HomeIndianaSchererville › Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve

Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 69 Google reviews · Running trail in Schererville, Indiana · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
75 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Mixed75 miLoopScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Park featuring easy-to-follow trails for walking and kid-friendly hikes.

What runners say about Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (69 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Beautiful wildflowers and deers made the walk this morning even better.”

Tiny nature preserve but nice this time of year. Great place for a quick walk in the forest. Beautiful wildflowers and deers made the walk this morning even better.

★★★★★ — Daniel , Jul 2019

A very Grounding Experience. Walking Barefoot. Came from Phoenix, Arizona. A Wonderful Place, got acclimated to Desert heat. 105 is the new 85. Don't worry you don't shovel DRY HEAT. A wonderful place, Hoosier Prairie. I can see why the REGION is becoming a destination for most FOLKS?😊

★★★★★ — Raymond , Aug 2023

Nice, albiet short hike. The whole loop takes about 20 minutes if you're going slow.

★★★★☆ — Robert , Mar 2023

Visited recently with the kiddos. The fall colors were just starting to show. Beautiful scenery and clear walking trails. You can pickup a brochure at sign-in station for little insights on each trail marker.

★★★★★ — Amanda , Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 69 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“Beautiful wildflowers and deers made the walk this morning even better.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Great place to walk the dogs or just go nature watching.”

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🔁 Loop trail

“The whole loop takes about 20 minutes if you're going slow.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible

“Warning- not handicapped accessible.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

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🛣️ Paved surface

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🪵 Boardwalk

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🚰 Water fountains

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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Plan your run at Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Loop distance75 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitenature.org
  • Phone+1 219-981-9183
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 9 am–5 pm
Tuesday 9 am–5 pm
Wednesday 9 am–5 pm
Thursday 9 am–5 pm
Friday 9 am–5 pm
Saturday 9 am–5 pm
Sunday 9 am–5 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve

135 E Main St, Schererville, IN 46375

Get directions

Running trails near Schererville

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Erie Lackawanna Trail - Griffith

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Popular trail for walking and bike rides (from Hammond to Crown Point).

1.4 miles away

Peter G Redar Memorial Park

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Athletic fields & courts, green space, a playground & amphitheater draw locals to this urban park.

2.1 miles away

Teibel Nature Park

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All running trails in Schererville, IN →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.