We was planning to go to the middle creek park, but GPS lead us to this park. Strange! There is one…read moretrail beside the parking lot. It's a loop and quite nice walk. The first half is mostly uphill, will be a little exhausting, but the 2nd half is much easier. There is an overlook area, but not much view.

I went looking for this site, and almost turned back when I saw a sign stating the road was Posted…read moreNo Trespassing. I stopped to ask a nearby homeowner, who promised the trailhead was just beyond the outdated sign. It was, all official with signage and a parking area. It's a nice trail, clearly marked and with several benches along the way. It's a loop of about a mile and a half, which ends by the creek. There's no real vista while the leaves are still on the trees, perhaps in winter? Maybe I'll make it back to find out!

One of my most favorite places! We come down every year for the KY derby and our entire crew stays…read moreat the lodge. We've been coming for over 50 years. Most recently, we've started staying in the executive cabins. We have around 40+ plus friends and family that come down and the General Butler Resort is a wonderful place to stay. They have grills and fire pit areas for each cabin or you can stay at the mountain lodge. Whatever you decide, this place is amazing from camping to hiking trails. The historical significance of the Butler mansion is so interesting, if you're into history. I've been here during Halloween for their paranormal event they have every year. They have the most impressive outdoor pool and host a variety of festivals over the summer, too!

We went here to hike one of the 'eazy' trails 1.6 miles long with older parents. I did find it hard…read moreto assess online what the trail would be like. There are very few pictures online and the trail description on the park website just explains the location of the trail, but nothing about the terrain. The park could also do a better job of posting directions on trails. I like that all cottages are connected to the trails, will try booking a cottage/cabin sometime in summer to experience it. There is a little lake and you can rent kayaks/canoes for a very nominal price.

Such a fun surprise of a neighborhood park!…read more This park has a large three-section play set, a basketball court, sand volleyball court, and a full picnic area with seating and grills, so it's really easy to spend a long afternoon here. There's even a disc golf course and a cute bridge that makes it feel extra scenic. The paved trail is pretty hilly, which honestly made for a great workout walk, and it's also good for bikes if you don't mind a few climbs. The absolute highlight for me was the access to the beautiful creek running through the park. There are also nice little habitat areas that would be great for bird watching. Public bathrooms are available, though they weren't the cleanest when I visited. There was some trash around, but there are plenty of trash cans, so hopefully that improves with use. It's surrounded by townhouses but open to the public and feels welcoming. Overall a great local park for families, walks, casual sports, or just relaxing by the creek.

South fork is a great spot to come with kids. We miss the big trees around the playground that used…read moreto offer shade in the heat of summer but the real gem when it's hot is taking your kids down to the creek to play. It's a wide creek that doesn't get too deep and the bank is not too steep.

Great park that is part of the Hamilton County Parks system and requires the affiliated parking…read morepass. It appears that the former golf course may no longer be available. There are several trails, playgrounds, some historic buildings, picnic areas, and extremely clean and well maintained restrooms. We opted for the Miami Fort trail, which offers fascinating signage about the earthworks and mounds that can be seen along parts of the trail, and about the Hopewell and Adena people who constructed them. If you take a close look at the map at the trailhead, it shows you where to look for the fort walls (to your right as you enter the fort, and there is very clear signage on the trail that indicates when you are entering and leaving the fort). We found that helpful for initially orientating ourselves, plus watching for additional signage along the way. The trail is 1.4 miles long, and you can loop all the way around the interior edge of the fort, if desired, or you can go out to the Ohio River Valley Overlook (or do both). We opted to do an out-and-back to the overlook because the other section of the loop seemed a bit overgrown. It's a very pretty forested area, and the overlook is excellent - you can see both Indiana and Kentucky from that point. There's a nice bench to sit and relax. It was definitely a popular spot as we saw several other groups moving along the trail and stopping at the lookout point. Signage at the lookout indicates that the last native group to use the area were the Shawnee, which is how the park's name was chosen. We really enjoyed the historical information and experience the lovely nature on the trail, plus the stunning view!

This was a great place for a family hike in Cincinnati. Great scenery and view of the Ohio River.read more

Much like the first reviewer, I've lived near this park for about a year without going to it. But…read moreit's honestly a hidden gem! Plenty of parking, a good variety of trails, well-market paths and intersections, and very quiet and peaceful. We went on a Saturday morning and only saw maybe 10 other people. The park name is extremely on point, by the way. Sycamores, sycamores everywhere.

I like to take out my kayak her when I come down from the tailwater; nice park, well-maintained,…read morepeople don't trash it which I appreciate. The walking trail along the East Fork is easy for hikers at all levels; lots of picnic shelters and a playground. All in all, a good recreational facility for all ages...

My son and daughter had an absolute blast. I come every chance I get because the park is so…read moreamazing. For the kids they have a 3 tier jungle gym for kids of all ages and a splash pad that keeps them cool on these 90° days we're having. And for the adults and parents to they have a basketball court and full Frisbee golf course. Hands down our favorite place to go for a way for kids to burn off energy and have fun.

Our family loves this park! The addition of the splash pad this summer makes it even better. They…read morehave play areas for both big and little kids, but I will say some of the larger structures are REALLY high for smaller kids. We love to grab dinner and eat at one of the shelters and let our kids burn off some energy!

Some parks are beautiful…read more Versailles State Park reminded me why it's worth slowing down. From the moment we arrived, there was something new to discover. The historic covered bridge feels enormous when you're standing beneath it, and stepping into the shade inside was an instant relief from the warm day outside. The weathered wood, years of wear, and little imperfections only added to its character. The waterfall became its own soundtrack for the afternoon. Between the rushing water and the constant chorus of birds, the park somehow felt full of life while remaining incredibly peaceful. A fisherman had found a quiet spot along the river, another visitor was reading beneath the trees, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the park at their own pace. One of my favorite memories came before we even started hiking. While we were sitting in the car looking over the trail map, a smiling gentleman waved from his pickup and asked, "Do you enjoy nature?" Of course we said yes. Grinning from ear to ear, he led us to a tiny opening in the trees and pointed toward the shoreline where a Great Blue Heron was quietly hiding. It's such a simple interaction, but it perfectly captured what I love about state parks. People aren't just there to enjoy nature--they're excited to help others experience it too. Later, while watching a butterfly drift along the trail, I happened to glance down at just the right moment and spotted the tiniest little frog sitting beside the path. He was still there on our hike back, and I couldn't help but smile knowing other hikers would probably get the same surprise. By the time we left, I felt completely recharged. Versailles State Park isn't a place to rush through. It's a place to wander, look up at the towering canopy, look down at the little things you'd normally miss, and let nature slow you down for a while.

Versailles State Park is a little over an hour Southeast of Indy and qualifies as Indiana's second…read morelargest state park. As I get to a new place in my current cancer journey, I'm finding that I am spending a lot of time in nature and doing bucket list items (No, I'm not dying). I've always wanted to visit Indiana's state parks and have been taking the time to start doing so. Despite its size, Versailles State Park is definitely lesser utilized than number one (Brown County). It does have the expected rolling hills of Southeastern Indiana and it has a 220-acre lake. You can rent rowboats, canoes, or kayaks. Versailles has over 20 miles of horse trails along with mountain bike and hiking trails. Located in Ripley County, the park was established in 1943. This area has a lot of historical significance including with the Civil War and the Civilian Conservation Corps. If you know the story of Morgan's Raiders, they actually made their way through this area during the Civil War. Versailles was also briefly under Confederate control. Versailles has a CCC Commemorative statue you can check out. There's quite a bit of camping within the state park. There are 238 camping sites with the majority offering electric. Versailles State Park offers a dam that's cool to visit along with a nature center. There are easy, moderate, and difficult hiking trails - as a wheelchair user, I was rather underwhelmed with accessibility options. However, I was still able to enjoy the park quite a bit. Fishing is available here along with bird watching and a variety of other activities. Versailles is fairly secluded. You're about a mile away from the nearest restaurant but you do have a variety of options within ten miles (including a motel for those who'd rather not rough it). The website has the full list of camping rates. The website also has all admission prices (there are daily and seasonal rates along with discounts for those on disability and veterans). Annual passes are for the most part good at any DNR property that charges a gate fee, though before leaving I tend to check websites just to make sure as there are some special exhibits and such that do charge a separate fee - that said, it's fairly rare. I would note that in-state fee is a bit lower than out-of-state fee (they judge by the license plate). I enjoyed my time here and could easily see some camping options. I loved the lake and did get some time on the easier trails. As I noted, accessibility options are a bit limited but DNR has overall massively improved accessibility statewide in parks. I could easily see making this a weekend trip with a stop in nearby Versailles for antiquing, nature, and history.

An incredible treasure tucked away in beautiful Madison, Indiana! The scenery alone makes it worth…read morethe trip--the rolling hills, peaceful woods, and well-kept paths make you feel like you've discovered a little slice of nature's magic. The hikes are very approachable, even for families with young kids. The trails are well-marked, not overly strenuous, and give you just the right mix of exercise and relaxation. My kids loved exploring the paths, spotting wildlife, and getting the chance to just run and play in a safe outdoor space. It's a wonderful way to introduce children to hiking without overwhelming them. For families, this place is ideal. The trails are wide enough in many areas for strollers, and there are plenty of spots to pause, take in the view, or enjoy a quick snack break together. It's the kind of place where you can spend an hour or the whole afternoon and leave feeling refreshed and reconnected. What I really love is how accessible and welcoming it feels--perfect for both locals and visitors to Madison. Whether you're looking for a short nature walk, a family outing, or a peaceful hike to clear your head, these trails are a gem. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Madison, Indiana--this spot is a true treasure for families, nature lovers, and anyone who just needs a little dose of outdoor beauty.

Beautiful state park with plenty of trails, parking and sights to see! Parks, picnic tables, and…read moreaffordable to get in, especially if you're a resident.

Large tall play area. My kids loved it and we went early enough we were the only people around. We…read moredid not make it to the creek due to it being too far away to walk with a 2 year old and 5 year old considering it would be uphill walk on the way back.

I almost didn't want to write this review ... because this truly is a hidden gem and I don't want…read moreit to get too crowded! But, I think I've kept this awesome Burlington trail a secret for long enough. Let me start by saying that there is a park area with a playground and covered shelter and grill that looks nice and clean! On our most recent visit, there was a big cookout going on, and all of the parking spaces in the small lot were full. Don't be concerned if that's the case when you arrive ... there's plenty of street parking available in the surrounding neighborhood. And - even if the play area is full of people, we've never seen another person on the actual trail beneath the park. This trail is not for hiking amateurs. You can except a VERY steep climb back uphill at the end of your visit. There is a side path that's a little less steep - but it's very rocky with lots of switchbacks. I definitely recommend this trail for more experienced hikers. If you are a beginner and still want to check it out, just be sure you know what you're getting into. It's definitely worth the climb! My husband and I often bring our dogs for a quick spin around this trail, on both weekday and weekend mornings. When you get down to the actual river, there's plenty of wildlife to check out. Most recently, we enjoyed the blooming Honeysuckle plants, but steered clear of a few snakes in the water. Be sure to watch where you step. Check out Gunpowder Creek the next time you're looking for a unique nature hike with a bit of a challenge. You won't be disappointed.

My favorite scenic park to fish and run in the summer! Really great scenic yet secluded park. Love…read moreit and come often this time of year.

1st time here, when you drove uphill, at the lake, the view is spectacular! There is plenty…read moreparking. We walked half or maybe 1/3of the trail beside the lake, very nice trail, and excellent view. There is creek running through several area through the trail, but the time we were here in Autumn, it's mostly dry. We didn't finished the whole trail, will definitely come again to try the trail from the other side.