Best Beaches In Indianapolis Near Me

4worldlovers: Looking for a sky-high adventure in Eagle Creek Park? Check out Go Ape’s 2–3 hour treetop adventure course, named by USA Today for having one of the nation’s top 10 zip lines in the United States!


The course includes 5 zip lines, but is also made up of challenging rope ladders, 2 tarzan swings, and 39 crossings. There are 5 individual sections within the course — each section takes you higher into the trees and finishes with a zip line overlooking the reservoir.


Foundation members can enjoy an exclusive 15% off Go Ape adventures for themselves and up to 4 friends with an online reservation. The course is open March – November, and parking is available at the Earth Discovery Center. For online bookings and availability, log on GoApe.com.

The bark park was named after Gordon Gilmer, a former city councilor (’71–’99) before he retired from the Pike Township City-County Council. Gordon played an instrumental role in helping Pike Township develop into a thriving area of growth for the city. He saw the great influence Eagle Creek Park brought to the city’s northwest side, and sought to protect it by limiting development around the park.


The carved statue at the front of the bark park represents MacKenzie, his beloved yellow labrador retriever, which was updated in 2014 during a rededication ceremony celebrating its 15-year anniversary.

Eagle Creek’s bark park is a place where owners and their four-legged friends can socialize and enjoy the company of others off-leash! To participate, your dog must be equipped with a “pooch pass.” Pooch passes consist of a tag for your dog and a gate access card for you. The pooch tag can be worn on the dog or be carried by the dog owner and in plain view at all times. To purchase a pooch pass, you’ll need to bring your dog’s vaccination records (rabies, distemper, parvo, and bordetella) to the park office. A daily pass is just $5.

*Very Important Pooch pass includes access to all four Indy Parks CCZ; available for purchase at Broad Ripple Park only for $125 (includes Eagle Creek Park, Paul Ruster Park, Broad Ripple Park, and Smock Park).

Pitch a blanket, bring some chairs, or cruise in on your boat to enjoy some local folk or jazz tunes every Wednesday night June–August down at the swimming beach. Both “In Concert with Nature” and “Jazz on the Point” concert series begin at 6:30pm. Shaded spots are limited, bring your own umbrella. Enjoy dinner from our partner food truck and top it off with some ice cream from the concession stand. All proceeds go to support the Eagle Creek ParK Foundation. Cost is free with park admission.

In the event of possible inclement weather, please follow Eagle Creek Park on Facebook to stay up-to-date on any cancellation.

Play 36 holes of Pete Dye championship golf at Eagle Creek Golf Club – one of the Midwest’s premier golf courses, which has won the Consumers Choice Award – Golf Level for Favorite Golf Course in Indianapolis. A mere 10 minutes away from downtown Indianapolis, you can “swing” through a natural setting that incorporates numerous nature areas along with wetlands and rolling terrain. There is a Pines course that appeals to golfers of all levels, and then a more scenic and challenging Sycamore course mixing hills, tree-lined fairways, and water holes. The course has also been highly rated in Golf Digest in its “Places to Play” category for Indiana.

Eagle Creek Park's beach is the only area swimming is permitted in the park.

Eagle Creek Park's beach area was open in 2023 through August 6th. It will reopen in 2024, follow Eagle Creek Park on Facebook for updates

Personal boats up to 10 horsepower are permitted on the reservoir, and there is a 26-foot length boat restriction. The car top boat launch admission is $3 plus park admission, and an annual car top boat launch sticker is $20 per vessel. Small canoes and kayaks can launch from the old boat ramp at the back of the Earth Discovery Center parking lot (must be portaged down the ramp, no vehicles). Boats with trailers must launch from the 42nd St. boat ramp (on Dandy Trail, south of the Eagle Creek 56th Street gatehouse). There’s a $20.00 annual canoe /kayak Pass or 1 annual 42nd St. boat ramp pass for $40.00.

4worldlovers: Morse Park and Beach is the center for summer time activities in Hamilton County. With the surrounding trees, hills, and Morse Lake, it is an ideal location to play! This 23-acre park boasts an 18-hole disc golf course. Morse Park is also home to the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department's spring and fall softball leagues. For more information about the softball leagues, visit our Softball page.

Picnic, fish, or play volleyball at Morse Park and Beach, but don't forget your sunscreen!

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation is partnering with Friends of Central Pool in the operation of its beach and bathhouse at Morse Park and Beach.

For current information on Morse Beach, visit our Morse Beach page.

Morse Park features 4 shelters for your outdoor events. All shelters provide grills, picnic tables and trash disposal for your convenience. Shelters A, C, and D hold approximately 50 people and shelter B holds approximately 100 people. Reserve Online.

4worldlovers:
Eagle Creek Park features more than 1,400 acres of water and 3,900 acres of forest. It offers a wide variety of activities just minutes from downtown. Visitors enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, and more. You may even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle.

The park is supported by the Eagle Creek Park Foundation. Visit the foundation’s website to learn about efforts to protect and improve the park for current and future generations.

View the Eagle Creek Park history booklet for a brief history of the land and the people that occupied it.

Eagle Creek Park is turning 50 this year! To learn more about our 50th Anniversary programs, events, and challenges please visit Eagle Creek Park 50th Anniversary

You must pay a fee to enter and use the park. The fees are listed below. Annual passes can be purchased online.

Generally, the park is open from dawn to dusk. Hours vary depending on the month:

From hiking to ziplining, Eagle Creek Park offers a variety of fun activities.

See the list of facilities below to find more information about park activities.

Eagle Creek Dog Park (Gordon Gilmer Canine Companion Zone) 317-327-7110

If you would like to rent an indoor facility, consider Eagle's Crest and Eagle's Hideaway – great options for weddings, showers, reunions, and more. 317-327-7193

Eagle Creek Park offers a variety of programs and events for everyone to enjoy. For complete details, click on the links below:

Keep dogs leashed at all times except at the canine companion zone.

Boats must be between 8 ft. and 26 ft. with motors no greater than 10 hp.

Launch canoes and kayaks from the old boat ramp by the Earth Discovery Center or the public launch at the back of the Marina parking lot.

Teaching classes in the park for a fee requires a vendor fee and agreement. Check with the park office or park manager for more details.

Alcoholic beverages, loud music, ground fires, littering, hunting and trapping, firewood gathering, off-road biking, drones, and watercraft of any kind in the waterfowl sanctuary are not allowed at any time.

For questions, contact the park office or staff using the information below:

Charlie Elliott, park manager (Admin Office, Bark Park, Boat Ramp, Gates)

4worldlovers: Facility Rental Fees Resident of Marion County Shelter: $75/day Non Resident Shelter: $90/day