Hoosier Hill (Indiana State Highpoint)

Indiana

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Trip Date: Sunday, July 19th, 2020
Last Updated: Saturday, March 27th, 2021
By Ricky Holzer

Hike Information

Rating ★★★☆☆(3/5)
Overall Difficulty Easy
Navigation Difficulty     Easy
Distance 0.1 miles roundtrip
Time 15 minutes
Terrain Mostly flat
Best Seasons All
Family Friendly Yes
Dog Friendly Yes
Accessible No

Highlights

Hike Summary

As you'd probably expect, Indiana's state highpoint on Hoosier Hill is possibly the least exciting of all 50 state highpoints. Similar to the Midwestern highpoints in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska, Hoosier Hill is surrounded by flat farm fields and doesn't feel much like a highpoint. Unlike those other three highpoints, this spot is hidden away in forest and lacks the endless Great Plains views of Kansas and Nebraska and does not feature an ostentatious monument like Kansas and Iowa. Nevertheless, Hoosier Hill is somewhere you must stop if you have chosen to highpoint the U.S. Given its less than 90-minute proximity to Indianapolis, it's also the easiest highpoint to reach in the entire Midwest.

As shown in the two pictures below, Hoosier Hill is deep within farm country. Nothing about the surroundings suggest that this would be the highest elevation in the state.

Corn growing adjacent to Hoosier Hill

Corn growing adjacent to Hoosier Hill

Moody Midwest skies above Indiana farm country

Moody Midwest skies above Indiana farm country

The drive is really the hardest part of the journey. Once you've parked, all you need to do to claim the summit of Hoosier Hill is walk up the short path into the woods pictured below.
The path leading to the highest place in Indiana

The path leading to the highest place in Indiana

At the "top" of the hill, you'll find a mailbox with a summit register, a stone campfire ring, and a large rock marking the summit. Allegedly, the original wooden sign was stolen so much that it was replaced with the engraved rock you see here today. You may be surprised to hear that the first person to highpoint the entire U.S., Arthur H. Marshall, ended his journey not with a difficult climb of Denali in Alaska or Granite Peak in Montana, but with this flat spot higher than the other flat spots in Indiana.
The monuments marking the summit of Hoosier Hill

The monuments marking the summit of Hoosier Hill

It might not be much, but Hoosier Hill is still an essential stop for any aspiring highpointer. Plus, if you've driven this far, you might as well drive 90 more minutes to Campbell Hill, Ohio's state highpoint. Connect with me using the social media links below and share your adventures!



Important Information

There are no signs prohibiting dogs here, but remember you are on private property. Clean up after your dog and don't let it roam far. As one of the easiest state highpoints to summit, this is a great place to introduce anyone of any age to highpointing. You can visit any time of year.

Directions

From Indianapolis, take Interstate 70 east almost all the way to the Ohio border. Take the exit for U.S. 27, then turn left. Turn right onto Arba Pike. Continue straight for about 7 miles, then turn right onto Bethel Road. Take the first left onto Elliot Road, then watch for signs for Hoosier Hill. There will be a turnout on the left where you can park.

Google Maps Directions

Parking, Fees, and Facilities

Parking is free! There are no facilities here.

Nearby Hikes

The picturesque monument atop Campbell Hill after a rain storm
Campbell Hill (Ohio State Highpoint)
Ohio
★★★☆☆(3/5)

External Links