Enjoy a Fun 3-Day Outdoor Itinerary!
Enjoy the Waterways
For those seeking a day of adventure or relaxation on the water, the experienced people at Trading Post Outfitters and T&L Country Canoes are ready to help! Rent your equipment, pick your paddling trip, and hit the water!
Explore the Land
The Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Preserve has over 12,000 acres of land and water for all of your hunting and fishing needs. LaGrange County also boasts public parks for picnics and play, and more than a dozen campgrounds so you can spend all your time getting back to nature.
Feed the Animals
Feed both domestic or exotic animals at the Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park, tour Stutzman’s Dairy Farm and bottle-feed some adorable calves, or head over to Wolcottville to visit with and feed a real Bison herd at Cook’s Bison Ranch.
Ride the Pumpkinvine
From the Shipshewana Trailhead you can enjoy the 17-mile Pumpkinvine Trail that winds through small towns, woods, and scenic farmland, complete with animals. Don’t have a bike with you? No problem! Bike rentals are available!
Day 1
When you get to Shipshewana, your FIRST stop is the Shipshewana Visitor’s Center, where you’ll find brochures, a Visitor’s Guide, a 2024 Coupon Book, and a knowledgeable, helpful staff to answer all your questions and point you in the right direction.
Make sure you stop at a local grocer like Yoder’s Meat & Cheese or E&S Sales to stock up on meal supplies, drinks, and snacks, so you won’t have to interrupt the fun later to look for lunch!
For your first day in LaGrange County, you’re heading to one of the local kayak rental companies to start your adventure on one of the many local beautiful waterways.
Try T&L Country Canoes or Trading Post Outfitters! Their experts will set you up with everything you need, help you choose where you’ll be paddling, and transport and assist you with your launch! You’ll want to give yourself the whole day to enjoy an exhilarating and relaxing sun-soaked day on the water. Of course, Lagrange County’s 86 rivers and lakes means that you could also go boating, fishing, or swimming at the public beaches.
Spend a night camping under the stars at any of the any local campgrounds! After hot dogs, burgers, s’mores or whatever you choose to make for dinner, try some Amish Frozen Custard or local handmade ice cream from Vanilla Bean Creamery and then drift off to sleep in the invigorating country air, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature.
Day 2
If you’d like some fancier accommodation, you’ll have a lot to choose from in Shipshewana! There are large Inns with amazing amenities like the Blue Gate Garden or Farmstead Inns, or more private, family size options like the conveniently located B&Bs Ole Tin Rooster, Little Red Hen, the Farmhouse of Farver, and more!
When you’re ready, head off to start another full day of fun. Start by heading just out of town to the Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park to see all types and sizes of amazing creatures, even zebras, camels, and llamas! Options include driving through the park in your own vehicle or taking a horse-drawn wagon. If you opt for the wagon ride, you’ll get to feed all the cool animals that come up to you! There’s also a picnic area, and another area of the park where you can walk through and see lots of smaller domestic and exotic animals. You can even pet or hold some of them! Ever cuddled a baby piglet?
Take a drive out to Wolcottville to spend the afternoon at the very cool Cook’s Bison Ranch! The owners will drive you out in a tractor-pulled wagon to visit their herd of Bison, who are happy to take food pellets right from you hand and pose for lots of photos.
A long, busy day outdoors means you’ll really enjoy a filling dinner buffet at the Blue Gate Restaurant. The only downside is that you can’t possibly try ALL the types of delicious pie they make. But you can buy some to take home!
Day 3
After breakfast, go rent your bikes and head to the Pumpkinvine Trailhead, located right in downtown Shipshewana.
The fully paved, 17-mile trail is a hiker’s or biker’s dream! The trail winds through forest, scenic countryside, Amish farms, and local communities. You’ll likely pass other people on bikes, even some Amish who may have cool electric bikes. Don’t forget to take some amazing photos with the gorgeous countryside and cute farm animals as your background!
Then it’s time for the less strenuous and relaxing brand-new Off the Beaten Path Audio Tour and map, provided by the Visitor’s Center! It will guide you through an afternoon touring backroads, small towns, and Amish shops at your own pace.
Stop at one of the many delicious restaurant choices listed on your map for lunch. Try Tiffany’s in Topeka for an authentic Amish meal and unbelievably good desserts. Then spend the rest of the day shopping at any of the many Amish cottage shops Off the Beaten Path, chatting with Amish or Mennonite business owners, and touring the more than 80 Barn Quilts throughout LaGrange County before heading back to Shipshewana for one last stop, the Davis Mercantile to ride the carousel and grab one last hot pretzel from Jo-Jo’s Pretzels for the drive home after your Outdoor Adventure to the Heart of Amish Country.
