The best walks and hikes around Goshen

Yes, many trails in the Goshen area are great for walking with a dog. Ox Bow County Park is a popular choice, offering numerous well-marked trails where you can walk your leashed dog. The park's varied landscape of woodlands and river paths provides plenty of new sights and smells for your canine companion.

For a simple and engaging walk with the family, the Mount Sequoyah Woods loop is an excellent option. It's a straightforward loop through a wooded park. Another great spot is Fidler Pond Park, which features a 1.5-mile crushed-stone track around an 80-acre pond, perfect for little legs.

While the immediate Goshen area is known more for its rivers and wetlands, you can find some man-made waterfalls at Bonneyville Mill County Park. It's a short drive away and offers seven miles of trails that wind through woodlands and along the Little Elkhart River, making it a worthwhile trip for those seeking the sound of cascading water.

Absolutely. Goshen has several enjoyable loop trails. The Lake Sequoyah Shoreline Trail loop offers a pleasant walk around the lake. For a slightly longer but still easy loop, consider the Clear Creek – Fayetteville Lake loop, which provides a relaxing waterside experience.

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is a 16.5-mile path built on a former railroad line connecting Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana. It's a unique cultural and natural experience, passing through scenic woodlands, wetlands, and farmland in the heart of a large Amish community. The surface is a mix of asphalt and packed limestone, making it suitable for both hiking and biking.

The Millrace Trail is the perfect choice for a riverside walk. This 2.75-mile crushed-stone path follows a historic hydraulic canal and offers lovely views of the Elkhart River. It's a great place for wildlife spotting, with chances to see turtles, ducks, and herons. You can find more information on the Visit Elkhart County website.

The terrain around Goshen primarily consists of gentle hills and flat greenways, so you won't find strenuous mountain climbs. Most routes are rated easy or moderate. For a bit more of a challenge, you could explore the seven miles of trails at Bonneyville Mill County Park or tackle a longer section of the 16.5-mile Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.

Hiking in Goshen is enjoyable year-round, but each season offers a different experience. Spring brings wildflowers and budding trees. Summer is lush and green, perfect for enjoying the shade of wooded trails. Autumn is particularly beautiful, with vibrant fall foliage along the riverbanks and through the parks. Winter offers quiet, crisp walks, though trails may be snowy or icy.

Most of the trails within Goshen's city parks, like the Millrace Trail and paths in Abshire Park, are free to access. However, some larger county parks, such as Ox Bow County Park and Bonneyville Mill County Park, may have a small entrance fee per vehicle. It's always a good idea to check the specific park's policy before you go.

The diverse habitats around Goshen, from wetlands and rivers to forests and prairies, support a variety of wildlife. Along the Millrace Trail and in Shoup-Parsons Woods, keep an eye out for herons, ducks, muskrats, and turtles. The woodlands and prairies in parks like Abshire Park and Ox Bow County Park are great for birdwatching and spotting deer or other small mammals.

The trails around Goshen are highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the well-maintained paths, especially along the greenways, and the peaceful, scenic beauty of the riverside and woodland routes. The accessibility and variety of easy-to-moderate trails make it a favorite for relaxing walks and family outings.