Winter Hiking Guide for Brown County, Indiana: The Best Trails & Safety Tips
While it’s true that I like to hike year round, I’ve discovered a secret since moving to Brown County…the best time of year to hike is actually late fall through early spring (aka winter). I used to hate winter in Indiana, so past me would be stunned that I’m saying this.
Once temperatures drop and the leaves start to fall, not only can you see farther in the woods, but there are also fewer bugs to deal with (and spiderwebs to walk into). The winter version of Brown County’s woods are a truly magical sight that not everyone gets to behold, and it’s now an indisputable fact for me that winter hiking is the best.
What Makes a Hike One of the “Best” Winter Hikes?
So, since evangelizing about winter hiking has become a core part of my personality, I decided to compile and share a list of all my favorite winter hikes in Brown County, Indiana. While any of these hikes could technically be enjoyed year round, there are a few specific criteria I’m prioritizing for a trail to be designated as one of the “Best Winter Hikes”:
Accessibility: In general, the trails on this list are reachable via well-traveled roads. This means they tend to be cleared more quickly after inclement weather, which helps ensure safe, easy access.
Enhanced Views: Brown County is known for its hills, vistas, and long range views. But certain views are less visible in the height of summer, through dense leaves. Many of the trails I’ve included here have long range views that are revealed or enhanced in the winter months, after the leaves have fallen.
Smaller Crowds: In my opinion, some popular trails, particularly in the State Park, get too crowded to really enjoy during certain times of the year. But winter is a great time of year to explore popular trails, while still experiencing solitude.
Hopefully this has you excited for the magic of winter hiking! I can’t wait to share my favorite trails with you but first, let’s cover a few safety considerations…
Preparing for Winter Hiking - Safety First
Winter hiking can be truly magical, but it still requires some preparation to ensure your safety and comfort while on the trail. The specifics of winter hiking safety actually aren’t that different from year round hiking safety, but let’s cover a few important reminders:
Layers, Layers, Layers
Winter hiking comfort is all about temperature control, which means you need to master the art of layering and wearing appropriate fabrics. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to stay dry and comfortable. Then add a cozy insulating layer, like fleece or wool, to retain body heat and stay warm. For your final layer, choose something that’s waterproof and wind-resistant.
This combination allows you to adapt to changing temperatures and conditions throughout your hike. And here's a pro tip - zippered layers are a fantastic option that allow for quick temperature adjustments.
Don’t forget essentials like insulated, waterproof boots to keep your feet warm and dry, and high-quality gloves or mittens to protect your hands from the chill. Add a warm hat, insulated socks, and neck gaiter to you outfit and you’ll be ready to go.
Remember, you can always remove a layer if you get too warm, but you can't wear what you didn't bring! I just store all these winter essentials in my hiking hip pack so I’m always prepared, whatever the weather.
Hydration is (Still) Key
You might not feel as thirsty in the cold, but staying hydrated is just as important in winter. Carrying water might seem like a hassle, but your body will thank you.
Depending on the temperature outside and the length of your hike, there are a few special considerations to keep in mind to prevent your water from turning into an ice block while you’re on the trail:
If you plan to use a traditional hydration backpack, make sure to blow the water out of the line each time after you’re done drinking, otherwise the line will freeze.
If you’ll be carrying water bottles in a hip pack or backpack, you may consider switching to insulated water bottles for the winter months (or make the switch year round, since they keep water cooler in the summer as well).
You may also choose to pack herbal tea, or another warm drink, as a special treat on the trail that will warm you from the inside out. My favorite travel coffee mug fits perfectly in my hiking hip pack, and I love taking my coffee with me on cold morning hikes. Just be sure to also pack at least one other water bottle, since caffeinated drinks aren’t as hydrating.
Remember - winter air is dry, and dehydration can sneak up on you. So, make sure you’re taking regular drinks, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Stay hydrated, stay happy, and enjoy your hike!
Be Prepared
“Be Prepared” isn’t just a scout motto, it needs to be your mantra for winter hiking as well. There are a few things you should be sure to do before you leave for a winter hike:
Check the weather forecast - Indiana’s winter weather can surprise you, and the hills of Brown County do weird things to the paths of storm systems. So be prepared for whatever the forecast might bring.
Make sure you have enough layers and warm winter accessories with you to deal with any sudden temperature drops.
Familiarize yourself with the signs of hypothermia and frostbite – it's important to know what to do if you or your hiking buddy starts feeling too cold.
Pack some high-energy snacks (like nuts or energy bars), extra water, and a basic first aid kit, just in case.
Always let someone else know your plans, including where you’re going and your expected return time.
These might seem like simple things, but they can make a big difference in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Know Where You’re Going
Getting lost is no joke, especially in winter. Start your hike early to make the most of the daylight, and pack a reliable headlamp or flashlight, just in case.
The trails in winter can be tricky to navigate, especially after a recent snowfall, so a keen eye and careful steps are your best friends. As snow is compacted by other hikers, trails can quickly get slippery. Consider adding microspikes (like YakTrax) to your shoes for additional traction. Hiking poles can also help with balance and keeping your footing on snowy surfaces.
And, in the age of technology, don’t rely solely on your phone for navigation. Not only are there many areas of Brown County without reliable phone service - especially in the remote areas you’ll be hiking - but cold temperatures also drain battery life more quickly.
Screenshot or download off-line maps in advance, take pictures of maps posted at the trailhead or, better yet, pack a paper map for more complicated journeys. You might also want to add a battery booster pack to your packing list for longer hikes.
The Best Winter Hikes in Brown County, IN
I know that may have seemed like a lot, but being well-prepared will help ensure you stay safe and have the chance to enjoy a memorable adventure. So now, let's talk about the fun part! Here are my top picks for the best winter hikes in Brown County, Indiana.
For each of the hikes that I highlight below, I’ll share basic information about the trail (including what amenities are available at the trailhead - like parking and restrooms), as well as screenshots of the trail route and trail elevations from hikes I’ve completed and tracked in the app Strava.
Remember, I’m prioritizing accessibility, enhanced views, and smaller crowds with these picks:
Trail 10 at the Brown County State Park
| State Park Map | Trailhead Location | AllTrails Info |
Trail Basics: 2.4 miles - Loop - Rugged
Elevation Gain: 364 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 1 hour
Parking & Amenities: Gravel Lot; Fire Tower; Picnic Tables; Pit Toilets
Trail 10 at the Brown County State Park (or, as I call it, the Fire Tower Loop) starts near the Park Office and…you guessed it…the fire tower. It’s a moderately rugged loop that’s basically one long down and then back up, no matter which direction you choose to go. I always go right at the fork in the trail, and do the trail counterclockwise, but you can choose your own adventure here.
Why I Love This Trail in the Winter
The views along Trail 10 are definitely improved when the leaves are off the trees. You can easily see the difference in these two pictures, taken in basically the same spot, January vs May.
Also, this trail tends to get pretty muddy on the north side after any amount of rain, so it’s definitely more reliable (and less messy) when the ground is frozen in the winter.
Trail 9 at the Brown County State Park
| State Park Map | Trailhead Location | AllTrails Info |
Trail Basics: 3 miles - Loop - Moderate
Elevation Gain: 365 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Parking & Amenities: Paved Lot
The primary trailhead for this trail is located at the back of the Taylor Ridge Campground area. This loop travels along the ridgeline for a bit, before dropping down to follow a stream (that would be a great spot to spend a summer afternoon exploring).
While the park map classifies this trail as “rugged,” there’s really just one big down and then up in the middle of the loop. The rest of the trail isn’t very rough or tough to complete.
Why I Love This Trail in the Winter
This is definitely another instance where the long range views along this trail are just better without the leaves.
Due to the location of the trailhead, this specific trail is also a little more difficult to access during non-winter months. Campground access is limited to registered campers during the main camping season (spring to fall). However, you can also access this loop via Trail 11, a trail that splits off from the southwest corner of Ogle Lake, but it will add 5+ rugged miles to your hike.
Laura Hare Nature Preserve
| Trail Info & Map | Trailhead Location | AllTrails Info |
Trail Basics: Varies depending on trail - Loop - Rugged
Elevation Gain: Varies depending on trail
Approximate Time to Hike: 1-2 hours
Parking & Amenities: Gravel Lot
The Laura Hare Nature Preserve at Downey Hill is managed by the Sycamore Land Trust and has a 6 mile trail network with multiple looping paths to choose from. With the exception of the middle trail section, which follows an old road, I would classify this entire trail system as “rugged.” But the trails are well-maintained and the scenery is beautiful, so it’s definitely a location that’s worth checking out.
North Loop
Trail Basics: 2.95 miles - Loop - Rugged
Elevation Gain: 325 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 1 hour, 10 minutes
South Loop
Trail Basics: 3.6 miles - Loop - Rugged
Elevation Gain: 493 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Full Loop
Trail Basics: 5 miles - Loop - Rugged
Elevation Gain: 679 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 2 hours
Why I Love This Trail in the Winter
Much like the Brown County State Park, the Laura Hare Nature Preserve can get seriously BUSY during other parts of the year. The parking lot isn’t huge (maybe big enough for 6-8 cars) and they are strict about not parking alongside the road or outside the designated parking area. I’ve driven by here more than once on a spring or fall weekend where the lot is already full.
Winter is a great time to enjoy the extensive trail system at the Laura Hare Nature Preserve with fewer people and less risk of a packed parking lot that will force you to turn around and come back another time.
Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve - Upper Trail
| Trail Info & Map | Trailhead Location | AllTrails Info |
Trail Basics: 3 miles - Out & Back - Moderate
Elevation Gain: 515 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Parking & Amenities: Roadside Parking
The Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve is also managed by the Sycamore Land Trust. There are both upper and lower trail sections to explore, however these trail sections are not accessible from one another and have different parking areas. The upper trail section is an out-and-back trail that goes up to follow along a ridgeline, with some fantastic views (and the cutest bench) at the top.
This trail used to essentially cut through someone’s yard (with permission) but has recently been rerouted to avoid that section. I like this trail even more now with that change, because it was always confusing - and a little weird - to walk that close to someone’s house, even if there were signs clearly stating it was OK.
Why I Love This Trail in the Winter
The Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve trailheads are located near State Road 45, which means they’re relatively easy to access after winter weather events, even if other backroads are still iffy.
Also, the ridgeline views on the upper trail section are amazing in the winter, when the leaves are off the trees.
More of the Best Winter Hikes
If it’s just cold, and road conditions and icy surfaces aren’t a concern, then these are some other winter hiking favorites to keep in mind:
Scarce O’ Fat Ridge Trail at the Yellowwood State Forest
| State Forest Map | Trailhead Location | AllTrails Info |
Trail Basics: 5.2 miles - Loop - Rugged
Elevation Gain: 526 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 2 hours
Parking & Amenities: Gravel Lot
Ignore the weird, Brown County-esque name and just trust me that this is a good one! After you conquer the extremely steep incline at the beginning (it’s literally known as High King Hill), followed by another, you’ll mostly stay on a high ridge top for the remainder of the loop.
This loop is longer than most of the others I’ve included on this list and is a great option when you’ve got a little more time to spend.
Why I Love This Trail in the Winter
In addition to the ridgetop views along this trail, I also love looking out over Lake Yellowwood from the dam at the end…it’s just beautiful when it’s snowy or icy.
Prang Pond on the Tecumseh Trail
| Tecumseh Trail Map | Trailhead Location | AllTrails Info |
Trail Basics: 2.1 miles - Out & Back - Moderate
Elevation Gain: 306 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 55 min
Parking & Amenities: Gravel Lot
This is an out-and-back section along the Tecumseh Trail that you can make as long or short as you like, depending on how much time you have to spend.
If you coordinate dropping off another car before you start hiking, you could hike all the way through to the north end of Lake Yellowwood (approximately 5 miles) or even further.
It’s a relatively secluded section, without being in the middle of nowhere, so it’s honestly a great hiking option year round.
Why I Love This Trail in the Winter
Getting to this trailhead requires some backroads and gravel road driving, so don’t attempt it if the roads are too iffy. But, as long as the roads are safe, this trail is a great winter option, especially if there’s snow on the ground.
I’m not exactly sure why I love it so much in the winter. I think it has something to do with the icy pond or the way the hillsides look covered in snow…but I honestly don’t know.
Browning Mountain Trail
| Info on Browning Mountain | Trailhead Location | AllTrails Info |
Trail Basics: 1.9 miles - Out & Back - Moderate
Elevation Gain: 311 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 1 hour
Parking & Amenities: Roadside Parking
If you’ve ever heard anyone talk about “Indiana’s Stonehenge,” then you’ve heard of Browning Mountain. This trailhead is a bit of a drive to get to and is tucked away in the southern part of the county, past Story. But once you get there, it’s a great hike - especially with kids - with great views at the top, plus interesting rocks to climb and explore around.
You can either do the straight out-and-back trail to the stones, or do a longer loop trail around the top of the hill.
Why I Love This Trail in the Winter
I’ve hiked this trail 3 or 4 times and every time has been in the winter. Between the long range winter views, and the rock formations that are interesting year round, this is a no brainer for a list of “Best Winter Hikes in Brown County.”
Just keep in mind that it’s a long drive on the backroads, many of them gravel, so save this adventure for a day that the roads are clear.
Portion of Trail 8 at the Brown County State Park (Starting at the Tulip Tree Shelter)
| State Park Map | Trailhead Location | AllTrails Info |
Trail Basics: 2.5 miles - Loop - Moderate
Elevation Gain: 337 ft
Approximate Time to Hike: 1 hour
Parking & Amenities: Gravel Lot; Shelter House; Picnic Tables; Pit Toilets
Starting at the Tulip Tree Shelter area, I follow this loop counterclockwise so that I’m always going up the stairs near the end. Not only does this get my heart rate pumping every time, but it also means I come out near Hesitation Point and get to enjoy the views at the overlook while I finish catching my breath.
Technically, Trail 8 starts at the West Lookout Tower but, as I’ve already said, I prefer to start at the Tulip Tree Shelter area. This cuts a long straight section off the hike, making the overall hike about 1 mile shorter. The section of the trail I skip follows the road pretty closely, so it’s noisy and without much topographical interest.
Why I Love This Trail in the Winter
This trail traverses a lot of different terrain, including a really peaceful bottomland section and several creek crossings. Also, while it doesn’t look like it on the map, this trail comes very near the Hesitation Point overlook, and I love the view from this area in the winter. It’s normally a very busy overlook in the State Park, but your chances of experiencing it in solitude are much higher in the winter months.
NOTE: I do NOT recommend this trail if there’s been recent snowfall or the chance for icy conditions, because the long wooden staircase near the end can get really slick.
There was one time where I hiked this trail with my old dog after an ice storm…not only were the steps insanely slick (not easy for me or the old dog) but a tree had also fallen partway up the stairs and I had to wrestle myself and the dog through the limbs, over icy surfaces, to get to the top. I’ll never forget that experience, but not in a good way!
End of the Trail
Well, that’s a wrap on this guide to the best winter hikes in Brown County, Indiana! While many of the hikes I’ve covered here can be enjoyed year-round, there are certain things about each that can only truly be enjoyed in the winter.
So hopefully the details and pictures I’ve shared in this post will help you easily choose the trail you want to explore next! And if you’re looking for other ideas of what to do in the winter, while you’re in Brown County, be sure to check out this post next.
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