Central Indiana Wilderness Club

09/14/2026

🎃 Come volunteer with the CIWC at Holliday Park from 9am - 12pm on October 25th! As a thank‑you for Holliday Park’s support, we’re giving back with volunteer hours. Wear work clothes—we’ll be outdoors helping to collect the pumpkin luminaries we set up on Oct 17th for the park’s Halloween event. We like to end the event with a catch up over lunch in Broad Ripple. Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6503620

***Join us for the first of the 2 volunteer days on October 17th!! Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6503616

Sign up for one or both!

09/13/2026

🍂 CIWC Bring the Kids (Ages 5+) to Brown County State Park - Oct 25, 2026.

Join CIWC and get the kids outside to see the beautiful fall trees before the cold weather comes to stay. 1.5-mile hike around Ogle Lake on relatively flat trail (with a few sets of a stairs). Stop for snack and play at the playground before driving up to West Lookout Tower to take in the view.

Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6612240

09/12/2026

📸 CIWC 2026 September Club Public Meeting & Social - Nature Photography for the Trail

Join us on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:30 for the things that make the biggest difference in nature photography, minus the deep technical rabbit holes. How to read the light you've been given and pick a subject to match it. Why an overcast morning beats a bright afternoon for creeks, waterfalls, and wildflowers. How to spot the cluttered background that's about to ruin an otherwise good shot. How to get closer to wildlife without stressing the animal. And a few habits that separate photographers who keep getting better from the ones who plateau.

Whatever camera you already own is enough. We'll keep things practical, so newer photographers won't get lost and experienced ones will still leave with something to try on the next hike. Bring your camera, your questions, and a few shots you're not happy with — those usually make the best teaching examples.

Please RSVP (register) to help us anticipate turnout.
Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6503600

08/25/2026

🎃 Come volunteer with the CIWC at Holliday Park from 9am - 12pm on October 17th! As a thank‑you for Holliday Park’s support, we’re giving back with volunteer hours. Wear work clothes—we’ll be outdoors helping set up pumpkin luminaries for the park’s Halloween event. We like to end the event with a catch up over lunch in Broad Ripple. Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6503616

[We'll have a second volunteer day picking up the luminaries on October 25th. Sign up for one or both! Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6503620]

08/25/2026

Come join Wendy at the new Carpenter Nature Preserve https://maps.app.goo.gl/1gQuZkqV4RgHjoPt9?g_st=ic in Zionsville next Saturday, 8/29 at 9:00.
There are a couple of miles of trails along Eagle Creek so it shouldn’t take more than an hour or hour and a half to walk with sightseeing. This park used to be a golf course and it’s interesting to see how they’re starting to convert it.
Things to know: No dogs allowed since it’s a nature preserve; nice bathrooms at the start 🙂 Link to register so we can anticipate turnout: https://ciwclub.org/event-6813888

08/25/2026

📢Still have a few spots open for all of our upcoming September fun! Don't miss out! 📢

Fall adventures are calling 🍂
CIWC has three great trips coming up—kayaking, car camping, and a multi‑night backpacking trek. Spots are limited, so grab yours while you can. If the trip you want fills up, join the waitlist! Links below:

🚣CIWC Easy Kayak Day on Somerset Lake - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6702430
Paddle into the weekend with CIWC!
Join us for an Easy Kayak Day on Somerset Lake — open to everyone. Three kayaks available or bring your own. Beautiful water, easy paddling, and a relaxing morning outdoors. September 5 • 8:00–11:00AM

⛺CIWC Fall Car Camping Weekend - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6635640
Ready for a relaxing fall weekend outdoors? Join CIWC at O’Bannon Woods State Park, Sept 18–20!
Expect hiking (8–10 miles), optional road biking, exploring the pioneer village, and cozy campfire nights with s’mores and singing. Bring your instrument if you want to join in.

🥾 CIWC North Country Trail (NCT) Backpacking - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6503887
Ready for a big fall adventure? Join CIWC for 5 days on the North Country Trail along the stunning Manistee River, Sept 20–25, 2026!
Expect moderate terrain, daily mileage of 9–12 miles, river views from high bluffs, and a mix of State Forest, private, and dispersed camping. You’ll even earn 50 miles toward the NCT Hike 100 Challenge

08/11/2026

Fall adventures are calling 🍂
CIWC has three great trips coming up—kayaking, car camping, and a multi‑night backpacking trek. Spots are limited, so grab yours while you can. If the trip you want fills up, join the waitlist! Links below:

🚣CIWC Easy Kayak Day on Somerset Lake - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6702430
Paddle into the weekend with CIWC!
Join us for an Easy Kayak Day on Somerset Lake — open to everyone. Three kayaks available or bring your own. Beautiful water, easy paddling, and a relaxing morning outdoors. September 5 • 8:00–11:00AM

⛺CIWC Fall Car Camping Weekend - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6635640
Ready for a relaxing fall weekend outdoors? Join CIWC at O’Bannon Woods State Park, Sept 18–20!
Expect hiking (8–10 miles), optional road biking, exploring the pioneer village, and cozy campfire nights with s’mores and singing. Bring your instrument if you want to join in.

🥾 CIWC North Country Trail (NCT) Backpacking - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6503887
Ready for a big fall adventure? Join CIWC for 5 days on the North Country Trail along the stunning Manistee River, Sept 20–25, 2026!
Expect moderate terrain, daily mileage of 9–12 miles, river views from high bluffs, and a mix of State Forest, private, and dispersed camping. You’ll even earn 50 miles toward the NCT Hike 100 Challenge

08/11/2026

Fall adventures are calling 🍂
CIWC has three great trips coming up—kayaking, car camping, and a multi‑night backpacking trek. Secure your spot while you still can! Don't pass up on a waitlist if the one you want fills up - life happens! Links for each of the trips is below:

🚣CIWC Easy Kayak Day - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6702430
Paddle into the weekend with CIWC!
Join us for an Easy Kayak Day on Somerset Lake — open to everyone. Three kayaks available or bring your own. Beautiful water, easy paddling, and a relaxing morning outdoors. September 5 • 8:00–11:00AM

🏕️CIWC Fall Car Camping Weekend - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6635640
Ready for a relaxing fall weekend outdoors? Join CIWC at O’Bannon Woods State Park, Sept 18–20!
Expect hiking (8–10 miles), optional road biking, exploring the pioneer village, and cozy campfire nights with s’mores and singing. Bring your instrument if you want to join in

🥾CIWC North Country Trail (NCT) Backpacking - Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6503887
Ready for a big fall adventure? Join CIWC for 5 days on the North Country Trail along the stunning Manistee River, Sept 20–25, 2026!
Expect moderate terrain, daily mileage of 9–12 miles, river views from high bluffs, and a mix of State Forest, private, and dispersed camping. You’ll even earn 50 miles toward the NCT Hike 100 Challenge

08/11/2026

🚣Paddle into the weekend with CIWC!
Join us for an Easy Kayak Day on Somerset Lake — open to everyone. Three kayaks available or bring your own. Beautiful water, easy paddling, and a relaxing morning outdoors.
September 5 • 8:00–11:00AM
Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6702430

07/08/2026

🥾 Ready for a big fall adventure? Join CIWC for 5 days on the North Country Trail along the stunning Manistee River, Sept 20–25, 2026!

Expect moderate terrain, daily mileage of 9–12 miles, river views from high bluffs, and a mix of State Forest, private, and dispersed camping. You’ll even earn 50 miles toward the NCT Hike 100 Challenge 💯

Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6503887

🌲 Trip Cost: $55
🎒 Difficulty: Moderate (Level 3 backpacking)
🚗 Carpooling help available
🍽 Meals on your own
📱 Cell coverage likely for much of the route
🔥 Overnight backpacking experience required

We’ll meet near Fife Lake after the 6‑hour drive from Indy and begin our 5‑day trek north along the river, finishing at the Manistee River Loop trailhead on Sept 25.

Adults only.
Questions: [email protected]