Scenic driving through the Hoosier National Forest

There is some amazing scenery throughout the Hoosier National Forest. Make sure to bring your camera and binoculars and drive the roads through the Forest to see for yourself.

Fall and spring in southern Indiana are always beautiful. Fall color in southern Indiana normally begins in mid-late September and peaks the second or third week in October.

In Fall, the yellow and golds of tulip poplars, locust and redbuds add vibrant color to the Forest canopy and roadsides. There are also red from the blackgum trees and sumac, and burnt orange maples and sassafrass.

Fall flowers including yellow black-eye susans, purple iron weed and bright yellow goldenrods add color to fields and roadside ditches. Croplands also add their own beauty as fields come alive with fall harvests.

Geese heading south and walnuts falling, making autumn an interesting time to visit the Forest. The peak of fall color is normally the second week of October.

In Spring, Spring colors creeps gradually into the Forest, with the trees along openings and roadsides the first to don spring color. The purple pink of redbud and the creamy white of dogwood make spring many visitor's favorite time to drive Forest roads. The Forest floor is also bright with trilliums, anemones and a host of other spring wild flowers. Come visit the Forest during the Wildflower Foray in the spring.

Here are two routes for viewing the fall and spring colors through the Hoosier National Forest.

One route loops through the northern part of the Forest southeast of Bloomington. Highlights include Lake Monroe and breath-taking views of the hills around the lake and the sparkling lake itself with speedboats and sailboats.

Another route is to take highway 66 starting in Tell City and then head south along the New Ohio River Scenic Byway through Magnet. Visit the communities of Derby, Magnet, Fredonia, Artist point, Alton, and stop by Buzzard Roost overlook. The route is relatively remote, with spectacular panoramic vistas, and your chances of seeing wildlife are good.

There are numerous roads that branch off the roads you will be driving on that also go through the Forest with breath-taking views.

I personally love to drive all the roads through the Forest year round. All the seasons have their own beauty to them.