Indianapolis / Marion County

Indianapolis will serve as the geographic and historic hub of the NRHT as well as its visitor headquarters embracing the planned Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the White River State Park as core elements to connect trail users with the Historic National Road and all of the other attractions of the vibrant downtown area.

As shown below, Indy Greenways trails are proposed to form the route through Marion County.

Proposed NRHT route across Indianapolis

On the west side, the NRHT would use the east end of a developing 35-mile trail from Greencastle to Indy (Vandalia Trail, Vandalia Rail-Trail & People Pathways).  The route would then follow the Eagle Creek Trail south and east to the White River.  Trail users could then access the vibrant "business route" downtown through the Indianapolis Cultural Trail by way of the planned White River Trail north to the White River State Park.  Through travelers may also have the option to instead continue east from the Eagle Creek Trail on a proposed Raymond Street Trail or other options to the Pleasant Run Trail at Garfield Park.  Following the Pleasant Run Trail northeast, trail users would then pick up the evolving Pennsy Rail-Trail in the historic Irvington district and continue on to Cumberland and Greenfield.

Dozens of interesting sites await visitors along the future trail.  A dramatic entrance into downtown Indianapolis is presented by the old Washington Street bridge between the Indy Zoo and White River State Park, now a popular bike/pedestrian bridge.  Other landmarks such as the Capitol, Monument Circle, and the Irvington Historic District grace the route.

Open Trail

The portions of the intended route which exist today as an open trails are the Eagle Creek Trail along Raymond Street, the Pleasant Run Trail from Garfield Park to Irvington, and  the old Washington Street bridge (photo below) between the Zoo and White River State Park, which is a section of the White River Trail.

Indy Greenways Bridge to Downtown

Future Plans

Discussions with Indy Greenways and the Indianapolis Airport Authority have resulted in a likely route from Hendricks County to the Eagle Creek Trail roughly following the old Vandalia Railroad route through Wayne Township. To accommodate this route, city officials have requested an expanded I-465 trail underpass near the airport.  The Indianapolis Airport Authority had also referenced a future connection to the Vandalia Rail-Trail in its past grant application for a nearby proposed White Lick Creek Trail.

Indy Greenways will be instrumental in the final routing of the trail.   

Indianapolis Airport
Indianapolis Zoo
White River State Park
IUPUI
Amtrak station
State Capitol
Monument Circle
Garfield Park
National Road Marker
Washington Street Historic District
Bona Thompson Center
Irvington Street Historic District

The old Washington Street bridge