Dog walking in Mooresville

South Mooresville

In Morgan County, you don't have to go far to sniff out true wilderness. Rooker Park on the southern edge of Mooresville is still largely undeveloped, and this 18-acre city park along the banks on East Fork White Lick Creek is rich in wildlife (and a great place for summertime splashing). Farther south along Highway 67, the nonprofit Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve is ideal for peace and quiet; with no facilities, the preserve is just a few parking spaces and a long loop trail through 68 acres of protected forest, with spur trails available to add length. For both locations, be sure to bring waste bags, water, and a good leash.

South Center Street

Two furrific parks are located within a one-mile stretch of South Center Street in Plainfield, and you can be there in less than 10 minutes from Mooresville. The Bark Park at Swinford Park is a doggy daydream, so the small annual membership fee is a great investment. (Proof of vaccination is also required.) The two off-leash play areas are accessed by key card. The on-leash trails around Swinford also enhance your workout. To really work up a sweat, head south to Hummel Park, where a paved jogging trail circles the entire facility and parallels White Lick Creek. Additional paths wind among the athletic facilities. This dog-friendly park asks that your buddy stays on-leash and that you clean up after your pet.

Friendswood

The Soldalis Nature Park is less than 4 miles from Mooresville. In southern Plainfield next to Friendswood, this 210-acre park with a 5-acre pond gives your fur-family room to roam. You'll find 5 miles of hiking trails and a wildlife viewing platform where you might spot deer, rabbits, or wild turkeys (depending on how good your buddy is at quiet waiting). If you see a bat, even better: Sodalis Nature Park was created to protect the endangered Myotis sodalis Indiana bat species. If you need more trail, Southwestway Park is just a few miles east, providing another 210 acres of woods and meadow along the White River. The park's main attraction is its extensive trail network pawpular with hikers, bikers, equestrians, and of course, dogs. Since mountain bikes might catch your pup off guard, the park's regulars suggest skipping headphones during your walk.

Brown County State Park

At a whopping 16,000 acres, Brown County State Park is Indiana's largest and sometimes called the "Little Smokies" for its stunning mountain scenery. Park trails come in varied lengths and difficulties. The 0.5-mile interpretive Discovery Nature Trail works for any pup's stamina, even the little guys. For mountaintop views with athletic dogs, take on the rugged 2-mile Fire Tower Trail or 3-mile Taylor Ridge Trail. You can also download an audio tour of the Abe Mountain Lodge Hike and listen to local lore during your workout. If your buddy would rather ride than hike, the park features many scenic drives and picnic spots. Stop in the town of Nashville as you leave if Fido's been a very good boy. Bone Appetite Bakery on Van Buren Street sells handcrafted doggy delights; your pup will beg for more!