Week 7 | No. 4 Ohio State at No. 5 Indiana | Saturday, Oct. 17 | Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | 12 p.m. ET | FOX
Indiana has won 22 games in a row, owns the national championship trophy, and is hosting Ohio State in Bloomington with both teams ranked in the top five. The last time these two met, the Hoosiers upset the Buckeyes 13-10 in the Big Ten title game, ending Ohio State’s unbeaten season.
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Now the 5-1 Buckeyes are coming back as 3.5-point favorites against an undefeated Indiana team that has plenty to prove all over again.
I’m biased on this one.
Sure, I went to the University of Tennessee. But Indiana is my home state, and I grew up spending my summers on Lake Monroe. But Southern Indiana in mid-October — with the hills lit up in red and gold — is hard to beat.
Bloomington sits right in the middle of it. Brown County, in particular, is a little slice of heaven.
Let’s get into it.
About 40 minutes from Memorial Stadium | $7 per vehicle with Indiana plates, $15 out of state | Easy to moderate
Indiana’s largest state park covers roughly 16,000 acres of rugged hills and ridges, and people call it the “Little Smokies” for a reason. Hike to a scenic overlook like Hesitation Point, climb the fire tower, or just drive the park roads and pull off at the viewpoints if you’d rather stay warm.
The park gets busy on peak foliage weekends and the entrance can back up, so get there early. Nashville, Ind., is right outside the gate, which makes it easy to turn this into a full day.
About 25 minutes from Memorial Stadium | $7 per vehicle with Indiana plates, $15 out of state | Easy to moderate
Indiana’s first state park is also home to one of the few waterfalls in a state not exactly known for them. The Wolf Cave Trail is a roughly 2-mile moderate loop through a wooded nature preserve to a small cave, rated 4.6 stars across more than 1,200 AllTrails reviews. If you’re short on time, the waterfall is just a short, easy walk from Trail 3. It’s the closest of the big state parks to Bloomington, which makes it a good fit for a shorter window.
About 30 minutes from Memorial Stadium | Moderate
The 110-foot Hickory Ridge Fire Tower has 133 steps and is open to climb, with views over the forest and Lake Monroe.
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It’s the last fire tower standing in Hoosier National Forest. The surrounding Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Indiana’s only wilderness area, covers nearly 13,000 acres and about 36 miles of trails.
About 6 miles from campus | Canoe or kayak rental from about $42 for four hours, plus a state entrance fee
Indiana’s largest lake is nearly 11,000 acres, and in October the fall color reflects right off the water. Lake Monroe Boat Rental at Paynetown State Recreation Area rents canoes and kayaks that seat one or two people for $41.73 for four hours or $53.50 for eight.
A state entrance fee applies at Paynetown. Call ahead to confirm hours this late in the season, and keep in mind the water is cold, so dress for it.
There are also hiking trails along the lake if you’d rather stay off the water.
Under 2 miles from campus | $12 per hour
The closest option to the stadium, and a nice one for a lower-key day. The city’s boathouse rents canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards on a 109-acre lake, with hiking trails through the surrounding preserve.
There’s a two-hour limit on weekend rentals, and you’ll need a photo ID. In October the boathouse is open Saturdays and Sundays only, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., so it won’t work for a pregame paddle with a noon kickoff. Plan on it after the game or on Sunday.
Or, again, just go for a hike.
About 40 minutes from Memorial Stadium | Strolling is free, ATV tour is $70 per person (21+)
If you’ve got an extra day, or even an extra afternoon, spend it in Nashville. The small downtown in the heart of Brown County is made for wandering, with art galleries, craft shops and homemade fudge packed into a few walkable blocks. There’s a couple of wineries, too, if you’re into that sort of thing.
I’m into that sort of thing.
For something a little more adventurous (and super fun), Hard Truth Distilling Co. sits on 325 wooded acres just outside town and runs its Get Lost ATV Tour. Staff drive you through the property in an off-road vehicle with stops for tastings along the way.
The tour runs 45 to 60 minutes, costs $70 per person, and you have to be at least 21. It is weather dependent, though, so rain can cancel it.
So there you have it.
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Even if the football game doesn’t go your way, you’ll still get to see a corner of Indiana that doesn’t get nearly enough credit.
Because as that animated crow in a commercial from my childhood always said, “There’s more than corn in Indiana!”
Every week this season, OutKick OutDoors is finding the best ways to touch grass before you touch down at the tailgate. Got a favorite spot near your campus we should know about? Hit us up on Instagram and TikTok.
