Looking for a weekend trip not too far from Chicago? Turkey Run State Park is a great choice. It is less than 3 hours from Chicago with the some of best scenery in the Midwest. It is the perfect destination for sunshine, dogs and some hiking.
Itinerary – Turkey Run State Park
Below is a quick recap of what we did! We hope it helps while planning your next trip to Turkey Run State Park. Here are the basics, the next section will go into more details and we will share our own experience hiking at Turkey Run.
- Took 47 to the main entrance | fee to enter
- Parked near the Nature Center/Olympic Size pool
- Walked to the suspension bridge | located behind the nature center
- We started with trail 3 | noted on map as very rugged trail
- Then we walked up Rocky Hollow | very rugged terrain
- Walked up through Punch Bowl | dead end with a water fall
- Got onto trail 4 | noted on map as moderate/rugged.
- Followed signs for trail 8
- Turned onto trail 1 to get back to the car
Detailed Itinerary & our thoughts:
We entered through the park’s entrance – paid the $9.00 entrance fee for non-residents and followed the signs to the Nature Center/Olympic Park.
We immediately notice lots of people (and dogs) sitting and enjoying the nature.
We arrived around 2pm on a Friday and there were plenty of parking spots available. It was a crowded hike, so we’d anticipate that the parking areas get crowded on the weekends/during peak times.
First step: walk towards the suspension bridge which is located right behind the Nature Center.
There are a few paths entry ways behind the Nature Center but they should all get you to the suspension bridge – just make sure you are heading in that direction.
Story time/Learning Moment – we brought our dogs with us on this trip. This was the first state park we visited of the weekend and were a bit flustered from the traveling + the amount of people at the suspension bridge.
I (Olive) also realized I am terribly afraid of suspension bridges. So once we got off the bridge we just started walking anticipating we were on trail 10 which is labeled as rugged.
Next thing we know we are faced with Rocky Hollow which is a waterfall/creek part of the terrain that you hike up to continue on trail 3 or then turn onto trail 4. I (Olive) looked at Fern and said “let’s just do it”.
It was HARD but in our opinion, so worth it (not sure if the dogs feel the same).
This was such a fun and unexpected part of our hike. Take a lesson from us – make sure you read the signage if you are trying to avoid turning around and/or hiking through Rocky Hollow.
Yes! We made it to the top of Rocky Hollow! We felt so accomplished.
There was a small dead end waterfall called Punch Bowl that we peaked into before deciding our next move. The option was continue on trail 3 or turn onto trail 4.
We decided to take trail 4 which was walking through a creek which was pretty dried up during our visit and then turned into a easier terrain leading us to the Narrows Covered Bridge.
Of course, we had another decision to make once we made it to the bridge – continue onto trail 4 that followed along the river that would lead us back to the suspension bridge or cross the river and take trail 1 back to the nature center.
As mentioned above, I (Olive) was terrified of that bridge. It was narrow with a lot of people and constantly moving. It was an easy decision for us to cross the river at the bridge and take trail 1 back.
ROSE + THORN
This is where we share our favorite (Rose) and not so favorite (Thorn) parts of the Nature Escape.
| ROSE | THORN |
| Fern – Trail #3 | Fern – The suspension bridge was crowded and stressful with my dog |
| Olive – Trail #3 + Rocky Hollow. Very scary, very fun. | Olive – Suspension bridge too, except because I found out I am absolutely terrified of suspension bridges. |
Check out pictures from the day!
My parents used to live in Indiana for a time. If I get to travel there again, I’ll have to check out this trip to Turkey Run. It looks like a great outdoor weekend. Your pictures are awesome!
Turkey Run State Park looks amazing! I’m always excited about the suspension bridges – there’s something adventurous about them!
Looks like a great choice for a weekend outdoor trip from Chicago! I love suspension bridges and waterfalls. This has both. I have not been to Chicago yet but when I do, I am definitely doing this trip. 🙂
What a beautiful looking hike. Although I discovered in Nepal, I too am absolutely terrified of suspension bridges, lol. Should be in Chicago later this year, so saving this post for ideas when I need to escape the city.
Oh fun! I would have had a hard time with that suspension bridge too! Glad you made it ok – Turkey Run looks like a great place to visit when I get to Indiana.
When we visited Chicago we stayed in the city the whole time. So great to know that on a return visit we can head out of town and visit Turkey Run State Park. You had a very busy day especially with all the rugged trails you hiked. I would certainly want to hike and see the suspension bridge. Good thing that I am not afraid of heights!