Nature Hikes With Kids: Frogs’ Glory in Carroll County
Located in Carroll County, this beautiful Niches property features woodland & meadow trails, with a view of the Tippecanoe River. If you’re looking for somewhere to take kids hiking this summer, definitely put this one on your list!
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If you’ve been reading here this spring & summer, you’ve noticed posts on hiking outings you can do with children. I’m not a native Hoosier and I have loved getting to explore this beautiful corner of the midwest. Indiana is a bit modest about her beauties; no, there aren’t mountains or oceans here, and the one big city we don’t share with another state is, well, not that big. So Indiana doesn’t speak up too much about her attractions, which is sad, because she’s got so much more to share than farm fields (which can also be beautiful!)
My sister suggested visiting this NICHES property and we had a wonderful morning of it. Margaret Marchand donated the property to NICHES & the droll name comes from a one-room schoolhouse that her mother attended as a child. In celebrating the name and school theme, there’s also a delightful frog statue with woodland creatures painted on it, a Little Free Library, and a reading bench in the shade. Access is completely free.
Part of the beauty of the mile long trail at Frogs’ Glory is this blend of sunshine & shade ~ warm, sun-drenched meadows and cool, shadowy forest. You can get a beautiful, up-close view of the Tippecanoe River by crossing a quiet road. My children saw a couple of great blue herons at the river (and deer in the woods!). Wildflowers abound, making great splashes of color.
Most of the trail is very flat, which is a big plus if you’re walking with small children or have physical issues that make arduous hikes difficult. There are no restrooms on site, although you’re pretty close to the small town of Delphi, so a stop on the way might make sense (or bring a small toddler travel toilet!).
The day we went we were the only ones there, so a friend spread out a big blanket for a picnic in the grassy parking lot. It was lovely! Cell phone reception is very spotty, so this on-call-doula kept popping over to places where she had a couple bars to make sure nothing was missed. ;-) Driving there, it can feel like you are just snaking through country roads, not heading anywhere, and then suddenly you arrive at the destination. There are good directions on the NICHES website & my phone’s GPS got us there perfectly.
Other good outings:
Portland Arch Nature Preserve
Bryan Woods Nature Preserve
