Dogs Leashed
E-Bikes
Not Allowed
This trail closes frequently during wetter seasons due to inundation of the floodplain.
If the wooden trail gate at the trailhead or the park gate on 96th St. are closed, the trail is closed to all traffic.
Overview
The entrance to this trail is at 5325 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN and the open/closed status can be obtained by calling (317) 327-PARK. It is just east of the 96th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway round about.
The trail is a one-way directional trail. The direction alternates daily. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, the trail is one-way clockwise and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the trail is one-way counter-clockwise. There is clear signage at the trailhead to let you know which way to go.
The terrain of this trail is very open, flowy, and fast. Sections along the levee have a very roller coaster feel to them. The inland segment of the trail north of the I-465 bridge is very narrow and somewhat technical in parts, however. This trail can have very high traffic on nice days, and watch out for families and new riders riding slowly along the trail.
Many local racers like to use this trail for training purposes and track their lap times. Remember to be courteous to all trail users, including walkers or trail runners who may also be using the trail. If you want to race your lap times, sign up for a race!
This trail is fairly close to Fort Harrison State Park. Ride both parks in a day for more miles. Better yet, ride to both of them! There is currently not a "best" route connecting them, so you'll have to do some planning and figure one out. Connect Town Run to the bike lane on Allisonville, Rd., which you can connect to the Fall Creek Greenway via 56th St. or Kessler Blvd. and then to Fort Harrison State Park when the extension to the greenway is finished. Along 86th St. just west of Allisonville Rd., ride the short loop behind BGI-North while you're at it.
Need to Know
The park entrance and trailhead parking were paved in the spring of 2013, so you no longer need to watch for ground clearance as you enter or exit the park onto 96th St. It is probably best to approach this trail from 96th & Keystone Ave. unless you are familiar with the traffic patterns in the area.
The trail is a one-way trail that alternates direction between clockwise (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun) and counter-clockwise (Tues, Thurs ands Sat). There are multiple direction signs throughout the trail to help you know which way to go. The short section that passes underneath I-465 along the White River has two-way traffic, but it is sufficiently wide to allow for unrestricted travel.
Stay tuned on the
HMBA Forums for updates on trail status.
Description
Enter the trail at either of the wooden gates at the end of the parking lot. Use the gate to the left of the shelter on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Use the gate to the right of the shelter on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The river side portion of the trail snakes along with occasional views of the White River, using the levee to help riders pick up some gravity-assisted speed. There is an occasional optional jump line, but since this area is in a floodplain, it is best to scout such features before riding them, especially if the trail has flooded somewhat recently. The river will move just about anything when it gets high.
This area can be pretty fast, so be careful to ride under control in case you encounter slower trail users.
South of the underpass under I-465, the trail character changes somewhat. This portion snakes through an open meadow that is maintained as a native prairie. Here you'll see many native tall grasses and prairie wildflowers. You might see some young trees that were killed by the drought in the summer of 2012, as well.
On the inland portion of the trail north of I-465, the trail character changes yet again. The trail snakes along a hillside and is pretty narrow and technical compared to the rest of the trail.
The inland trail follows along the levee for awhile, providing some opportunities for speed. Toward the north end of the inland trail, it changes character again into a twisty ride through thick, moist forest. There is a fun wooden wall ride tucked into this section, so watch for it.
The trail takes you out into the open and has one more trick up its sleeve. You still have Tetanus Hill at the north end of the of the inland trail. Tetanus Hill provides a short, steep climb and some narrow technical trail when riding the trail clockwise (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun) and a technical and tight downhill when riding counter-clockwise (Tues, Thurs and Sat). The hill is almost entirely comprised of buried junk, so be sure your tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date. If you are a timid rider, you can choose to wear armor, but you can also bypass this section.
Detailed trail information available on the Town Run Trail - Indianapolis
Facebook group.
History & Background
The area of Town Run Trail Park was originally farmed. In the mid-20th century, the area was quarried for sand and gravel. Sand and gravel extraction continues adjacent to the park.
There is a good history lesson of Town Run Trail Park on the
HMBA forums. If you're interested in the history and seeing aerial photos of the area dating back to 1941, take a gander and learn a little bit about the area and why it appears the way it does.
The southern section of trails is on a Central Indiana Land Trust parcel called
Oliver's Woods Nature Preserve. An agreement between the Trust and IndyParks allows the mountain bike trails to persist here, but the Trust has plans to build its headquarters here along with some nature trails.
Contacts
Shared By:
Nate Hawkins
with improvements
by Jason Hilt
and 2 others
Intermediate
4.2 (124)
Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park
Fortville, IN
Expert Loop
Continue with onX Maps
Sign in with Facebook
All Clear
15 Comments