I have mixed feelings about this place. On the one hand, the people working here are very helpful…read moreand friendly. It is also the most affordable option in Indy. However, the campground is odd. The sites are incredibly tight, there is virtually no grass, and there really isn't anything to do for kids (no playground, trails, etc) outside of the pay lake, which is on the expensive side. We stayed here passing through Indianapolis, and it was a good location to explore the city. As far as camping goes, it feels more like a trailer park then a campground. Most of the "campers" here are permanent residents. That being said, I would probably stay here again, if for no other reason than the price.

I chose one star so I could post a review. I would not give this place a single star. Here is…read morewhy... My wife and I are on a trip from Alaska to Miami in our motor home. We were about 4000 miles when we had our Indy Lakes experience. Truck was running great and other than being dirty from driving the Alaska highway, through Canada and 5 States was looking good. It had been a long day of driving. We decided to look for an RV Park in Indianapolis for an overnight stay. I called Indy Lakes. A woman, whose name I don't recall answered the phone. I asked if there was space available for my motor home. She asked the length of our RV and then asked the year. I told her that it was a 1994. She curtly told me that the Park only allowed RVs that are 2005 or newer. I had never encountered a refusal like this so I asked why. She told me that was Park policy. But why I asked. She told me it was for "aesthetics". I told her my RV was older but in very good shape. Her response, it was older than 2005 and was not allowed. She said other Parks in the area have the same policy. I told her that I was a disabled veteran and my wife and I were pretty beat and I just needed a place to stay for one night. Our situation and my status didn't seem to matter and she replied that our RV must be newer. A little frustrated I thanked her and hung up. My wife was shaking her head as she listened to our conversation. I decided to call her back. I asked what would happen if a 2006 RV showed up and did not meet their subjective aesthetic standards. I was told that they would also be turned away. That would mean that any RV, no matter what the year, could be turned away. Her arrogance and condescension was palpable. Surprised, I asked if they also had an age restriction and was preparing to ask another question when she exclaimed something and hung up on me. What I was going to ask is what if a disabled Vet showed up in a Pre-2005 RV that was not new but not trashy, and had been reconfigured to accommodate his/her disability, Would that RV also be turned away? Based on her response to me the aesthetics of the RV would be the determining factor. I respect a business to conduct business as they see fit. But I was very surprised at the representative's attitude to our situation and status. I took my money elsewhere. Given her total disregard for a veteran with disabilities I hope others do the same...

Indy is truly so lucky to be able to have as much outdoor space as we do through Fort Harrison…read moreState Park. There are trails galore, and that's mainly why I go, so I'll focus on that. There are a lot of different trailheads that have different difficulty, but I'd say they're mostly moderate on average. Each trailhead has its own parking lot. There is also a $7 entry fee per car. The trails aren't too busy most of the time but it's not uncommon to pass by others. The trails are also very clean and kept under good shade covered. There's nice views here with all the trees and the historical sites from when Fort Harrison was, well, a fort. I'm mostly a hiker by way of my outdoor adventures, so I'd love to check out some of the other resources at the park sometime!

Back at Fort Harrison with my best fur-iend Bentley. There are lots of trails here, but when this…read morelittle guy is with me we stick to the paved paths. He's got a huge adventure spirit, just little legs, so we switch things up with chauffeur service, aka me pushing his stroller :D This is one of our favorite easy outings together.

I had a blast here playing paintball. I called ahead, made reservations, they told me when to get…read morethere for our 1pm start time. We had 20 people and they were so organized. When we got there, we followed the signs to paintball. We went into the place that looked like it would be the office, it was. We made sure everyone signed the waiver, a few of us wanted overalls. We got everything done and we were ready for our safety / procedure instructions. After that, we started the paintball fight! We split in two teams, the teams were mixed each session, we played about 6 rounds with 3 different games and then it was time for us to head home - we could have been there longer, but we had a schedule to keep. Overall - it was a fun time for everyone.

Upon arrival, there was no clear indication of where to check in. The building labeled Office had a…read morepermanent "Closed" sign, which made things even more confusing. After wandering around, we finally found someone. The owner seemed unsure about checking us in, mentioning that they're normally closed on Tuesdays, which explained why only two staff members were onsite and why it felt like they weren't expecting us. We were informed there was an electrical outage being worked on at the time. Understandable--but when we tried to pull into our site to wait it out, the space was occupied by the electrician and his trailer of tools. The owner had to track him down to get the site cleared. Once we finally pulled in, the campsite itself was a mess: five trash cans stacked up, a broken picnic table shoved to the back, a fire pit overflowing with ash and garbage, and litter scattered all over--plastic utensils, bottle caps, string, caution tape, and paper trash. The whole site looked neglected, with uneven gravel, sticks, and leaves everywhere. We had prepaid $46 for a trailer of firewood, expecting enough for a 5-day stay. Instead, what we received was roughly the equivalent of four bundles--maybe $28 worth at best--and the wood was wet, making it hard to use. Other campers around us received much larger, drier loads of wood, and even a staff member commented that our delivery was ridiculous and promised more, but nothing ever came. The bathrooms and showers were another major disappointment. Except for one permanent building at the far end of the park, everything else is portable toilets and trailers. The trailer near us was unusable the first day because no one had bothered to turn the breaker on. Even once it was working, the power was mysteriously shut off multiple times without notice, leaving campers stranded. It also wasn't stocked with hand towels until our last day. The shower trailer offered only two stalls, both moldy, with no hooks or shelves to place belongings. The shower I used had such a moldy curtain that I refused to close it. Ventilation was poor, and if you cracked the window, you were exposed to a mechanical area and a neighboring porch. Portable toilets throughout the park were even worse--several were overflowing, creating awful smells that you couldn't avoid while walking to the lake. While the park map shows brick-and-mortar restrooms at the event hall, staff told us they simply don't open them. Everywhere we went--the docks, stages, buildings--looked dirty, dusty, and poorly maintained. The "vintage campers" offered for rent were also concerning. They were left unlocked, and when we peeked inside, the smell of mold and mildew was overpowering. The bedding looked like it hadn't been washed in months. There's no way I would ever stay in one of those. Ultimately, we cut our stay short by a day because nothing about the experience encouraged us to stick around. Bottom line: The location itself is stunning and the property has incredible potential, but it desperately needs a full cleanup and refresh. Campsites should be maintained (fire pits cleaned, picnic tables fixed, gravel added, trash removed), facilities deep-cleaned, and bathrooms and showers properly managed. The dock area needs attention (and the massive wasp nest removed). The entrance and check-in process should be clear and welcoming, and rental campers need serious restoration before being offered. With effort and care, this place could be worth the $45/night rate. But in its current state, it was a huge disappointment.

I'm not what you would call an expert camper, and neither was my friend I headed up there with. We…read morewere more concerned how we were going to sneak in booze as opposed to things likesilverware. This was a great little campground off the dunes and I had a great experience. The walk-in sites were really spread apart and you couldn't see or hear your neighbors at all - this is even with every site taken! It was quiet, clean and relaxing. We picked a spot way in the back (#19 the best spot ever) and set up for a great evening. The whole process of getting a spot was quite tricky and I became easily confused. If you aren't used to the whole process here's how it goes: 1. Arrive EARLY, especially if you are going on a Saturday. The sites renew at 10 a.m., check out is noon. I recommend getting there around 9:15 a.m. to get there before people leave and have first dibs. 2. Stop at the little ranger house and pick up a yellow envelope. The envelope has two parts. One part is to reserve your spot on the reservation board, the other is to put money in once you pick your spot. 3. Drive to the walk-in site parking lot. Take a look at the board and see what spots are available, pick a spot and then clip your piece of paper (without the money) to the board. 4. Grab your stuff and walk to the site. If the site is somehow taken, you can't do anything about it - first come, first serve basis. 5. Repeat 3 & 4 until you find a spot. 6. Go back to the ranger hut and deposit your money. 7. Drag your crap through the woods and set up camp! Hint The spots towards the front are easier to get to, but also noisier and your neighbors are closer. The mid-20 numbered sites seemed to be the best spots. Also, I saw a lot of online bickering in regards to alcohol. Here's the deal, be courteous, be responsible, get some plastic cups and that giant keg for the picnic table is not a good idea. They come around around 9 or 10 to check the site and lecture you about peeing in the woods (I got caught with my pants down). Keep it on the DL and don't be a jerk and you'll be a happy camper!

I visited here get a little exercise while in town recently and was impressed with the quality of…read morethe trails and hiking paths around. Parking was easy to come by on a weekday but I can see it getting tough on a nice weekend day. I thought the $8/day was a little steep and wished they had a weekly pass

Eagle Creek Park is so beautiful during the warmer seasons. I took a walk on the red trail, an was…read moreable to take in the amazing sights. There is plenty to do such as taking a walk on the many trails, riding your bike, renting a shelter, kayaking, boating, going to the bird observatory and more! You can even go zip lining at Go Ape! The park is always clean and peaceful. There is a charge of $6 to get into the park, however you can purchase a year pass at a cheaper rate.

Me and my family come at least once a year for a trip with WRCC. We almost always do individual…read morekayaks as they are easier to handle. The buses and kayaks have always been clean and in good shape. The path is clear and we understand where we are able to stop and where the route ends. At the end the employees (usually young boys in HS) are helpful in pulling you onto shore or helping you up out of the kayak.

My family and I have used this company for tubing before and really appreciate that they don't make…read moreyou take the tubes up their stairs when your trip is over. This time as per usual we were told at drop off that at the end we could leave the tubes and just take our life jacket and ties up the long flight of stairs. Unfortunately when we got to the landing, Diego did not get up to help with the tubes and when I asked him if he was going to take the the tubes up as that is what I was told was going to happen, his reply was "oh, well, what did they say" and he didn't move an inch from lounging in his tube and when I pushed back, he kept saying "no, no, they don't take tubes up the stairs"...so this middle aged lady had to haul a tube up the stairs along with everything else. Not Cool

Excellent day. Staff were constantly willing to help pull boats on shore at the landing sites. We…read morehope to go back!

Jameson Camp is a hidden gem located off of Bridgeport Road just north of West Washington Street…read more First I'd like to take a moment to tell you of the wonderful work Jameson Camp does and how your rental fees help with that mission. The Camp is a beautiful venue for events while the affordable rental fees help support the children and youth programs for at-risk youths. The Camp began in 1928 and you or your grandparents may be familiar with their history of serving ill children. Jameson Camps' focus is on children's social, behavioral and emotional challenges and equipping them for productive and responsible lives. Responding to an increasing concern for childhood obesity a Wellness Camp was launched in 2006, a creative program that utilizes camp to teach healthy choices in fitness and nutrition. Last, but certainly not least, is their Camp Tataya Mato for children affected by HIV/AIDS which is the only residential camp to these special children in Indiana. As you can see your rental fees support the outstanding work Jameson Camp does serving children with health needs in the Indianapolis area. In 2006 they replaced the original headquarter with a beautiful new center, lodge, health center and a nature and arts and crafts center. No only providing enhanced program facilities for the children, these buildings provide new opportunities to serve as a community partner and provide funding from the rental fees. This is a wonderful venue for events as small as a corporate business meeting to an elegant wedding. Several sizes of venues are available or even rent the entire camp for the ideal wedding or family reunion where your event along with family and friends are residing at one location. The Lodge and Cabins are so affordable compared to the cost of hotel rooms and transportation for your wedding guests, business associates or family traveling. The Lodge is its own large facility and sleeps 24 for $450. What a savings compared to a Hotel!! There are four meeting areas of various sizes and prices along with 6 cabins for lodging that accommodates 24 in each plus don't forget The Lodge. The Challenge Course is available to incorporate into your event with low and high ropes plus a climbing wall. Other amenities include a basketball court, swimming pool, open game fields and a campfire circle. The Jameson Center is picturesque with a majestic-pine-framed dining room with a striking two sided fireplace that accommodates 140 persons for dinner. If that's too large select the smaller dining room with fireplace and seats 30. The Jameson Center rental includes the use of their FULL commercial kitchen including the walk-in refrigerator and walk-in freezer. A Chefs' dream whether you use a preferred caterer or you personally prepare the meals. Vanessa, the Office Manager, was telling me of recent large wedding with a beautiful large tent adjacent to the Jameson Center where the guests stepped directly into the tent from the dining room. You can have your wedding and dinner inside and dancing outside. So many options here! Leadership training, Corporate Team Meeting, Weddings, Reunions, endless uses for this venue. Be sure to check out this scenic facility and grounds. Give Vanessa Fry a call for a tour or e-mail her at Vanessa@jamesoncamp.org for additional information.

I'm really starting to appreciate nature and hiking. This park is a nice spot for a peaceful walk…read more I visited with my son to enjoy some quality time and nature, and it's conveniently close to our home. It wasn't very busy the day we came. The park has shelters and multiple walking trails, which gives you options depending on how far you want to go. I noticed people taking family pictures at this park. One of the highlights was the water along the trail which adds a really pretty, calming touch to the scenery. The weather was decent temperature but a bit gloomy the day we went, and there were a lot of leaves on the trail. We didn't check the map and just kind of winged it, so parts of the trail were hard to follow because the leaves covered the path, but it wasn't an issue. Overall, we enjoyed the walk, the quiet surroundings, and the chance to bond while taking in what nature has to offer.

Southeastway Park is a hidden 188 acre treasure in the southeast corner of Marion County. The Park…read morehas trails through sycamore filled woods, picnic areas, a large playground and a naturalist center. Best of all, the park is free. The park maintains several natural habitats including a pond, wetland, prairie and Buck Creek. The setting is perfect for bird watching, hiking, running, walking the dog or enjoying a sunset. The six shelters can be reserved (rented) for parties, meetings, picnics for $135 for residents of Marion County or $160 for non-residents. The naturalist center/classroom can also be reserved during certain months. There are lots of picnic tables available on first come basis. There is a bathroom facility available in the warmer months. The naturalists run special educational programs throughout the year including summer day camps for the kids, a bug festival, maple syrup tapping in late winter and hayrides in the fall. The Park will be hosting eclipse viewing on April 8. I was visiting the Master Naturalist Class, a but also took my dog on a nice walk. The park is open dawn til dusk and worth a visit. Plan on spending a couple hours. Be sure to bring your bug repellent.