Hillis Hans Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hillis Hans Park is a beautiful recreational area located in the state of Indiana.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park offers visitors several reasons to visit, including its scenic trails, stunning natural beauty, and various recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

One of the main attractions of Hillis Hans Park is its extensive trail network, which includes over 7 miles of hiking trails that lead through woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. The park's trails are also popular for bird watching, as the area is home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, hawks, and owls.

Other points of interest at the park include the historic Hillis House, which was built in the early 1900s and is now used as a visitor center and nature museum. The park also features a playground, picnic shelters, and a fishing pond stocked with a variety of fish species, making it a great spot for a family outing or a relaxing day out in nature.

Interesting facts about Hillis Hans Park include its unique history, which dates back to the early 1900s when the land was used as a farm. The park was named after Hillis Hans, who was a local farmer and businessman, and his wife, who donated the land to the city of Fort Wayne for use as a public park.

The best time of year to visit Hillis Hans Park depends on personal preference, as the park offers activities and attractions year-round. Spring and summer are popular times to visit, as the park's trails and green spaces are in full bloom, and the weather is warm and sunny. However, fall and winter can also be a great time to visit, as the park's fall foliage and winter snowscapes offer a unique and stunning view of the area's natural beauty.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks

View more

Nearby Fishing