FRIDAY OPTIONS

PUMPKINVINE NATURE TRAIL

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, just ten miles west of Lagrange, home of the Amishland & Lakes ride, is a 17-mile (34 round trip) paved, tree-lined rails-to-trails multi-use path that connects Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM LAGRANGE TO SHIPSHEWANA

The easiest route is to take IN-9 north from Lagrange and then turn left (west) on County Road 200 N. At IN-5, turn right (north) and this takes you into Shipshewana and turn right (east) on to Deport Street.

WHERE TO START

The trail map suggests various locations, but the best for Amishland participants is at the eastern end of the trail at the trailhead by North Park and the baseball diamonds, inside Shipshewana, which is worth visiting for its own sake. In 2022, the trail was extended to the east side of Shipshewana, so you can park in one of the nearby lots. Other start locations can be found on the trail map.

PARKING

The closest parking to the new trailhead is the lot near Deport Street and Talmadge St by North Park and the baseball diamonds. There is also parking avaible by IN-5 between Maple and Walnut Streets. This lot also has restrooms. There are other lots nearby in downtown Shipshewana.

RIDING THE TRAIL

You can download/print a map of the trail. However, the trail is well marked, and no maps are needed. There is a lot of information about the trail on the Pumpkinvine website.

FOOD, DRINK, AND MORE

SHIPSHEWANA

For before or after your ride, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and ice cream shops in Shipshewana. Shipshewana also has many shops selling Amish goods and the Menno-Hof museum, which traces the history of the Amish. For information, see the Visit Shipshewana website.

MIDDLEBURY

is six miles from the trailhead. Krider Gardens, adjacent to the trail right after you cross the Little Elkhart River, is a good picnic spot. There is a Dairy Queen just as you arrive (416 N Main St) with additional options downtown, just east of the trail as it proceeds south through town. A spur trail will take you to Das Essenhaus Inn for Amish fare.

GOSHEN

is at the western end of the trail, sixteen miles from Shipshewana. Abshire Park is another picnic spot. Or continue through Abshire Park to Lincoln Avenue and go west into downtown Goshen, which has a variety of options.

RESTROOMS

See trail map for locations. There are also restrooms in the Shipshewana parking lot and at Krider Gardens in Middlebury.