Indian Point Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

A great loop out to Indian Point Overlook with many lake views along the way.

Some parts of the trail can be affected by very high lake levels. Park staff has done a great job of posting any problems and clearing the trail after any flooding.

During busy weekends, there will be boaters out at the point and the half mile from the beach to the point could have more hikers.

The Pittsburg Campground Trailhead starts at the highest elevation. The trail leaves the amphitheater downhill as a nice singletrack through the hardwoods. At several points, it goes along the various lake coves with nice views to the lake. The surface varies from Ozark chert gravel to limestone bedrock and other areas that are on soft loamy deposits from high lake levels.

The trail then crosses the road to the beach and there is parking and a pit toilet there. From the beach, it is a half mile uphill along the ridge and then down to the point. Returning back from the point to the campground takes you up through woods with occasional glade openings.

The trail makes gradual ups and downs and weaves around the coves before climbing back up to the start. Arriving at the point by boat is another great option. If you access the trail from the point, you can end your run by jumping off the rock into the lake.

Nice hardwoods mixed with cedars and some open glades. Managing with some prescribed burns. Great blue herons, Eastern Pewees, Summer Tanagers, and Solitary Sandpipers.

The name of the trail obviously matches the shape of the point.