The Magnificent Overlook In Indiana That’s Worthy Of A Little Adventure
By Tori Jane|Published March 30, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
If you’re on the lookout for an overlook spot worthy of an adventure to the top, believe it or not, there are a few places you could pick throughout the Hoosier State. It’s not like we’re known for having a whole lot of mountains or canyons, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some awesome views anyway! Hickory Ridge Tower in Indiana is an outstanding overlook that’s well worth the trek to get to it.
Tucked tightly inside the Dean Wilderness area of the Hoosier National Forest is something that seems a little out of place: a 110-foot-tall tower peers out from the dense trees, beckoning visitors to come closer.
It's been there for ages; originally built in 1936, it was used from the '30s to the '70s as a lookout tower for forest fires. There used to be nine of them, but today, only this one remains.
Forest rangers would diligently watch from the top of the tower for smoke or other signs of trouble and would report to fire crews on the ground, directing them to the sites of potential fires.
Today, it's open year-round as an obstacle to be climbed with a really nice reward at the end: a killer view that shows you the beauty of the Hoosier National Forest for as far as you can see.
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There are 133 metal steps you must conquer to reach the top - equivalent to 11 stories of floor-climbing!
We recommend bringing lots of water and wearing comfy shoes; unless you're a seasoned hiker, this climb can get a little challenging - but trust us, the view at the top is worth it!
The woods leading to the tower are part of the adventure; lush, green, and beautiful during the warmer months and a snowy, beautiful winter wonderland during the cooler months, it's a quiet and secluded place to gather your thoughts.
Who says you even need to get all the way to the top super-fast? You might want to take as much time as you can - it's easy to kill an afternoon climbing 11 stories!
The view from the top these days looks quite a bit different than it would have back when the tower was first constructed.
It used to be that the view from the top of the tower was large, open farmlands, homes, and barns. Now, the space has been entirely filled in with large, healthy trees.
The view changes depending on what time of year you visit. What you see up there during winter will be different than what you see in summer; the view is especially lovely in fall.
Autumn color here is second to none, and both sunrise and sunset are worth a trip to the top of Hickory Ridge Tower on their own.
We hope you're not afraid of heights - the view straight down can be a little intimidating at first, but after your first visit, you'll learn to love it.
From Bloomington, take State Route 46 to State Route 446 and head out of town. Turn at Tower Ridge Road. You’ll see a sign for the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, and the Maumee Boy Scout Camp. Take the gravel road for about five miles until you see the tower peeking out of the trees to the left.
Craving more amazing overlooks other than just the Hickory Ridge Tower in Indiana? Check this article out for some ideas!
Have you ever made it to the top of this awesome lookout spot? Tell us how long it took you in the comments!
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