Indiana’s Soon-to-Be Longest Recreational Trail Adds More Miles

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that more miles are now open on the Monon South Trail—which follows the path of a century-old historical railroad.

After a cold and snowy winter, I imagine many of us are already looking forward to the changing of the seasons. In recent years, spring has become one of my favorites. It's a time of renewal and rebirth, when plants sprout and animals emerge from hibernation. Plus, the grass is literally a little greener. There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy in Indiana this spring, and if hiking a long trail isn't on your list for 2025, now's the perfect time to add it.

The Creation of the Monon South Trail

The Monon South Trail follows the path of the Monon Railroad, also known as the Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville Railway. This railroad operated primarily in Indiana from the 1890s until 1971, when it merged with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Today, it is owned by CSX, and while the trail isn't directly affiliated with the railroad, it does include one of the seven sections along the line. Specifically, this trail encompasses a portion of Section 5, which connected Bloomington and New Albany.

Construction of Monon South Trail began in 2024 and is funded through a grant from the Next Level Trails fund, administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Once completed, this mega greenway will stretch 62.3 miles between Mitchell and the Clark/Floyd County border. It will be the largest recreational trail in the entire state of Indiana, connecting eight local communities in the Lawrence, Orange, Washington, and Clark counties uplands region of southern Indiana.

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Visiting the Monon South Trail

The Indiana DNR opened the first section in Orleans in December, and an additional 2.4 miles in Mitchell were officially opened last week for the public to enjoy. More sections are scheduled to open later this year. While walking, biking, or running along the greenway, Hoosiers will be able to enjoy plenty of beautiful scenery and nearby state parks. Personally, this is something I'm very excited about. It will be a great place for families to create lasting memories for generations to come.