Visit Hidden Valley Dearborn Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the natural wonders of Hidden Valley, Indiana: camping and outdoor adventures in the Hoosier National Forest. Don't forget: tent and equipment!
Hidden Valley landmarks are for me less a marketing term than an honest hint that more than just field path and crop fields can be found here; the valley has history that you can not overlook when you honestly browse the dusty archives of Miller Township. Founded at the beginning of 19. Centuries of pioneers who believed that the country was an inexhaustible fountain of money, the area slowly developed from a remote farm community to a small but proud part of Dearborn County, Indiana. I feel that the old barns and the remaining wooden bridges tell more about the American dream than any tourist poster.
If you come from Indianapolis, take the I‐74 east, then turn off to the US‐50 – this is the fastest route, but I recommend you to explore the side roads, because you feel the real Hidden Valley sights there: the rustling of corn fields in the wind, the occasional mowing of a cow that reminds you that there is still real farming. Once arrived, you can simply sneak by bike or walk through the gentle hills; the network of land roads is surprisingly well developed and the local bus network, if you really don't want to drive anything, will take you to the city of Dearborn, where you will find some nice cafes that have more charm than the chains on the highway.
I don't quite understand the hype about big cities, but here, between the old oaks and the silent fields, I find a rest I rarely experience in loud cities – and this is the real highlight of Hidden Valley for me.
So, next time you drive through Miller Township and suddenly the sign “Hidden Valley” appears, don’t let the inconspicuous road fool you – here’s my personal favorite spot, the Hidden Valley Park. I mean, honestly, this is not exactly the Central Park of New York, but the small green area with the old oak tree, which almost already has its own postal code mark, is a perfect place to let the soul bangle. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole neighborhood comes together to grill. I once made a spontaneous picnic with my mate, and we talked about the “secret” art of grilling in Indiana – no joke, that was better than any food festival stage.
A short walk further (about 300 meters, so hardly a walkway) leads you to Hidden Valley Community Center. The building is a bit like a Swiss pocket knife: from yoga classes to bingo finishes to a monthly flea market where you found more than once an antique screwdriver set that is supposed to come from the 70s. I don't understand the hype about the monthly “art and coffee night” completely, but the cozy corner with the worn-out sofas convinced me – and the best thing: the WLAN signal is strong enough to post a few Instagram stories without the image being pixelated.
If you ask yourself where you can refuel your energy, look at this Hidden Valley Golf Course on. Yes, this is actually a 9-hole course that looks more like a huge lawn mower course than after a professional golf club. Nevertheless, the locals swear because the fairways are so narrow that you almost feel like a ballet dancer trying not to stumble over the grass necks. I once hit a birdie there, and that was the first time since my youth that I could speak the word “Birdie” without sarcastic grin. Parking is right behind the clubhouse, but be warned: the small café there serves only coffee and donuts, and the donuts are so dry that you could use them better than door stoppers.
A bit further south, hidden between two paths, this is Hidden Valley Cemetery. Sounds like a place you'd run out of the guide, but for me this is a piece of lively history. The tombstones from the 1800s tell about pioneers who left their spores here – and this is not only romantic, but also a bit creepy when you walk at night over the creeping wooden door of the small visitor's house. I have once discovered an old family name that happened to belong to my great-grandmother; that made me feel I'm really home here.
A short detour to the east leads you to Hidden Valley Church, a small but well preserved wooden church from the 1920s. The benches are cracking, the glass window is a bit sloping, and the organ sounds like it's getting out of the clock every moment – and that's what makes the charm. I once participated in a Sunday worship service, only to see if the famous “coffee-to-the-fair” tradition is really as good as everyone says. Spoiler: The coffee is strong enough to rip you out of sleep, and the pastry is a bit too dry to enjoy it, but the smile of the community makes it up again.
For those who prefer to stay in motion, there is Hidden Valley Trail, a narrow, tree-lined path that winds through the rural heart of the neighborhood. The path is not signposted, so you need a good sense of orientation (or a phone with GPS that you have anyway). I once made a morning run there while the sun just crawled over the fields, and that was the only time that I had the feeling that nature would actually applaud me. The trail ends at a small stream where you can see a few trout when you are lucky – a perfect place to keep in and watch the water before you stumble back into everyday life.
And yes, I must not forget: the Hidden Valley Pond. This is not a huge lake, but rather a modest pond that the city has designated as a fishing spot. Most visitors think this is just a “small pond”, but the local anglers swear that the biggest carp in the area can be found here. I caught a 12-pound carp there once, and that was the first time I really felt like a fishing professional – until I realized that I had posted the fish's picture on Instagram for a while before I even finished the photo. Parking is on the edge, and the sign “Hidden Valley Sights” indicates that this is an official spot, even if most visitors hardly notice the sign.
Finally, a little hint that I always forget to mention: the little diner at the intersection of County Road 500 N and 300 E, which is not officially considered an attraction, but for me is the true heart of Hidden Valley. There are the best homemade pancakes, and the staff know you by name as soon as you come in for the first time. I've had so many conversations there that I almost feel like being part of the city's history – and that's the most beautiful souvenir you can take with me.
The first stop I recommend for every newman is that Dearborn County Historical Museum in Lawrenceburg – a small but surprisingly well-stocked museum that tells the history of the region from the early settlers to the railway time. I have learned more about the old copper mine there than I would have thought possible, and this is not without reason because the museum is housed in a former bank building that is even a piece of history. Parking is almost always a klack, unless you arrive on Friday night after the weekly beer festival, then the car park becomes the battlefield Arena.
A short walk down Main Street leads you to Riverfront Park on the banks of the Ohio River. The river glitters in the sunlight, and the promenade is perfect for a picnic that you can combine with a local hot dog stand – no joke, the sausages there are legendary. I once experienced a spontaneous street musician’s duet with a guitarist from Cincinnati, who brought the whole crowd to sing. Access is barrier-free, and parking is right next to the car park, which is fast enough on weekends.
If you have enough of urban hustle and bustle, look at this Miller’s Bridge one of the few covered wooden bridges in the state. The bridge lies a little off the main road, between Aurora and the road 62, and its charm lies just in seclusion – you can almost feel like standing in a movie from the 1930s. I once saw an old tractor that ran over the bridge from a local peasant, and the sound of the sticking wood was almost hypnotic. A small car park right in front of the bridge is enough for a few cars, but on sunny Saturdays it can be narrow.
A couple of miles further Whitewater Canal Historic Site at Brookville, where the old sluice plant still leads the water in slow, almost meditative streams. I have made a small picnic on the shore, while a historical cahn passed – that was a picture I will never forget. The path along the canal is well developed, and there are several information signs showing the history of the 19th century. Centenary buildings explain. Parking is free, but only close to the visitor centre, which is often overrun by school classes in summer.
For nature lovers who prefer to experience the forest in its raw form is Big Run State Park A must. The lake there is crystal clear, and the hiking trails lead through dense beech forests that offer a firework of colors in autumn. I once rented a kayak and enjoyed the quiet water surface, while a squirrel boldly tried to steal my fishing rod – a real highlight. The parking lot at the main entrance is large enough, but on holidays the trip can take a little longer because the families with picnic baskets are moving in.
Just a short drive over the bridge to Ohio brings you to Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. The visitor centre is modern, but the forest area is untouched, and the guided hikes there are guided by genuine natural pedagogues. I took part in a night hike where we heard owl calls and a biologist told us why the bats thrive so well here. The parking lot is well signposted, and the center offers a free shuttle service from the main parking lot if you don't want to leave the car too long.
Last but not least, if you feel that you need more green, it's worth a break in the Hoosier National Forest, more precisely to the viewpoint “Shawnee Lookout”. The way there is a little bumpy, but the view over the gentle hills and the wide valley is worth every sweat drop. I found an old photo of my grandfather that he made in 1972 there – a little moment of time travel that made the whole more personal. The parking lot is small, so better be there early, otherwise you have to walk a bit further.
Whether you're looking for history, nature or just a bit of rest – the surroundings of Hidden Valley offer a colourful mix of experiences that go far beyond the small town. These Hidden Valley Attractions have always surprised me and show that Miller Township has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
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