State Parks in India: Captivating Facilities of Fort Harrison State Park

Indianapolis is a place known for cyberculture, speedway, and sports like basketball, but it also offers a fair share of rural areas and nature fields.

In the northeast part of Indianapolis, you would find a 1700-acre field; it was a military base converted to a park after the base realignment and closure commission (BRAC), showcasing a combination of classic, nature, and history. Up from numerous hiking and biking tracks, down to a cozy lodge, a golf resort, and a historical museum with a view that would captivate your hearts, especially during springtime. It offers various activities to keep you entertained even during freezing times, unlike any other national forest closed during winter.

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Best Guide to Fort Harrison State Park

Traversing to distant places like (FH’s) field in Indianapolis without any proper guide might cause nuisance, so to save time, money, and effort and to seize your adventure. 

We have prepared a review on what to expect in visiting (FH’s) field that might help you plan your tours well. 

How to get there

The field’s entrance is at 59th and Post Road. Upon arrival, there’s gate personnel that will guide you around.

Best Features of Fort Harrison

Credits to: IS

Fort Harrison National Forest is located in Indianapolis, and it is a closure commission product after the closure of Fort Benjamin. It is for day use only, meaning: they don’t accommodate night boardings. However, there’s an Inn inside, where you could stay overnight or for a couple of days. 

But despite being a day-use field, (FH) offers various attractions and activities that would make your visit worthwhile. 

The following are some of the popular features of (FH’s) in Indianapolis, based on the reviews of other campers:

(FH’s) DOG PARK INDIANAPOLIS

Credits to Visit Indiana (VS) 

Yes, you read it right! Unlike most state parks, dogs are allowed in this field. They offer a dog field where you can hang out with your pets. However, there are some rules and regulations that you must consider.

How to get there

The dog field is not accessible through (FH) ‘s main entrance; You could only access it by driving towards 8725 Fall Creek Road on the northside (FH).

The great thing about this is, it’s separated from the main field, so it would not disturb any visitor’s activities inside the state parks or vice versa.  

Dog play areas in (FH’s) Park, Indianapolis

This dog field in Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis, has three separate play areas divided by fences. These play areas are great spots for pet owners who love nature. 

1. Platoon Run

Features and amenities:

• It is the closest play area to Fall Creek Road.
• Approximately 3.6 acres
• All sizes of dogs are accepted.
• Trees and woods shade some areas with occasional benches.
• Drinking water is available at the water station.
• There’s a waste station within the play area.
• There’s also an available shelter and fireplace that you could use while visiting with your pets. 
• Agility equipment is also available. 

2. Herrin Hill 

Features and amenities:

• It is the middle play area in the dog field.
• It is approximately 1.3 acres. 
• All sizes of dogs are accepted.
• It is an open grass area with occasional trees. 
• A water station is also available. 
• You could also spot some benches in the area.
• A waste station is also available.

3. Brigade Landing

Features and amenities:

• It is approximately 5 acres. 
• There’s also a pond and a beach in this area.
• All sizes of dogs are accepted. 
• Here, your dogs could also enjoy a wooded adventure area.

Reminders:

• This play area opens only from April 1 to October 31. 
• The pond and the beach here are for dogs only! You are not allowed to fish or swim in the stated area.
• For dogs’ safety, closure of this play area may occur at any time of the year due to exceeding blue-green algae levels. 

Dog park access

• A single pass could access all three play areas.
• One pass per dog policy
• Year-long pass- $75
• Weekly pass- $15 (Valid for 7days) 
• Passes are available at the gate of the dog field. 
• Payment methods could be Cash, Credit, or debit cards. 
• Passes are valid from January 1 to December 31. 
• Vaccination records are required. 

(FH) NATIONAL FOREST INN INDIANAPOLIS

Credits to Agoda

(FH’s) Inn and golf resort in Indiana are traces of Indianapolis’ history. It is a combination of the past and the present that features the beauty of its landscapes and its old-but-modern buildings and facilities that would give you home-like comfort. Now, join us to discover why FH is considered a hidden gem of Indiana. 

Property Features

• Fitness Center – Far from the usual hotels in a rural area like Indianapolis, this hotel offers a workout room or gym that you could use during your stay. 

Credits to Agoda

• Meeting rooms and conference facilities – These cozy hotels in Indianapolis could cater to events and parties in their Meeting and Conference rooms. 

• Front desk – to give you the best hospitality experience while staying in these hotels, they offer a 24-hour front desk. 

•  Picnic shelter– so if you prefer fresh air to the coldness of aircon, here you could chill and relax outside at some tables, chairs or benches.
• Outdoor fireplace – of course, a fireplace is essential, especially during the cold and freezing season. And there’s a fireplace outside the hotels. 
• Free parking – Upon visiting, they offer free parking space for your car or RV. 
• Free wi-fi: This is one of the field’s present time features in terms of modernization. Some people travel to escape the city and technology, but some find it essential on their getaway or vacation.
• Breakfast included: You would have access to their buffet every morning during your stay in these hotels. 
• Vending machines – available vending machines that you could find within the hotels. 

Room types and features

1. Deluxe King Suite

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2. King Suite

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3. Deluxe King Room

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4. Queen Room with Two Queen Beds

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5. Honeymoon Suite

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6. King Room

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7. Deluxe Queen Room with Two Queen Beds

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8. Queen Suite

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(FH) GOLF COURSE

Credits to Indiana DNR

The Fort Harrison State Park’s Golf course is one of Indianapolis’s finest public golf courses. 

From a 238-acre of natural view, it became an 18

hole championship-like golf course that makes it the most prominent feature of the whole field. 

The golf resort features quality practice areas and a golf equipment shop; they also offer golf instruction, especially for visitors who want to learn golf.

(FH) NATIONAL PARK SADDLE BARN

Credits to (IN) Department of Natural Resources

If you want to have a horseback riding experience within the field’s vicinity, then you might want to visit this area.
Inside Fort Harrison State Park, you would find a saddle barn that offers camper rides, pony rides, and hayrides every weekend from April to October.

The Garrison Restaurant

Credits to (IN) Department of Natural Resources

This cozy restaurant, located within the parking area near the (FH’s) Hotel in Indianapolis, offers a wide selection of dishes at their buffet and has excellent and friendly staff. Based on the reviews of other visitors; The place is nearly lovely, clean, and cozy.

(FH) NATIONAL FOREST’S DELAWARE LAKE, INDIANAPOLIS

Credits to Indiana Department of Natural Resources

It is 9 acres of the lake inside Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. Near the field’s Inn is a habitat of different fish species such as; Bluegill readers, Channel catfish, sunfish, largemouth bass, longear sunfish, green sunfish, and rainbow trout that you could catch while fishing.   

Operation Hours: 7:00 AM to dusk

Amenities:  It has restrooms, walking tracks, a pavilion, and a fishing pier.

Reminder: A valid fishing license is a must for anglers18 and older. Tip: There’s also a beautiful picnic spot on the side of the lake.

MUSEUM OF 20th CENTURY WARFARE IN (FH) STATE PARK

Credits to India DNR

BEST HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS IN (FH) NATIONAL PARK IN INDIANAPOLIS

While visiting other sites in (FH), you might also want to stop at the Museum of 20th Century Warfare located within the area of (FH) in Indianapolis, close to the field’s hotel. The Gallery exhibits the lives and history of the soldiers who once marched on old (FH) ‘s grounds. (FH) one of the gems found in the state is just minutes from home for many visitors who need contact with nature.

The Gallery is in building 711 at the historic camp Glenn part of the field. The Museum of 20th-century warfare showcases the fort’s artifacts, technology, and the 20th-century soldiers and their uniforms; the exhibit also includes a 14-foot or 4.3 meters model of the USA Indianapolis. 

Entering this Museum is free; the fee would only be at the main entrance of (FH).

Credits to: AMI

 

Fort Harrison State Park offers not just one but six trails! It is home to different kinds, including biking tracks, hiking traces, forest, kid-friendly, and pet-friendly tracks perfect for nature lovers. 

Are you a first-timer? Don’t worry; there are three manageable levels that you could start with; these tracks range from 1.1 to 2.7 miles, 751 to 849 feet above sea level.

Join us as we reveal each detail of this place’s best trails based on satisfied hikers’ reviews.

1. Camp Creek and Fall Creek in Trails Loop

Credits to All trails (AT)

Credits to AT

Credits to AT

The Camp Creek and Fall Creek Loop, located within (FH’s) field in Indianapolis, Indiana, offers 4.3km of the heavily trafficked loop. Rated as a manageable level track, but still a perfect course for all skill levels. 

It is a dog-friendly trace; you could hike it with your dogs; however, it must be on a leash. You could access it year-round and offer different sceneries and activities per season. 

You could start from the Delaware lake parking lot to fall creek for approximately 1.1 miles if you like. 

You could see an elevated part of the track, the boardwalk, which overlooks that river. Then, you would see a small hill with a staircase. 

You would see a picnic table at the summit that you could use; you could stay there to rest and enjoy the whole creek and forest scenery. 

Reminder: you could spot occasional deers, and that’s normal.

2. Lawrence Creek Trail

Credits to AT

Credits to AT

Lawrence Creek is a 7.2-kilometer loop located within (FH’s) field areas in Indianapolis. Featuring majestic views of wildflowers and dried leaves during the spring and fall season. We recommended visiting Lawrence Creek every April to September to enjoy your hiking fully. 

Rated as a moderate track, which means; this might be harder for first-timers. Dogs are also allowed on this track, but with restrictions. 

3. Schoen Creek Trail

Credits to AT

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Schoen Creek is located within (FH’s) field in Indianapolis, offers a 5.0-kilometer loop track primarily used for hiking and mountain biking. It has a scenic view of nature and a forest vibe setting. 

It is considered a moderate level, so starting with other easy-level tracks is better if you are a newbie.

Dogs are allowed on this track too!

4. Fort Benjamin Harrison MTB Loop

Credits to AT

Credits to AT

It is a 12.4 kilometers track located within the areas of (FH) ‘s field in Indianapolis, offers a moderately trafficked loop, and is also rated as an intermediate level to witness the painting-like view of wildflowers and dried leaves within Indianapolis. The best time to visit this is from May to September. 

5. Harrison Trace Trail

Credits to AT

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Here’s another easy-level track. Harrison Trace is a 3.9 kilometer located in Indianapolis, offers a moderately trafficked loop. 

Like Camp Creek, this also features a lake within. It is an excellent starter for a newbie; you could hike, walk, run or use a road bike. 

Bird watching is also a unique but relaxing experience that you could do here; the field is accessible all year round. 

Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

6. Tree Line track

Credits to AT

Credits to AT

Credits to AT

Treeline trail is the third most comfortable level, where it encompasses a 1.8-kilometer course that offers a moderately trafficked loop usually used for walking, hiking, track running, and even nature trips. 

If you want to experience wildlife while hiking, this is the place.

To fully experience what this area offers, you could visit from March to November.

Hiking essentials

If you are a hiker, especially a newbie, then you might wonder what equipment that you would need on a daytime hike, so to save you from forgetting those essential things; 

We have here a checklist of the types of equipment that you would need on a daytime hike:

• A comfortable hiking backpack
• Appropriate clothing depends on the weather.
• Comfortable hiking boots or shoes
• Trail snack (Anything that gives you energy) 
• Own water bottles. 
• Maps and compass
• First-aid kit (in case of emergency)
• Knife or multi-tool that you could use along the hike.

Travel Essentials for your RV

Frequent tours to different exciting states are entertaining but may cause some hassle. So if you don’t want to ruin your excitement with some minimal problems like- humid weather, we listed so many appliances and equipment for your RV that you might consider changing.

RV Air conditioner-Frequent tours during the summer season can cause uneasiness. The humid weather may interrupt your fun, so to fully enjoy your tours, we recommend getting the best RV air conditioner for your camper. 

RV GPS– Who doesn’t want to save time and effort? No one! So to avoid the hassle of getting lost, we recommend you get the best RV GPS that could help you quickly find your destinations. 

RV Humidifier– For a comfortable trip, and a well-ventilated RV, I recommend getting the best RV Humidifier for your camper. 

RV Toilet Paper–  choosing the Best RV Toilet Paper that’s compatible with your RV would save you from the hassle of clogged waste systems. 

Rv Sofa Bed– to have a comfortable sleep during your tour, especially if you are going to a remote area, we recommend getting the Best RV sofa bed and Mattress.

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FAQS and Information

Pet Rules and Regulations

Some state parks allow you to bring your pets with you, including (FH). However; there are rules that you have to consider: 

1. Weight: Dogs and cats that weigh up to 75lbs are allowed. Pet-friendly rooms or cabins are designated at all state parks in Indianapolis, which pet owners could use. 
2. Fee: It would cost $25 per night. 
3. Any damages should be shouldered accordingly by the pet owner(s) (An extra cleaning fee might need)
4. They only allow two pets per room. 
5. Pets are not allowed in public spaces such as meeting rooms, conference rooms, or lodges. (Pet-friendly rooms for pets and their pet owners are accessible) 
6. Pet owners must leash on their dogs or cats, especially when going out of their respective rooms. 
7. Owners should never leave their pets unattended.
8. You need to present your pets with proof of vaccinations.
9. Pets are not allowed in restaurants, dining halls, buffets, Beaches, recreational buildings, pools, lakes, and other aquatic sites.

Fishing License rules and regulations

Valid Fishing License

The following are the things that you should consider in getting a fishing license in Indiana:

1. To acquire a fishing license, you must be 18 years old and above. 
2. The IndianaC is the one that issues valid licenses; needed if you are going to fish on public lakes, rivers, or streams of Indiana.
3. You would need to provide either a printed copy or an electronic copy of your license, and you must carry it with you. 
4. A penalty will charge when caught fishing without a license.
5. They will revoke your license once you violate any fish and wildlife regulations. 
6. You could buy a license in different ways:

• you could contact them through Call – (317) 232-4200
• You could visit Indiana’s official website to buy a fishing license.
• You could see their customer service center personally at Indiana Government Center South, 402 W. Washington St., Room W160, Indianapolis, Indiana State 46204. Open from 8 AM to 4 AM Mondays to Fridays.

License Exemptions

The fishing license is not required if:

1. You are an Indiana State resident born before April 1, 1943; you must provide a valid ID to verify your age and residency.
2. You are under 18 years old (Resident or non-resident) 
3. Suppose you are a legally blind resident. You would need to bring proof of being lawfully blind while fishing. 
4. You are a resident of a state-owned rehabilitation facility. 
5. You are a resident of any of Indiana’s licensed health care facilities.
6. You are a resident with a developmental disability. 
7. You are fishing in a private pond. However, you must have permission from the owner. 
8. You are a resident of Indiana State that engaged in full-time military service during your approved military leave. You must bring a valid registration card or a valid driver’s license.

Emergency Hotlines

Here is some vital information that you could use whenever there’s an emergency:

• Emergency 

911

• Indiana Metropolitan Police 

  317-327-3282 (Available 24/7)

• US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

  301-443-1240 (Available 24/7)

• Office of Food Security & Emergency Preparedness program

800-333-1284 (Technical Service Center)

317-290-3350 (Program Investigations)

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

  317-639-3301 (Indianapolis District Office)

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Conclusion

The base realignment and closure commission lead to what (FH) is today, and it is proof that the place is not just about technology and sports, but it has indeed plenty of places and activities that would keep you entertained; having a quick

a tour of this place would expose you to different aspects of life and nature with a glimpse of its history.

We hope that through this article we have given you ideas of what this place has to offer, and we also hope that we have provided 

 the details you needed in planning for tours.