This is a time of year when families get together, often with not much else to do but be a family. If you’re looking for some place to go for a nice hike, check out these three trails at Croft State Park. All are pretty easy in terms of terrain and way-finding. Each will give you a glimpse of a different element of the park, from lakeside to creekside to hillside. If you go for a hike, take a photo and post it to our Facebook page. Find more details about these hikes at hikecroft.com.

1. Lake Johnson Trail (1.5 miles) This trail loops around Lake Johnson, the smaller of the lakes at Croft State Park. With views of the lake nearly the entire time, this trail is a sure crowd pleaser. Add in that it is one of the least difficult trails at Croft and you have the makings of a wonderful family outing. This loop requires some road walking. Park at Lake Johnson (on Johnson Lake Road—I know) and start off behind the picnic shelter.

2. The Nature Trail (1.5 miles) This trail starts near the riding ring in the center of the park, and parallels the Fairforest Creek for a good ways, then returns higher up the hillside above the creek. You also pass an old iron bridge near the site of Foster’s Mill, remnants from the long history of the Croft area. Park near the Park Office.

3. Fern Gully Trail (1.75 miles total) The Fern Gully Trail itself is a little less than a mile long (it links two other sections of trail for the loop), but it provides plenty of punch. Access to this trail is easiest from the Southside Park area; start off on Southside Loop (either way). The first trail intersection you come to will be Fern Gully. The Trail traverses the drainages that flow down into the Fairforest Creek through an established hardwood forest. Not much up-and-down here, but plenty of twists and turns.