Address: 5753 Glenn Road, Indianapolis, In. 46216  Phone: (317) 591-0904                                               Park Hours: 7 A.M. to Dusk                                           Natural Resources Education Center: Curriculum based teacher training programs - 317-562-1338 or www.IN.gov/dnr/nrec                                           Size: 1700 Acres (at Post Road and 59th Street)     Recreation: Day use only (no camping) - Sledding hill, bicycles on paved Harrison Trace Trail only (no mountain biking), fishing, hiking, jogging.                 Restaurants: The Garrison Restaurant (northeast of the entrance of Fort Harrison State Park)            1-877-563-4371 or  www.indianainns.com              Best time to visit (for birders): April, May, September, October.                                                    Photo Tour: click on the button at the top-left side of this page.

                                             

Established as a state park in 1996, the park is still being developed in certain areas. From a birders perspective, the big attraction of Fort Harrison is the riparian habitat along Fall Creek. During spring and fall migration, birders hike Fall Creek Trail in search of migrating songbirds (warblers). Warblers seem to be drawn to the sound of rushing water. Spring rains often create stagnant pools of water adjacent to the creek. These stagnant pools breed insects, providing a plentiful food source for migrating songbirds. A treated wood boardwalk has been developed at the east end of Fall Creek Trail, providing a scenic overlook of Fall Creek. Bike-birders utilize the paved Harrison Trace Trail and main park roads. One can cover more ground in a shorter period of time on a bike, especially if you bird by ear. While Fort Harrison is the second largest park in the Indianapolis area, the habitat is limited to upland forest, riparian habitat along Fall Creek and shallow ravines. One would not want to visit this site for uncommon grassland species. Some sparrow species can be found at the woodland edge of the mowed picnic areas. For waterfowl, Delaware Lake and Duck Pond are available. While these lakes are small, I did find Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks on Delaware Lake (March of 2005). The only opportunity for shorebirds would be along the muddy banks of Fall Creek.

DIRECTIONS: From the ticket terminal at the Indianapolis International Airport, drive east, following the "To I-465/70 Indianapolis" arrow signs. Stay in the middle lane.  Follow the "I-465/To 70 East-Downtown" arrow sign.  Switch from the middle lane to the far left lane.  Follow the "To 70 East" arrow sign.  Drive east roughly 2 miles to the green overhead "I-70 East-Downtown Indianapolis" sign.  Veer right (south) at the "70 East/Indianapolis" exit sign.  When you see the Lilly skyscraper to your left (north), obey the green "70 East-Columbus Ohio" overhead arrow signs by driving in one of the left two lanes.  Veer right onto Exit 89/I-465/Shadeland Avenue.  While on Exit 89, stay in the far left lane.  Shadeland Avenue will split off right, while I-465 will continue straight.  While on I-465, stay in the left lane (I-465 North).  Look for the green "Exit 40/Shadeland Avenue/56th Street-1/4 mile" sign. Stay in the right lane.  Veer right (east) on Exit 40/Shadeland Avenue/56th Street.  Stay in the right lane on the Exit 40 ramp (56th Street Exit).  At the Exit 40 stop light, turn right (east) on 56th Street.  Drive east on 56th Street into the town of Lawrence.  Turn left (north) on Post Road/C.R. 9000 E. (roughly 2 miles east of I-465).   Drive north on Post Road for roughly 1/2 mile to the dead end/T-section (a cement "Fort Harrison State Park" sign will be on the north side of this T-section).  Turn left (west) on 59th Street.  This is the entrance road for Fort Harrison State Park.  After passing the entrance gate, turn right (north) at the brown "Fall Creek Trail/Cherry Tree/Delaware" arrow sign.  Drive northeast on this park road to the Delaware Recreation Area.  Turn left (west) into the Delaware Recreation Area parking lot [just past the Information billboard on the left - Delaware Lake will be visible to your right (east)].  At the northeast corner of the parking lot will be a "Fall Creek Trail/No vehicle" sign.  Follow this gravel trail and turn left (north) at the first trail T-section.  Follow this trail as it winds east along Fall Creek. 

If you desire a short hike, turn right (south) when you reach the large, treated wood frame with brown and yellow arrow signs.  You will be following the brown and yellow "Harrison Trace" arrow sign.  Hike south to the next foot trail T-section.  Turn right (south) at this T-section.  Walk roughly 100 yards to the paved Harrison Trace Trail.  Turn right (west) on Harrison Trace Trail.  Follow Harrison Trace Trail west, back to the Delaware Recreation Area parking lot. 

For a longer hike (2.5 miles), continue following Fall Creek Trail east.  Fall Creek Trail will eventually veer right (south) and merge with the paved Harrison Trace Trail.  Hike south on Harrison Trace Trail past Duck Pond.  Harrison Trace will then veer right (west) at the picnic area.  As you hike west on the south section of Harrison Trace Trail, you will see the golf course to your left (south).  Follow Harrison Trace Trail west, back to the Delaware Recreation Area.

For a photo tour of Fort Harrison, click the button at the top-left side of this page.