One of the nation’s largest city parks
Eagle Creek Park features more than 1,400 acres of water and 3,900 acres of forest. It offers a wide variety of activities just minutes from downtown. Visitors enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, and more. Every visit to Eagle Creek Park provides a chance to catch a glimpse of a bald eagle.
The Eagle Creek reservoir was built to provide flood control, drinking water, and recreational opportunities and to preserve the natural landscape within the ever-growing Circle City. Eagle Creek Park has a wide variety of facilities and programs, including two nature centers (the Earth Discovery Center and the Ornithology Center), a swimming beach, a marina, hiking trails, playgrounds, canine companion zone, picnic shelters, and much more!
The park is supported by the Eagle Creek Park Foundation. Visit the foundation’s website to learn about efforts to protect and improve the park for current and future generations.
The Lilly Endowment Grant will invest $2.6 million to support accessibility upgrades for the Pin Oak Trail near the Earth Discovery Center, additional community program engagement, and the development of a documentary about the park’s history.
View the Eagle Creek Park history booklet for a brief history of the land and the people that occupied it.
Eagle Creek Park Nature Centers
Eagle Creek Park is home to the Earth Discovery Center and the Ornithology Center. At these centers, visitors learn about nature and the environment through fun, hands-on experiences. Both offer school field trips, family programs, summer day camps, and much more.
The Earth Discovery Center and Ornithology Center are open 10am-5pm, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 1pm-5pm Sundays, and closed on Mondays. Please call ahead if you are bringing a large group to visit (20 or more).
The Eagle Creek Park Ornithology center is closed for renovations starting on Jan. 6, 2025. The re-opening date is TBA, and will be posted on our website and social media pages at a later date.
Earth Discovery Center
The goal of the Earth Discovery Center is to introduce groups of all ages to the amazing diversity of plants and animals native to Indiana and foster a sense of wonder, enthusiasm, and stewardship for the natural world.
For more information, call or stop by the center, or visit www.indyparks.org for a list of our current programs, events, and activities. You can also follow the “Park Naturalist – Indy Parks and Recreation” Facebook page for more updates.
Ornithology Center
The Ornithology Center is a unique nature center that focuses on ornithology, the study of birds. The mission of the Ornithology Center is to inspire connections between people and the birds that they encounter, fostering wonder, stewardship, and protection for the natural world. Visit our building to see beautiful exhibits, relax in our wildlife observation areas, and learn about the birds of Eagle Creek Park! (Birds of ECP Checklist).
Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on birding news and to learn about upcoming events and happenings at Eagle Creek Park. Go to indyparks.org to find a list of our seasonal public programs including popular programs such as Homeschool Ornithology Club, Little Ducklings Preschool Series, October Owl Festival, Bird Fest, and Summer Day Camps.
The Ornithology Center is home to several Raptor Ambassadors, who are non-releasable birds of prey due to injury or imprinting that would prevent them from surviving in the wild. Several of these birds are on exhibit for the visitors to see during park hours inside the Carlsen Aviary and they are regularly featured in educational lessons & experiences. You can symbolically Adopt a Raptor through the Eagle Creek Park Foundation to help us to provide exemplary care, training, and enrichment for the birds. Visit eaglecreekpark.org/adopt-a-raptor/ to learn more.
Field trips and private programming
In addition to our seasonal public programs, both park nature centers offer environmental education field trips and private programming for schools, scouts, families, teachers, and other groups. We can also bring the nature to you with our Outreach Programs. Call 317-327-BIRD to schedule your own program today!
Rent a Shelter at Eagle Creek Park
Call 317-327-7110 to reserve a shelter at Eagle Creek Park.
Top Things to do at Eagle Creek Park
- Explore the Earth Discovery Center
- Learn about and interact with birds at the Ornithology Center
- Swim at Eagle Creek Beach
- Enjoy a walk on the hiking trails
- Try out the treetop adventure and ziplining with GoApe
- Check out the Peace Learning Center
Mary & John Geisse Soccer Complex at Eagle Creek Park Public Meeting Presentation
The presentation below was shared at a public meeting on December 12, 2024 about the progress and planning for Mary & John Geisse Soccer Complex at Eagle Creek Park.
