If you like to be outdoors, Madison parks can fill your outdoor activities agenda. There is a lot of outdoor fun to be had near your Madison Bed and Breakfast.
Clifty Falls State Park
1501 Green Road
Madison, IN 47250
1-812-273-8885
www.stateparks.com
If you are looking for outdoor fun, visit Clifty Falls State Park and choose your activity. The park is located near State Roads 56 and 62. Here you can get close to nature at the nature center, have a picnic, hike the trails, swim, play tennis and enjoy the water slide in the summer. There are cultural arts programs and then you can stop and have dinner at the restaurant. Yes there is a waterfalls at this park and the best time to view it would be in the winter and spring. Clifty Falls State Park has beautiful scenery throughout the parks canyon, creek and cliffs.
Big Oaks Wildlife Refuge
1661 W. JPG Niblo Rd.
Madison, Indiana 47250
812-273-0783
www.medwest.fws.gov/bigoaks
Just 5 miles north of Madison on U.S. Highway 421 is 50,000 acres of land called Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. Some of the area was known as the Jefferson Proving Ground and the Air Force uses the bombing range area of the proving ground. That portion is not included in the refuge and safety buffers separate the areas. It is here that you will find many different outdoor activities within close proximity to your Madison Inn. The area is a great place for bird enthusiasts to spot many species including the Indiana bat which is an endangered species. The refuge offers environmental education, fishing, hunting, photography, wildlife observation and much more. Visitors need a permit to visit. The permits are available at the office and are $3 a day or $15 for the year. Permits are not needed for those 16 and under and those that have a Federal Duck Pass, Golden Eagle Passport or Golden Age Passport and is free for the blind and permanently disabled. Visit the website for the hunting, fishing and boat regulations.
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
12985 E. U.S. Highway 50
Seymour, Indiana 47274
812-522-4352
www.midwest.fws.gov/muscatatuck
This park offers a different kind of refuge experience than Great Oaks. It covers 7,802 acres and is near Seymour. Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is about 40 miles from your Madison Inn and offers habitat for fish, wildlife and endangered species. It is known for its bird watching.There are 9 miles of roads in the refuge that are open to visitors from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week. There are no fees for this park. Visit the website for hunting and fishing regulations.
Madison Parks and Recreation
www.madisonparks.com
Madison offers many parks and recreational activities along the Ohio River and throughout the city. They include scenic walking trails, tennis, baseball diamonds, fishing and much more. Plan your trip during one of Madison's festivals and get more from your outdoor experience, such as the Madison in Bloom Spring Garden Tour held the second and third weekends in May, The Ohio River Valley Folk Festival held the third weekend in May, the Madison Regatta on the July 4th weekend, Ribberfest held the third weekend in August, Chautauqua Festival of Art the last weekend in September, the Tri Kappa Tour of Homes held the second weekend in October even years only. On the last weekend in November and the first weekend in December enjoy the Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes. Enjoy all that your Madison Inn outdoor adventures have to offer.