Hiking

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If you don’t think every day is a good day – try missing a few. You’ll see.

You can create beautiful things – but you have to see them in your mind first. A beautiful little sunset.

Let’s make some happy little clouds in our world. The man who does the best job is the one who is happy at his job. Just make a decision and let it go.

Maybe there’s a happy little Evergreen that lives here.

Little short strokes. It all happens automatically. We must be quiet, soft and gentle. Only eight colors that you need.

You should get a pass!

This is an area for a call to action for things related to the topic, like donations, etc. or purchasing a pass.

LOCATION:

7840 West 56th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46254

CONTACT:

317-327-7110

ECPF@eaglecreekpark.org

HOURS:

Open Dawn to Dusk

Monday-Sunday 7:00am-8:30pm EST

WEBSITE:

EagleCreekPark.Org

Additional content goes here that is specific to the topic.

Special rules, regulations, and so forth.

 

If you don’t think every day is a good day – try missing a few. You’ll see.

You can create beautiful things – but you have to see them in your mind first. A beautiful little sunset.

Let’s make some happy little clouds in our world. The man who does the best job is the one who is happy at his job. Just make a decision and let it go.

Maybe there’s a happy little Evergreen that lives here.

ADD RELATED CONTENT BY CATEGORY BELOW

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Dock your boat at the Marina at Eagle Creek Park.

Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Get in the water at the Boat Ramp at Eagle Creek Park.

Causeway

Causeway

About the 56th Street Causeway at Eagle Creek Park.

Trails

TRAILS

View of reservoir from CofferDam Trail

SUPPORT THE TRAILS

Whether you love the Red Trail, West Side Hiking Trail, or ADA paths, Eagle Creek Park’s Trail Crew is responsible for maintaining them.

Donations to the Trail Fund are used exclusively for trail maintenance and can only be invested in the trails at Eagle Creek Park.

The Eagle Creek Park Foundation oversees and ensures all funds are dedicated solely to trail upkeep or expansion.

 

Learn More > 

In partnership with Indy Parks

For Eagle Creek programs, please visit this Indy Parks page.

Plan your adventure

TRAIL SAFETY

NO MOTOR VEHICLES

No motor vehicles of any kind are allowed on the running and hiking trails. This includes cars, trucks, SUV’s, motorcycles, ATV’s, or any other form of transportation that uses a motor. 

NO bicycles, etc.

The hiking and running trails are for hiking and running. No bicycles, scooters, skateboards or other modes of wheeled transportation are allowed on the trails. There are specific bike paths for  bicycles.

IF YOU GET LOST . . .

Use one of the handy trail maps below to plan your visit in advance. Feel free to print it out and keep it with you, as paper never runs out of batteries. If you are lost, contact Ranger Assistance at 317-327-3811.

ADA ACCESSIBILITY

The West Side Trail project includes two ADA-accessible trails,

pedestrian bridges and scenic overlooks.

East Side Trails

The East Side of Eagle Creek Park contains the majority of the park trails, amenities, and both nature centers. The East Side can be thought of as the “main park”

West Side Trails

The West Side Trail Complex was completed in 2024. The park’s West Side contains the Eagle Creek Golf Course, Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve, and Starling Nature Preserve. Though less traveled, the West Side offers two ADA trails, a 5-mile through stunning canopy.

ADOPT A TRAIL

Your donation helps support Eagle Creek Park Foundation’s mission to Promote, Protect, Preserve and Enhance Eagle Creek Park!

Explore Top Hikes on

Top Hikes East Side

Check out which trails All Trails users like most on the East Side of Eagle Creek Park.

Waterfowl Sanctuary (Cofferdam) Loop

2.4 mi (easy)

Red Trail Loop

6.75 mi (moderate)

Top Hikes West Side

Check out which trails All Trails users like most on the West Side of Eagle Creek Park.

Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary

ADA accessible 0.6 mi (easy)

Scott Starling via Eagle’s Crest Loop

1.9 mi (easy)

DOWNLOAD TRAIL MAPS

PARK TRAIL MAP

RUNNING COURSE MAP

WEST SIDE HIKING TRAILS

ORNITHOLOGY CENTER TREE MAP

EARTH DISCOVERY CENTER TRAILS

FISHING MAP

STATE NATURE PRESERVES

GREENWAYS MAP

DONATE

Your donation helps support Eagle Creek Park Foundation's mission to Promote, Protect, Preserve and Enhance Eagle Creek Park!

West Side Hiking Trails

WEST SIDE HIKING TRAILS

Members on West Side Hiking Trail

TRAILHEAD ACCESS

Eagle’s Crest

7201 Fishback Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46278

Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary

8245 Wilson Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46278

Bear Overlook

8600 W. 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46234

 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDY PARKS

For Eagle Creek programs, please visit this Indy Parks page.

About the West Side Hiking Trail

Eagle Creek Park’s west side, a hidden gem since its 1972 opening, gained prominence during the 1987 Pan Am Games, where archery was hosted near Eagle’s Crest.

Today, visitors can explore three ADA-accessible trails, two nature preserves (Eagle’s Crest and Starling), and the scenic 5-mile trunk trail that stretches from north to south.

The main trail provides a peaceful escape under a lush canopy, offering a serene retreat from everyday life.

We hope park goers find time and space on Eagle Creek’s West Side Hiking Trails to relax, unwind, and connect with nature.

Read more about the trail

The West Side Hiking Trail project, first envisioned by John Pankhurst in the 1980s, was included in the 1997 Eagle Creek Park strategic plan. In 2014, the Eagle Creek Park Foundation voted to move forward with securing funding for the trails. After years of planning and fundraising, a $2.6 million Lilly Endowment grant in 2018 brought the vision to life. Trail construction began in 2019 and continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, with completion of the trunk trail and the ADA loops by 2022. By 2024, final additions, including automatic gates, signage, and a dedicated podcast, were introduced.

Wander on the West Side

ADA TRAILS

The West Side Trail Complex features 3 ADA-compliant trails.

Scott Starling Nature Preserve

Explore this gallery of images taken of the scenery and migratory birds from the nature preserve – via the ADA Starling Trail.

Exploring the West Side Hiking Trail

Foundation Members stop in a massive tulip grove in the northwest portion of the West Side Hiking trail. Marty Risch, former park ranger, environmental scientist, and life-long lover of Eagle Creek Park teaches members about the amazing ecology through which the trail cuts.

Listen to the Trailer Episode

John Pankhurst lays out the scope of Season one of Nature Notes. He’s the Director Emerita of the Eagle Creek Park Foundation and self-proclaimed “Chief Sheepdog”. John is one of central figures behind the entire West Side trail project.

Foundation Podcast

Eagle Creek Nature Notes
The podcast helps you plan your next adventure to Eagle Creek Park.

Season One of our podcast, Eagle Creek Nature Notes, is now available! This season is dedicated to the West Side of Eagle Creek Park and was made possible by funding from the West Side Trail grant.

DOWNLOAD TRAIL MAPS

PARK TRAIL MAP

RUNNING COURSE MAP

WEST SIDE HIKING TRAILS

ORNITHOLOGY CENTER TREE MAP

EARTH DISCOVERY CENTER TRAILS

FISHING MAP

STATE NATURE PRESERVES

GREENWAYS MAP