Beyond the Gridiron: Exploring Bloomington's Autumnal Offerings for Ohio State vs. Indiana Fans

Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, will host a top-five college football showdown on October 17, with No. 4 Ohio State facing No. 5 Indiana. Beyond the game, the surrounding area offers a variety of outdoor activities that coincide with the peak of autumn foliage.

Outdoor Adventures Near Bloomington

Brown County State Park

Approximately 40 minutes from Memorial Stadium, Brown County State Park is described as the "Little Smokies" for its rugged hills and ridges. Spanning roughly 16,000 acres, the park offers hiking trails, scenic overlooks like Hesitation Point, and a fire tower. Visitors can also drive through the park, with Nashville, Indiana, located just outside its entrance, providing dining and shopping options.

McCormick's Creek State Park

Located about 25 minutes from Memorial Stadium, McCormick's Creek State Park is Indiana's first state park. It features a waterfall accessible via Trail 3 or the Wolf Cave Trail, a moderate two-mile loop through a wooded nature preserve. The park's proximity to Bloomington makes it a viable option for those with limited time.

Waterfall flows beside fall foliage at McCormick State Park, Ind.

Hickory Ridge Fire Tower & Deam Wilderness

For panoramic views, the 110-foot Hickory Ridge Fire Tower, about 30 minutes from the stadium, offers vistas over the forest and Lake Monroe. It is the last remaining fire tower in the Hoosier National Forest. The adjacent Charles C. Deam Wilderness spans nearly 13,000 acres and includes approximately 36 miles of trails.

Visitors look out from Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower overlooking Charles C. Deam Wilderness.

Lake Monroe

Indiana's largest lake, Lake Monroe, is about six miles from campus. In October, the lake's surface reflects the surrounding fall colors. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at Paynetown State Recreation Area, with state entrance fees applying. Hiking trails also run along the lake.

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve

This preserve, less than two miles from campus, offers canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals on a 109-acre lake. Hiking trails wind through the preserve. Due to weekend rental limitations and operating hours, it may be more suitable for post-game activities or Sunday exploration rather than a pre-game paddle for a noon kickoff.

Autumn foliage lines a trail at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve after a rain shower.

Nashville and Hard Truth Distilling Co.

For those with additional time, the town of Nashville, located about 40 minutes away in Brown County, features art galleries and craft shops. Nearby, Hard Truth Distilling Co. offers an "ATV Tour" on its 325-acre property, which includes stops for tastings. The tour lasts 45 to 60 minutes and is weather-dependent.

The game between Ohio State and Indiana is scheduled for noon ET and will be broadcast on FOX. Both teams are ranked in the top five, with Indiana having won 22 consecutive games prior to this matchup. Ohio State enters the contest as a 3.5-point favorite.