Avoid the crowds: Observe fall colors off the beaten path in southern Indiana

The hills of southern Indiana are changing colors to hues of yellow, orange or red. While hordes of people will crowd the streets of Nashville and other Brown County destinations, there are plenty of other sites for local folks to enjoy the autumn sights.

Marion Mason, a public affairs specialist with the Hoosier National Forest, said Indiana's national forest covers more than 204,000 acres in nine counties. The Hoosier is mostly in the southern part of the state where it's hillier, offering more scenic overlook.

Having seen weather that's warmer and drier than average so far this fall could mean area leaf colors are less brilliant this year, but Mason believes the changing of the seasons is still worth viewing. Leaves change with cool nights and warm days. (Check out more about the science behind it at https://bit.ly/3b1EaXH.)

"It may be a little bit later. It may be a little less color. But we are still going to have fall foliage," Mason said. 

The leaves have already turned on some trees, such as sassafras, black gum and sour wood. Leaves on different tree species change color at different times in the fall, Mason explained. Some of the last to change will be the oaks, one of the predominant species in the Hoosier National Forest. 

"Leaves tend to change at different times. They are constantly changing over the next couple weeks," Mason said, adding first colors appear along the edges of the forest and then later in the interior. Most leaves will have changed color, dried to a crispy brown or dropped off by Halloween or a few days later.

While the national forest offers acres of woods and trails, Mason urges anyone who ventures out to be aware that leaves will also cover the trail, making it more difficult to find the paths in and out of areas. She suggests people carry a reference map to track their location and to keep track of the trail. 

A word of warning: Some areas in the Hoosier National Forest do not have good cellphone signal coverage.

Mason also suggests having a backup location to visit in case your first choice is crowded and no parking is available. 

Leaf peeping in the Hoosier National Forest

One of the most popular viewing locations, especially in the fall, is Hickory Ridge Fire Tower in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness just south of Lake Monroe. It has the forest's best vantage point for a panoramic view of the tops of trees. The busiest times are weekends, so Mason suggests going in the morning or on weekdays, when it's less crowded.

Another area Mason recommends for fall colors is Fork Ridge Trail, a 3.5-mile route designated just for hiking. The trail is in Jackson County and when the leaves start to fall off the trees, vistas looking out over the trail open up, Mason said.

Along the Ohio River, Buzzard Roost overlook has great fall views as well. The overlook gives visitors a chance to look over the forest, Mason said.

The Hoosier National Forest falls within a designated Ohio River Scenic Byway, with a portion of old Ind. 66 traversing through the forest from Tell City on the west to near Corydon on the east. 

Even if people aren't able to travel to these prime areas, Mason recommended finding a trail somewhere in the forest over the next couple of weeks to enjoy the fall colors. "You can see the fall colors on any of the trails we have."

Another way to view the fall foliage could be by boat. The boat ramp at Hardin Ridge Recreation Area on the south side of Lake Monroe is open for use, although the beach is closed. There is a $5 per day fee for vehicles and an Indiana launch permit is required for launching boats on Lake Monroe. Watercraft can offer a different, less crowded view.

If you prefer to be on dry land while viewing a lake surrounded by fall colors, Spring Valley Lake, Indian Lake and Celina Lake all have trails for hiking and viewing. 

Other areas to explore

Even in Brown County there are sites where the public can view fall foliage that aren't well known. The Nature Conservancy's Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve is just north of Nashville at 996 Freeman Ridge Road. A 3-mile trail built with help from the Hoosier Hikers Council takes visitors on a rugged path through the 484-acre property that has ridgetops to view the colors in the steep ravines below. 

Another preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy that's worth visiting is Green's Bluff, which is south of Spencer near the end of County Road 75 E. The preserve has sandstone cliffs, a hemlock forest and a creek that flows through the 1,134-acre site. The North Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long and is rugged. Raccoon Woods Trail is 1.4 miles and is a more moderate hike that winds in and out of ravines and through a woods with oak, beech and hickory trees. The two trails have different starting points with parking areas for five vehicles at each trailhead.

Also in Owen County is McCormick's Creek State Park, with more than 10 miles of hiking trails that lead into Wolf Cave Nature Preserve, along the White River and around the falls near Canyon Inn. The fire tower has been restored and offers a view above the trees.

For people venturing farther out, Cataract Falls, part of Leiber State Recreation Area in northern Owen County, has the largest waterfall by volume in the state. People can view the lower and upper falls along Mill Creek.

Railroad enthusiasts will enjoy the observation deck near Tulip Trestle, also known as the Greene County Viaduct, on County Road 480 E northeast of Bloomfield. Two picnic tables offer a place to sit or picnic while waiting for a train to cross the nearby span that's 2,295 feet long and 157 feet tall. It's the largest railroad viaduct in Indiana and is used by Indiana Rail Road Co.

Head a little north and east from the trestle to find the Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum, at 6754 N. Tree Farm Road. Visitors can take a self-guided walk along the trails to view not only the sculptures but also the fall colors. The trails are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Dogs are not allowed and no one is permitted to climb on the sculptures. The museum has a form on its website, sculpturetrails.com, that it asks groups to fill out and also gives guidelines for all visitors.

If you're looking for a Greene County place to visit before or after the sculpture museum, stop by Yoho General Store, at 10043 E. Tulip Road in Solsberry. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served there every day except Sunday. Homemade pies, ham and bean soup and sandwiches are on the menu.

For people looking for something farther south, Spring Mill State Park, at 3333 E. Ind. 60 near Mitchell, has acres of wooded hills and valleys to explore, including the Pioneer Village, with 20 historic buildings restored to the way they would have looked in the year 1863. 

A word of caution

While venturing out to hike trails during the fall is an enjoyable activity, please be aware that deer hunters may be out in the same woods. Archery season runs through Jan. 2 and firearms season will be Nov. 13-25. 

Hunting seasons for many other species, including wild turkey, are also underway.

Anyone hiking on or along state and federal properties, other than state parks, may want to wear hunter orange clothing to be sure a hunter doesn't mistake them for wild game.

Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com, 812-331-4359 or @ckugler on Twitter.