Hikes, Bikes & Paddles - Fort Wayne Outdoor Pass

Mengerson Nature Reserve - ACRES Land Trust

Park at 5895 Stellhorn Rd. to hike this 1 mile loop. This urban preserve plays an important role in providing sanctuary for plants and animals and can be enjoyed at an easy to moderate difficulty level. Visitors will see different stages of forest succession, from an open meadow with stands of hawthorn and gray dogwood trees to a mature forest of sugar maple, beech, oak, and shagbark and shellbark hickory trees. The trails at this forested wetland are often muddy, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Dogs are welcome, on leash and under your control at all times.

Bicentennial Woods - ACRES Land Trust

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Park at 340 E. Shoaff Rd. to begin your hike along this 2-mile loop that has a high degree of difficulty. This nature preserve is part of the Cedar Creek Corridor, the largest forested corridor in the region. It hosts mature forests that are uncommon in our region with some of its oak trees dating back to the Civil War. You will see various woodland birds and Spring wildflowers that call this preserve home. Dogs are welcome, on leash and under your control at all times.

Cedar Creek Parks Trail

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Ride along this 5.3-mile paved path, finished in 2025! Start at the Leo-Grabill Sports Complex parking lot in the heart of Grabill, IN, then ride west on Hosler Rd to beautiful Metea County Park. Jog south down Halter Rd, then West on Hursh Rd to reach Metea County Park North trailhead. Stretch your legs with a hike through Metea's wooded trails, before heading back toward Grabill. Stop at the Grabill Country store, a local Amish grocery store, and The Country Shoppes of Grabill to browse antiques, a local cafe, and locally made products. At this point, you're just a two-minute bike ride back to the Leo-Grabill Sports Complex parking lot, so you don't have far to carry any purchases you made at the shops!

Towpath Trail: Eagle Marsh To Rockhill Park

Start at the Towpath Trailhead on Statesman's Way off of Engle Road.
Begin this bike route by crossing Engle Road to the trailhead and follow the trail northeast to Rockhill Park. This is a very flat bicycle ride with only a few but very slight elevation gains. If 8.5 miles seems too daunting, consider starting your ride at the trailhead on Glendale Rd at Smith Rd (located southeast of Canterbury School) to reduce your round trip to 6 miles. There are restrooms and a drinking fountain available at Rockhill Park. Rockhill Park is also equipped with a basketball court, baseball field, small playground, interpretive signage, and picnic tables. The Towpath trailhead also has a pavilion with picnic tables and a portable restroom.

The primary point of interest on this route is Eagle Marsh, the country's largest urban inland wetland restoration project. You can not ride your bikes in the Marsh but there are bike racks to lock up your bike while taking a nature hike. This whole route includes a lot of boardwalks and wetlands. Great for nature viewing and birding. You can also take your car to enjoy nearby Fox Island for scenic hiking.

Shoaff's Mighty Portage

This is a shuttle version of the Shoaff Park Paddle, available through Fort Wayne Outfitters. Park at Fort Wayne Outfitters in Promenade Park and they will shuttle you to Shoaff Park to begin your paddle. As the name implies, there is a portage around the dam at Johnny Appleseed Park, but it is a pretty easy portage to make with cement steps for access. Low Head dams like these are very dangerous and a paddler should NEVER attempt to paddle over the dam. Use the concrete steps upstream of the dam on river right to portage approximately 550 feet to the concrete steps below the dam. The paddle ends at Promenade Park and is approximately 6 river miles and will take the average paddler 2.5 – 3 hours.

Shoaff Park To Johnny Appleseed Park

Ride the almost 2 mile loop around the perimeter of Shoaff Park and then cool off at the splash pad on the northwest side of the park. Enjoy all that Shoaff Park has to offer: splash pad, golf, Frisbee/disc golf, pavilion, playground, basketball, tennis and boating, open areas for football, soccer, or simply flying a kite. Restrooms and water fountains are located near the splash pad. Extend this route by turning onto the St Joseph Pathway to ride 3 miles down to Johnny Appleseed Park. The Trail follows an old feeder canal that was once a water roadway. On your way to the park, right after you cross the bridge onto Purdue Fort Wayne stop and check out the Native Tree Walk, sensory garden, and public art on campus. PFW also has picnic tables available. Once you reach Johnny Appleseed Park, observe the water tumbling past the observation deck, and find Johnny Appleseed's final resting place atop a hill down the parkway off of Parnell Ave. Johnny Appleseed also has restrooms and picnic tables.

Shoaff Park Paddle

Park at the Mayhew Public Access site at the Mayhew Road Bridge on the St. Joseph River. Head southwest on this lovely paddle approximately 4 river miles downstream to Shoaff Park. This 4 mile paddle will take you 1.5 hours to go down stream and another 2 hours or so back up stream. It will take you through forested river banks with the occasional glimpse of a house or golf course to remind you that you are in a city along this peaceful stretch of water trail.

Salomon Farm Park Hiking Trail

Follow this scenic trail south to explore the south half of Salomon Farm Park hiking along Beckett's Run Creek. Along the trail, you'll pass a covered bridge, a creek, new growth forest, prairie, and meadows. For an extended hike, you can follow the 1.7 mile loop around the farm. Restrooms are available at the Learning Center. Salomon Farm Park offers families an opportunity to explore a living history farm in an urban setting.

Rivergreenway South: Foster Park To Tillman Park

Turn onto Park Drive from Old Mill Road. Follow this back along the golf course, past the pavilion, to park at the second set of tennis courts. Start your bike ride down the St. Marys Pathway, south along the river through Foster Park, under the Airport Expressway Overpass, then the Lower Huntington Road Overpass, to Tillman Park.

This is a relatively flat route with only a few slight elevation gains (uphill out, downhill back). If 8 miles seems too challenging, you can always park near the baseball diamonds off Hartman Road on the southside of Foster Park in order to reduce your round trip mileage to 6 miles. There are restrooms and drinking fountains in both Foster Park and Tillman Park. Foster Park is also equipped with a large playground, tennis courts, an award winning flower garden, baseball diamonds, golf course, and pavilion. Tillman Park is equipped with a small playground, tennis courts, softball diamonds, frisbee golf, and green space.

NEARBY THINGS TO DO
Stop at Historic Chief Richardville's House near Foster Park. On your return, why not cool off with a visit to the 07 Pub, Crescendo Cafe, LaFogata or Hall's Original Drive-In? All are located just north of Foster Park. Or take a quick trip down the Poka Bache Connector to the Stand for some ice-cream.

Pufferbelly Trail: Salomon Farm Excursion

Park at the Parkview Family YMCA to start your route near the Pufferbelly trailhead. To complete the loop around Salomon Farm, go north on the Pufferbelly trailhead. After exploring the 2.5 mile Salomon Farm trail loop, take the Pufferbelly trail south to find a sweet treat waiting at Cookie Cottage! They offer enough refreshment to make the 4-mile return trip back. Points of interest along the trail include Smith Field, a historic airfield. Look for the "whistle stop" just south of Wallen Road (a rock marker with a W on it). There are also 2 interpretive signs north of Dupont Road. The YMCA at the Pufferbelly Trailhead has a large playground, restrooms, and picnic tables. Salomon Farm Park offers families an opportunity to explore a living history farm in an urban setting.

Metea County Park: South Trail Route

Entry to Metea Park is $3/person 7+. The Metea Park South Loop is fun for all skill levels and features woodlands and wetlands. Explore the undeveloped North Trail on the other side of Cedar Creek for a more rugged experience. Visit the Nature Center on site for restrooms, information, and gift shop and enjoy the other amenities on the property such as a swimming beach, picnic shelters, and grills.

Maumee River And Downtown Exploration

If you brought your own kayak, you can put in at Guldin Park Public Access Site Ramp at Van Buren Street and Michaels Avenue just upstream from Promenade Park. If you’d like to rent a kayak, start at Fort Wayne Outfitters in Promenade Park. Head east downstream and follow the Maumee River to the Hosey Dam. Turn around at the Dam and make the 2-mile paddle back for a fun and quick adventure on the river as you pass beautiful Lakeside Park and experience the variety of urban and rural scenery.

Lindenwood Nature Preserve: Trail Of Reflection Loop

The Trail of Reflection Loop is an easy and beautiful hike to a reflection pond surrounded by tall trees and lush foliage. The path from the trailhead to the pond is wheelchair and stroller accessible, but can be rough in some parts.

Lindenwood Nature Preserve is a 110-acre dedicated nature preserve featuring 4 hiking trails of varying length, a pond, the Nuthatch Nook bird observation area, and an open-air pavilion. Hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, picnicking, and just relaxing are a few of the activities you'll enjoy at the preserve. Admission is free. Sorry, no dogs or bikes allowed in the nature preserve. Free guided hikes are offered at 10am on the first Saturday of each month.

NEARBY THINGS TO DO
Jefferson Pointe Outdoor Shopping Center is just a short drive from the Lindenwood Nature Preserve and offers shopping, dining, a movie theatre, and more.

Johnny's Rope Swing Adventure

If you brought your own kayak, you can put in at Guldin Park Public Access Site Ramp at Van Buren Street and Michaels Avenue just upstream from Promenade Park. If you’d like to rent a kayak, start at Fort Wayne Outfitters in Promenade Park. Paddle downstream on the St. Marys to the confluence where our three rivers meet then upstream on the St. Joe past Stevie’s Island, a local favorite hangout for paddlers, to end at the boat ramp at Johnny Appleseed Park before the dam. The total trip is approximately 3.7 miles one way. Along the way you will pass by The Deck at the Gashouse, a local eatery that also has a pier if you want to stop for a bite to eat on the banks of the St. Mary’s River; the Historic Old Fort which is a replica of the original Fort Wayne built under command of Major John Whistler in 1816; Headwaters Park; and the Dr. Martin Luther King Bridge. This paddle will take you approximately 3 - 4 hours round trip.

Johnny Appleseed Park To Promenade Park

Park at Johnny Appleseed Park off of Coliseum Blvd and ride the 4 miles along the St. Joseph river to Promenade Park in downtown Fort Wayne. Along the route, you can stop at Northside Park off of State Blvd or Lakeside Park off of Lake Ave. Once you near downtown, you can enjoy the Historic Old Fort, Lawton Park, Science Central, and Headwaters Park, just before you cross the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge - a Fort Wayne landmark vibrantly lit at night time. While at Promenade Park on the riverfront, you’ll want to visit the Kid’s Canal, the treetop canopy trail, accessible playground, Ted's Snack Bar for a bite to eat, and much more. Restrooms and drinking fountains are available at both Promenade Park and Johnny Appleseed Park.

Hurshtown Reservoir Hike

For entry, Automobiles are $4 and Walk-in/Bike-in is $0.50/per person. Open May - October, Hurshtown Reservoir is known as a top fishing spot in Allen County. Hike the 2.75 mile walking path around the reservoir and find areas for picnics, an outdoor volleyball space, and row boat and kayak rentals.

Franke Park Hike

Once you arrive at Franke Park, follow Park Drive to the north end of the park (past the Zoo) to 3411 Sherman Blvd Parking lot. Start at the trailhead marked "East Loop Start." The Shoaff Lake, Terry's Turn and Soap Box Derby Hill Loop is a 3.5 mile loop trail that winds near the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo and Shoaff Lake, used for hiking as well as mountain biking. Franke Park maps about 10 miles of trails in total, so explore their trail map while you're there. There are three different trails on the park map rated as easy (green), moderate (yellow) and hard (red). The green trail is 5.3 miles, the yellow trail is 3.7 miles and the red trail is 1.4 miles. These are multi-use, dirt trails - so be alert for mountain bikers. You can find restrooms and picnic tables available near the Franke Park playground.

Eagle Marsh Loop

Park at Eagle Marsh's gravel lot on the south side of Engle Road next to the Towpath Trailhead Parking lot. Walk down the drive to Eagle Marsh's barn and follow Trail 6 south along the Graham McCulloch Ditch. Loop back along the railroad tracks and tree line for a lightly trafficked loop trail that takes hikers around Eagle Marsh and offers the chance to see wildlife. Additional trails wind through the Marsh for added scenery and varied trail difficulty, so take a look at their trail map to extend your hike.

Dustin, Johnson, And Whitehurst Nature Preserve Loop

Park at the Preserve's red barn at 1922 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN.
Located 30 minutes north of downtown Fort Wayne. Open from dawn to dusk year-round, this loop trail starts at the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve. This 1-mile trail takes visitors through three nature preserves in the Cedar Creek Corridor. The trail may be muddy depending on weather conditions, so come prepared! This 88-acre property is part of the largest forested corridor remaining in Allen County, providing critical habitat for wildlife, including river otters and bald eagles. While visiting this protected habitat, please stay on the trail. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leash. Foot traffic only. The southwest portion of this trail follows a bluff 80 feet over Cedar Creek, one of the only three designated Indiana Natural, Scenic and Recreational Rivers. The trail winds through meadows and woodlands, passing a wetland filled in springtime with horned bladderwort and the call of spring peepers.
Restrooms are available Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ACRES office located south of the loop trail.

Downtown Walking Tour

Take this self-guided, urban walking tour and explore the most popular sites of downtown Fort Wayne, both new and historic (about 1 hour and 15 minutes if walked straight through). Visit museums, shops, restaurants, and parks along the way and end your tour with a bird's eye view of the city from Conner's Rooftop and Bar on top of the Hampton Inn next to Parkview Field. Park in the Allen County Library parking lot off South Harrison Street across from the Fort Wayne Visitors Center for $2/hour or $7 for the day.

Curly's Suspension Bridge

If you brought your own kayak, you can put in at Guldin Park Public Access Site Ramp at Van Buren Street and Michaels Avenue just upstream from Promenade Park. If you’d like to rent a kayak, start at Fort Wayne Outfitters in Promenade Park. Paddle up the St. Marys River to Foster Park. Along the approximately 4 mile paddle you will get to see beautiful Foster Park and a Suspension Bridge, Curly's Village Inn, a Fort Wayne staple for over 40 years, Swinney Park, an amazing view of Fort Wayne's skyline, Guldin Park, and the Historic Wells Street Walking Bridge. This paddle will take you approximately 4-5 hours to go there and back.

Daryl B. Cobin Memorial Park To Kreager Park

Start in eastern Fort Wayne at Daryl B. Cobin Memorial Park and follow the trail spur located next to Coliseum Blvd off the parking lot to the Maumee Pathway. Head east on the trail to the North River Road Trailhead. Continue to follow the trail east past the N. River Rd Trailhead and Boat Launch to the trail spur to Kreager Park which is home to Taylor's Dream Boundless Playground. Follow the trail northwest to the playground. Taylor's Dream Boundless Playground has restrooms, a drinking fountain, and picnic areas. Kreager Park has walking trails, softball diamonds and soccer fields. The ride from Coliseum Blvd. is relatively flat with a few gradual inclines. This section of trail is prone to flooding so make sure that it is open before planning your trip by visiting this webpage. Extend your ride to an 11 mile round trip from Daryl Cobin Memorial Park to New Haven's Moser Park and back.

Hikes, Bikes & Paddles - Fort Wayne Outdoor Pass

Expiration: 3 years after purchase

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