Living that Outdoors Life in Bloomington and Indy
When life gets stressful, sometimes it's great to spend some time in nature to wind down. Whatever campus you end up on, there are great options for outdoor adventuring!
Bloomington
If you're not that great at planning trips or prefer to have a guided tour, check out IU Outdoor Adventures! They offer great day trips for IU students to go explore the outdoors. You can take the trips as part of a 1 credit course or sign up over breaks or other times trips are offered. Trips include all kinds of activities including hiking, mountain biking, skiing, canoeing, etc.
However, if you'd like to go exploring alone, there are some other options. You can go explore some local caves such as Shiloh Caves or take a day trip to see the Mammoth Cave System, which is the longest cave system known in the world! Some of our cohort mates go caving if that's something you're interested in. If caves aren't your thing, we've got lots of great parks and hiking locations nearby for those interested! Some of these include Turkey Run State Park, Shades State Park, and Cascades Park. Another close park is the Brown County State Park. People come from all over Indiana and neighboring states to enjoy the Brown County State Park and nearby Nashville, Indiana. The state park boast trails, camping, horseback riding, and more. It becomes an especially popular destination in the fall when the trees reach their peak autumn colors.
Lake Monroe is yet another popular location for Hoosiers at IU. It is the largest lake in Indiana and offers fishing, boating, hiking, kayaking, and more!
If you're a thrill seeker, you can also check out the Quarry! Although located on private property and therefore illegal to trespass on, many students choose to jump off the stacks off rocks in the warmer months! Warning: this can be dangerous. See link.
Another attraction is the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower located slightly outside of Bloomington!
Additionally, it is important to note how biker friendly Bloomington is! Bikers are definitely welcome on campus, in the surrounding area, and on the B Line Trail! Biking clubs are easy to find as well as running clubs, if you're interested in taking a jog around town!
Indy
Opportunities in Indianapolis are also present! Some popular choices include the Monon Trail and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The Monon links commercial districts, schools, parks, the state fairgrounds, and a dozen residential neighborhoods. The Trail – completed in 2003 – measures approximately 10.4 miles from 10th Street to 96th Street, where it connects with the 5.2-mile Monon Greenway in Carmel.
On the other hand, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail connects six cultural districts in Indy with public art projects, an 8 mile linear park, bike racks, and landscaping along the way! Check out the link for more information!
Another great location is the Indianapolis Canal Walk, which is a scenic leisurely walk through downtown Indy! The canal is used for IUPUI's annual Regatta, a kayak race between students!