Fall Foliage and Fun 

Southern Indiana’s countryside attractions and parks are simply beautiful during autumn. Regardless if you’re a local or visitor, set your sights and GPS for memorable fall excursions in SoIN.

Travel down State Road 62 to Charlestown State Park where its 15,000-acres provide breathtaking views of the Fourteen Mile Creek valley and the Ohio River along its six trails. For a “roads less traveled” trek, hike trail 3 to Rose Island—a once popular 1920s amusement park whose structural remains are now an exhibit. Interpretive panels with narrative, and old photos along the way help you envision what the park was like. End the day with a picnic or camp overnight. The park has 60 full hook-ups, a playground, and shelter houses.
More info: Charlestown State Park 12500 State Rd. 62, Charlestown (812) 256-5600 or view their website. 

Meander along State Road 31 in Henryville and you’ll discover Clark State Forest, Indiana’s oldest state forest. Originally 2,028 acres of land, the park grounds now encompass almost 24,000 acres of forested beauty. The state forest is the southern end of Indiana’s 58-mile Knobstone Trail, the state’s longest hiking path.

Hikers will enjoy two other trails: White Oak Nature Trail, and Resource Trail, both self-guiding and only a mile long. The park’s two preserves are a nature-lover’s dream during fall with red and gold hues from the white oak. Atop the 1,035-foot fire tower, you can see Louisville’s skyline on a clear day.

Recreation spots include several picnic areas, eight shelters, seven lakes for fishing, mountain bike and horse trails, and a shooting range.
More info: Clark State Forest, State Rd. 31, Henryville (812) 294-4306
View the Clark State Forest website. 

Head to the knobs of Starlight where you’ll find SoIN agritourism gems: Joe Huber Family Farm & Restaurant and Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards. On your way there, you’ll experience some of southern Indiana’s most brilliant foliage! The wooded hills are full of brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges.

Speaking of orange, u-pick pumpkins are only 50 cents per pound at Joe Huber’s and a portion of proceeds benefits the local WHAS Crusade for Children charity. For made-from-scratch goodness, dine at Joe Huber’s yummy Fall Buffet, served through October. Feast on fried chicken, Huber honey ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, chicken and dumplings, green beans, corn, fried biscuits with apple butter, German slaw, and Waldorf salad. During the entire month of November, Joe Huber’s serves a Thanksgiving meal that includes roasted turkey, homemade dressing, and pumpkin pie.

More info: Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant, 2421 Engle Rd., Starlight (812) 923-5255
View the Joe Huber website. 

A fall visit to Huber’s Orchard, Winery, and Vineyards is peaceful and relaxing. Adults will enjoy its winery and distillery tours and tastings, live music on the patio (through October), and lunch or refreshing fruit and cheese plate from Starlight Café. For children, the Family Fun Park’s grain train, pedal karts, trike corral, rope maze, and “larger than life” animals provide hours of fun! Families always enjoy the tractor rides for u-pick fruits and vegetables. Through mid-October, pick ripe and fragrant apples for eating or baking. Varieties such as Granny Smith, Mutsu, Fuji, and Gold Rush are seasonal favorites.
More info: Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards 19816 Huber Rd., Starlight (812) 923-9813
View Huber's website. 

Find other parks and trails that are beautiful in the fall.