I've read some of the other reviews and I'm going to keep this review real...
If you live in and around Indianapolis like I do, this is a great park because:
1) It's the only one in or within 45 minutes of Indianapolis. The next closest one is Mounds in Anderson, and that's not as nice.
2) It's a very nice park with some great hiking, running, and biking trails, especially in an urban/suburban setting.
If you live a couple of hours from Indianapolis, you don't need to make a trip just to this park. This is not a destination park. Unless you live in a complete turd bowl, you probably have a park just as nice closer to you. In fact, even on the west side of Indianapolis you can go to Eagle Creek.
But if you live on the east side of Indianapolis, this is a great park. It's close, it has great trails, it's rarely crowded, it has lakes and a river, it's got wildlife. And did I say it's close?
As of late, my rural/small town girl self has been toying with living an extremely simplistic lifestyle like that of Walden. I was one of those kids who played colonial and pilgrim times complete with the costumes, handwashing dishes and accents. Thoreau had it all figured out - isolation, simplicity and living as a friend of Mama Nature. After driving by a cabin for rent near Trader's Point Creamery, I haven't been able to knock this thought of oasis and serenity from my mind.
Until I return one day to my "down-on-the-farm" ways or purchase a cabin in the woods, I'll be relying on places like Ft Harrison State Park and to catch my breath, listen to the silence and forage like my life depends on it. Yes, I said forage. Black walnuts to be exact. Ft Harrison is home to a ridiculously beautiful black walnut grove. We were a bit late to hit the true rush of dropping nuts (har har), but were still able to gather a substantial number.
In addition to black walnut gathering, we traipsed around the trails which beautifully wound their way through the woods with great views. Bikers and hikers alike were making their way on the trail. Fortunately for us, it was a bit on the muddy side so we were one of very few visitors. Just Jo, the walnuts and me.
I really enjoy having an annual pass to Ft.Ben. It's a great place to walk around with friends and escape on the beautiful trails. There are several different trails, some allow you to stay on a paved path while others take you deep into the woods. I love taking my dog on the trails when there aren't many people and letting her run around - you aren't technically supposed to do that but she always comes back when I call for her and I'm sure other people do it too :)
The park is well maintained and has several playgrounds, picnic tables, shelters, bathrooms and you can fish at the pond. I would encourage anyone to go check out this park. Unfortunately there is no camping at Fort Ben which is sad because it would be really fun to do with friends. Â
**Make sure you leave by 9 p.m ! I have been locked in the park before and had to drive around the gate. The park rangers typically drive around to check for people but  to make sure this doesn't happen to you make sure you are out before it closes.
Indianapolis: you have somewhere to escape! Â I headed to Ft. Ben to go mountain biking on their newly opened trail system (thanks to <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2FHMBA.org&s=30ca51dc7bcabbe460b07d479f43b9b829e383727833643713b07cd6b0641b98" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://HMBA.org</a>) and I was very impressed. Â The trails are very well-made and they take you through some beautiful areas to enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods. Â Fort Harrison is great habitat for wildlife, I came across many small animals and even some deer nesting. Â I also was amazed at how quiet it is for being so close to I-465... The prices are standard to all Indiana State Park rates ($5 drive in/$2 bike in) and you can go to the war museum to check out the fort's history. Â There are some nice areas to go sledding in the winter and fishing in Fall Creek is especially pretty in the fall. Â The new trail system is the reason I got an annual pass, it's very impressive. Â I'll soon be hitting the links here, too.
Indy: if this is your sanctuary, then I need some of that outdoorsy gospel to set me straight. Â See you on the trails.
I really like Fort Ben. I've been here three times in the past oh, month? I think it's time to buy the annual pass now.
I've only hiked/ hike-ran the Fall Creek Trail. It's pretty cool. It's wooded, and it runs alongside Fall Creek in some spots. There are some light-moderate hills and a few steps.
I've usually see woodpeckers in one area, and one time, I had to stop, as a family of raccoons climbed up in a tree by the trail- Very cool!
It was actually less busy on Memorial day than it was when I stopped by after work for a quick hike (there were a lot of high schoolers out running).
There are nice, wooded picnic areas, and there are other areas of the part, too, that I haven't had much chance of exploring.
There is horseback riding. There's a nicely paved  trail if you want to bike, run or skate, and this runs through the park.
I am a huge fan of this place...hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding etc, it's all great! You'd be silly not to check this place out. It cost $5, the standard Indiana State Park entrance fee, BUT if you're like me and you come here a lot (or want to) or go to other Indiana State Parks (or want to) invest in the $36 annual pass...gets you into ALL Indiana State Parks! Great if you camp too! Although there is NO camping here at Fort Ben.
Review Source:(Cross-posted to both Fort Harrison State Park listings.)
I live in Cincinnati, and one day I decided to take a solo trip somewhere nearby for a relaxing weekend. I looked at a lot of B&Bs within a three-hour radius of Cincy, but the ones in my price range were a little too far away, and the ones nearby were a little too expensive. Then I stumbled upon Fort Harrison.
I booked two nights at the Harrison House, which is very affordable and had charming photos on the website. What I didn't know was that it is not connected to the fort's main inn. It's down the street, by itself, just off the golf course. That was fine by me, although I do think I was the only person staying there the entire weekend. The House itself is charming and clean, a bit old-fashioned but with modern conveniences like the showers, televisions and Wi-Fi. There's also a little kitchen, which I didn't use but appreciated.
I'm really glad that staying on the Park grounds includes free admission, because I really enjoyed hiking the trails of Fort Harrison. I went by myself but felt quite safe both at dusk and the next day in early afternoon. The scenery was not terribly varied, but gorgeous nonetheless. I took many photos of the trees, the lakes, etc.
In short, I had a great time and would love to come back someday.
It's hard to believe this is in the city,(Technically it's in Lawrence.) but I'm glad it is. Lots of trails, both paved & not, a sledding hill, the answer to my searches about renting horses for trail riding-yes $21 a person for a guided 2.5 mile trail ride, a duck pond, a pond for fishing, a warfare museum, and lots of open green areas for $5. The day we went there were lots of bike riders & people walking dogs, so obviously this place is great for doing those activities as well. Lots of hills on some of the trails which could be great or daunting, depending on your point of view. Many picnic areas w/ grills and numerous restrooms. Several areas had nice playgrounds for kids.
Review Source:Ft. Harrison is an oasis I never expected to find in a rather urban area.
The 1700-acre state park has a nice variety of trails, including a beautiful 2.5-mile wooded, hilly hike with plenty of amazing wildflowers and foliage. There are some amazingly clean streams running through it, but beware: much of the long hike is on what seems to be a water path. Many parts are very wet and muddy, but it's still worth it.
My three dogs LOVE the area, and were especially excited to run with my wife when she went rollerblading on the super-smooth, wide trail.
Admission to the park yesterday was $5, but we were excited to see it was free this afternoon for some reason. We'll be back many times over, whether or not we have to pay. We used to live in Bloomington and go to Lake Griffey every day, and though Ft. Harrison is no Griffey, it's a nice foray into wilderness, only 20 minutes from Broad Ripple.
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