Red Trail

Dogs Leashed

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

I enjoy running this trail but watch out for MUD and ROOTS! Some of the areas near the rowing center and Earth Discovery Center can get very muddy.

Eagle Creek Park does an amazing job of maintaining their trails and marking them clearly!

Starting near the 56th Street entrance and moving to the east, the trail takes you toward the Indianapolis Rowing Club HQ. From there, you traverse a small peninsula before moving back into the woods and passing the Earth Discovery Center (a wonderful stop of educational opportunities and exploration!) From there, the trail takes you toward the marina.

The next part of the trail is really exciting with a modestly steep drop in elevation before you head out on a narrow strip of land that surrounds a bird sanctuary. Lots of people like to hang out on this strip of land to fish. Sometimes the water level is so high that the southern strip of land can be nearly submerged. Once you complete the loop around the Bird Sanctuary, the trail climbs in elevation to the top of a BEAUTIFUL overlook through a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees. at this point, you start to turn to the southeast and head toward the 71st Street entrance. At this gate, there is a restroom should you need a break.

From here, the trail takes you along the fitness trail (large/wide/flat) before swinging by the Ornithology Center. Stop by to take a look at the gorgeous hawks! Then, the trail takes you to Lily Lake (great picnic spot) with another restroom opportunity. Moving south, you'll cross 62nd Street and head toward the ice skating pond. Just south of the pond, you'll go back into a deeper wooded area near the main road that runs north-south through the park (Eagle Creek Parkway). The trail ends at the parking lot where you began (and another restroom facility).