There’s no better way to get off the beaten path than literally getting off the beaten path and getting in the water. Stretch your arms, grab a paddle, and go kayaking or canoeing. Blend in with locals as you wind your way up the Elkhart River.
Fidler Pond Park sports an 80-acre pond amid a peaceful setting of trees and swinging benches. You can canoe across the water, or grab a pole and fish from the bank of the pond. You’re not catching dinner, this place is catch and release—but that’s okay, there are plenty of great nearby restaurants, like Goshen Brewing Co. Don’t want to drag all your gear along? No problem. Equipment rentals are available on site.
River Preserve County Park in Goshen is the ultimate showcase for Elkhart County’s diverse beauty. With a wide variety of wildlife and plants, DeFries Gardens within the park is especially popular with artists and photographers. Kayakers and hikers will love the park’s Benton Hydro site. And for the perfect short hike, check out the Baintertown Canal Trail that leads to both historic spots and areas for viewing the water.
Small but sweet, Treasure Island park is exactly what the name says: a treasure. Located on the banks of the St. Joseph River, you can fish and canoe here. And you won’t be alone. Waterfowl call this park home, and in the spring and fall, it’s a popular place to spot migrating birds.
