The best outdoor adventure near Memorial Stadium for Ohio State vs. Indiana football fans
No. 4 Ohio State visits No. 5 Indiana at Memorial Stadium with its peak Brown County fall foliage, fire towers and Lake Monroe.
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Indiana has won 22 straight games, owns the national championship and hosts Ohio State in Bloomington, both ranked in the top five. The last time these two met, the Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes 13-10 in the Big Ten Championship Game, ending Ohio State's undefeated season.
Now the 5-1 Buckeyes are back as a 3.5-point favorite against an undefeated Indiana team that has a lot to prove again.
Of course I went to the University of Tennessee. But Indiana is my home state and I grew up spending my summers in Lake Monroe. But Southern Indiana in mid-October — with the hills lit up in red and gold — is hard to beat.
Bloomington sits right in the middle of it. Brown County, in particular, is a little slice of heaven.
About 40 minutes to Memorial Stadium $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plates, $15 out of state | Easy to adjust
Indiana's largest state park covers nearly 16,000 acres of rolling hills and ridges, and people call it the "Little Smokes" for a reason. Head to a scenic overlook like Hesitation Point, climb a fire tower, or if you'd rather stay warm, just drive the park's roads and take in the sights.
The park gets crowded during peak foliage weekends and entry can get backed up, so get there early. Nashville, Ind. is right outside the gate, making it easy to make a full day.
About 25 minutes to Memorial Stadium $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plates, $15 out of state | Easy to adjust
Indiana's first state park is also home to one of the few waterfalls in the state that isn't exactly known for them. The Wolf Cave Trail is a moderate loop of approximately 2 miles through a forested nature preserve to a small cave that has 4.6 stars in over 1,200 AllTrails reviews. If you're short on time, the waterfall is just a short, easy walk from Route 3. It's the closest major state park to Bloomington, making it perfect for shorter windows.
Hickory Ridge Fire Tower and Deam Wilderness
About 30 minutes to Memorial Stadium average
Hickory Ridge's 110-foot fire tower has 133 steps and is open to climbing, offering views of the forest and Lake Monroe.
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This is the last fire tower in the Hoosier National Forest. The nearby Charles CD Wilderness, Indiana's only wilderness area, covers nearly 13,000 acres and about 36 miles of hiking trails.
About 6 miles from campus Canoe or kayak rentals from about $42 for four hours, plus state entry fee
Indiana's largest lake is nearly 11,000 acres, and in October the fall colors reflect right off the water. Lake Monroe Boat Rentals at Penn State Recreation Area rents canoes and kayaks that hold one or two people for $41.73 for four hours or $53.50 for eight hours.
A state entrance fee applies at Paynetown. Call ahead to confirm closing hours this season, and remember the water is cold, so dress for it.
If you prefer to be away from the water, there are also hiking trails along the lake.
The closest option to the stadium, and a good option for a low-key day. The town boathouse rents canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards on the 109-acre lake, with hiking trails in the surrounding preserve.
There is a two hour limit for weekend rentals and you need a photo ID. In October, the boathouse is only open Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-7pm, so it won't be open for pre-game paddles starting at noon. Plan on it after the game or on Sunday.
Fall foliage is seen on a trail at Griffey Lake Conservation Area after rain on Oct. 19, 2025, in Bloomington, Ind. (Jeremy Hogan)
About 40 minutes to Memorial Stadium Walking is free, ATV tours are $70 per person (21+).
If you have an extra day or even an afternoon, spend it in Nashville. The small downtown in the heart of Brown County is made for wandering, with art galleries, craft shops and homemade fudge packed into a few walkable blocks. There are also a few wineries if you're into that sort of thing.
For something a little more adventurous (and super fun), Hard Truth Distilling Co. Located on 325 wooded acres just outside of town, Get Lost runs its own ATV.tour. The staff will drive you through the property in an off-road vehicle with stops for tastings along the way.
The tour lasts 45-60 minutes, costs $70 per person, and you must be at least 21 years old. But it depends on the weather, so rain can cancel it.
Even if the football game doesn't go your way, you'll still find a corner of Indiana that doesn't get enough credit.
Because as that animated crow in a commercial from my childhood always said, "There's more to Indiana than corn!"
Each week this season, OutKick OutDoors finds the best ways to touch the grass before touching the tailgate. Got a favorite place near your campus that we should know about? Introduce us on Instagram and TikTok.
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