Episode 20Travel & OutdoorsWest Central

Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area: Learning to Be Brave

IN the Parks·Allison Martin·Oct 13, 2026·26 min
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Show Notes

Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area in Dugger is Indiana’s first state off-roading property and another epic spot for driving, riding, and hiking! This park provided me with a chance to be a little braver than I wanted to be, but was I ready to take advantage of it and do a little off-roading myself? At Redbird, the mining history is visible with every hill and drop off, so you better learn to be brave!

If you visit Redbird to ride, don’t forget the park fees are a little different. You’ll need to pay a different (but still small) fee if you plan to take a motorized vehicle on the trails. Check the park’s website to learn more.

The dates for this season’s night rides are April 18 for the Spring Night Ride, July 25 for Trails for Tikes Night Ride, and Oct. 24 for Hall-O-Wheelin.

You are going to learn about:

  • Why Redbird and Interlake look so different from each other (hint: it’s the mines!)
  • Powerline: the gnarliest off-roading hill!
  • Tips to become braver and my attempt at off-roading
  • The epic views from the overlooks
  • The best times to ride at Redbird
Episode Details
Show
IN the Parks
Category
Travel & Outdoors
Topic
IN the Parks
Region
West Central
Duration
00:25:43
Published
Oct 13, 2026
About the Host
Allison Martin
Allison Martin
Host · IN the Parks

Allison Martin tells the stories behind Indiana's state parks: the best trails, the campgrounds, the history and the corners worth the drive.

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Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro
  2. 01:16What Makes Redbird Off-Road SRA Distinct from Interlake Off-Road SRA
  3. 01:40Meet the Assistant Property Manager
  4. 01:56Indiana’s Coal History & the Mining in the Area
  5. 04:42Converting from a Mine to a State Recreation Area
  6. 06:25Off-Roading Options for Everyone
  7. 07:51First Impressions of the Park
  8. 08:45Meet the Redbird Staff Who Taught Me to Be Brave
  9. 10:23Tip #1 to Be Brave – Watch Someone Else Do It
  10. 11:35Tip #2 & Tip #3 to Be Brave – Gain Confidence From a Friend and Know the Terrain
  11. 13:56Tip #4 to Be Brave – Have a Healthy Fear
  12. 14:14The Difference Between Big Bertha and Powerline Hills
  13. 15:05Powerline Hill
  14. 18:03Night Ride Information
  15. 19:18Features for Kids and Young Riders
  16. 20:21My Off-Roading Attempt and View from the Top
  17. 21:28Favorite Staff Spots
  18. 23:22Bravery in All Areas of Life

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

The useful details, answered clearly and without the digging.

01

What is Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area?

Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area, in Dugger, is Indiana's first state off-roading property. It is a spot for driving, riding and hiking, and its mining history shows in every hill and drop off.

02

Why does Redbird look so different from Interlake?

The mines. The episode explains that Redbird and Interlake Off-Road SRA look very different from each other because of the mining history at Redbird, which was converted from a mine into a state recreation area.

03

What is Powerline hill at Redbird?

Powerline is described in the episode as the gnarliest off-roading hill at Redbird. The host also compares it with the Big Bertha hill and tries it, with a view from the top.

04

Does Redbird have night rides?

Yes. This season's night rides are the Spring Night Ride on April 18, the Trails for Tikes Night Ride on July 25, and Hall-O-Wheelin on Oct. 24.

05

Does it cost extra to ride at Redbird?

Yes. If you take a motorized vehicle on the trails, you pay a different (but still small) fee than regular park visitors. The episode points listeners to the park's website for the details.

06

Is Redbird good for kids and beginners?

The episode covers off-roading options for everyone, features for kids and young riders, and four tips for riding braver. The Trails for Tikes Night Ride is one of the season's night rides.

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