There are plenty of worthwhile stops on a road trip across Indiana, from Indiana Dunes National Park – home to a beach that could almost pass for the Mediterranean – to Bluespring Caverns, where you can boat along America’s longest navigable underground river. One outdoor attraction not to miss if you’re passing through south-central Indiana in spring is Azalea Path Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, a hidden gem with lakes and meandering walking trails framed by beautiful flowers.
Located 3 hours east of St. Louis and 2 hours west of Louisville in Hazelton, Indiana, Azalea Path is a 50-acre property privately owned and operated by a local couple, Steve and Beverly Knight. They have carefully landscaped the grounds with a range of native trees, rare plants, and more than 300 varieties of azaleas — one of the largest azalea collections in the Midwest. If you love azaleas, consider planning a vacation around the North Carolina Azalea Festival, a yearly event with stunning seasonal blooms and live entertainment held in Wilmington each spring.
Discover Azalea Path Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
It’s true that these gardens are not part of a state or city park. But if you’re expecting a modest roadside attraction, think again. Azalea Path feels like a magical secret garden, with vibrant blooms and quiet paths leading past picturesque water features, including two spring-fed lakes, a koi pond, and a waterfall.
There’s just one catch: The botanical gardens are open seasonally for only 2 months each year, from April 1 to June 1. According to the Gibson County Visitors & Tourism Directory, the peak blooming season is even shorter, lasting only a few weeks from late April through early May. “Our garden changes daily,” wrote the owners on their Facebook page. “As the early bloomers fade away, our mid-spring and late spring bloomers will just be starting. This is all dependent on Mother Nature.”…