Indiana Winter Adventures

Indiana experiences its most wintry winters between January and March. As the snow falls and temperatures drop, it becomes the perfect time to experience some of Indiana’s most fabulous winter adventures. This state has some of the most epic winter sports and fun, from sledding hills to toboggan runs. When you think you know of all the “spots,” a new one that might be new to you pops up. Check out my ultimate guide and list of Indiana’s best-of-the-best winter adventures, and try something new this year!

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The epic Indiana toboggan run

The Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run in Steuben County is a thrilling experience for all ages. The refrigerated toboggan run is a 30-foot tower with a 90-foot course with a vertical drop and can reach speeds up to 42 mph. The toboggan run is open seasonally from November through the end of February.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through Indiana

• In addition to the toboggan run, Pokagon State Park offers cross-country skiing. Rentals for skis, boots, poles, and even snowshoes are available at the Warming Station. There are three trails for skiers of all levels, and they are open when there is at least 6 inches of snow on the ground.
• Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter provides cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Glenwood Dunes Trails and Tolleston Dunes Trail when there is 4-6 inches of snow. Visitors must bring their snowshoes and skis. Free snowshoe rentals are available at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environment Education for use on the Paul H. Douglas Trail.
• St. Patrick’s County Park in South Bend provides 6 miles of cross-country skiing trails through March. The park also offers ski and snowshoe rentals, lessons, and special Night Skiing nights.
• Skiing trails can be found at various locations in Fort Wayne, including Fox Island, Metea County Park, ACRES Nature Preserves, and Headwaters Park.
• Cross Country Skiing trails are available at Chain O’ Lakes, Fort Harrison, Ouabache, Potato Creek, Salamonie Lake, Summit Lake, and Tippecanoe River, among other state parks.

Snow Tubing in Indiana

These six Indiana locations offer the best snow tubing options in the state. Check each location for hours, admission, rules, and guidelines.

• Baugo Creek County Park in South Bend
• Koteewi Run in Noblesville
• Paoli Peaks in Paoli
• Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg
• Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty 
• St. Patrick’s County Park in South Bend

Ice skate in the great outdoors

List of outdoor ice skating rinks in Indiana; check individual locations for hours and admission.

• Dickmann Town Center Rink, Anderson
• Penguin Park at Murphy Aquatic Park, Avon
• The Ice At Carter Green, Carmel
• Eagles Ice Rink, Columbia City
• Bulldog Park, Crown Point
• Deep River Water Park, Crown Point
• NIBCO Water & Ice Park, Elkhart
• Headwater Park, Fort Wayne
• Elevance Health Rink on Bicentennial Unity Plaza, Indianapolis
• Holliday Park, Indianapolis
• Jeffersonville Ice Skating Rink, Jeffersonville
• The Frozen Sandlot, Kokomo
• Winterfest Skating Rink, Lawrence
• Howard Park Ice Trail and Pond, South Bend
• Central Park Plaza Ice Rink, Valparaiso
• Ice Ribbon Skating Rink, Westfield
• Riverside Skating Center, West Lafayette

Indiana’s best sledding hills

Indiana is home to many sledding hills, perfect for a winter day of fun. Who says Indiana is completely “flat!?” You will find a great sledding hill regardless of your skill level. So bundle up, grab your sled, and head to the slopes!

Here are a few of the best:

• Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton
• Freedom Park, Greenwood
• Ellenberger Park, Indianapolis
• Fishers Heritage Park at White River, Fishers
• Flat Fork Creek Park, Fishers
• Hamilton Hills Church, Fishers
• Pine Valley Sledding Hill, Fort Wayne
• Riley Park, Greenfield
• Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis
• Paul Ruster Park, Indianapolis
• Jimmy Nash City Park, Martinsville
• George Wilson Park, Mishawaka
• Sledding Hill on Thompson Dr., Nappanee
• Southeastway Park, New Palestine
• Forest Park, Noblesville
• Countryside Park, Portage
• Slayter Center for the Performing Art, West Lafayette

Curling on the Canal

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail recently introduced a free winter curling activity available from December through March. Two curling rinks are located in Vermont St. Plaza- West (414 W. Vermont St.) and south of the American College of Sports Medicine Fitness Garden in Indianapolis. Curling on the Canal is Indianapolis’ first and only synthetic ice curling rink, which is open to the public and FREE.

If you don’t know how to curl, there are free drop-in Curling Clinics every Sunday afternoon. The rinks are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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