While Northwest Indiana may be caught in the throes of winter at the moment, it’s never too early to start planning spring and summer activities! If you’re interested in getting away from it all but don’t want to travel too far from home, then head out to Northern Indiana's Tippecanoe River Valley and see what events are taking place in Pulaski County.
Nathan Origer, executive director of the Pulaski County Department of Community Development, says that Pulaski has much to offer visitors, especially those who enjoy fresh air and the great outdoors.
“Pulaski County offers many amenities that give visitors a chance to take a break from day-to-day life,” Origer said. “That’s our biggest selling point. Whether they visit Tippecanoe River State Park, spend some time on the Tippecanoe River, or enjoy one of the many trails we have to offer, visitors can unplug, connect with others, and enjoy nature.”
Origer says that visitors to Pulaski County should be sure to check out Tippecanoe River State Park once the weather begins to warm up. The park has a variety of camping options and plenty of fishing locations. It also boasts about 23 miles of hiking trails, 14 of which are designated horse trails. This spring, visitors can watch as flocks of sandhill cranes return to the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area as they complete their migration from the south.
Visitors wanting to ride on the Tippecanoe River can rent canoes, kayaks, and inner tubes from one of two livery shops along the river: Riverside Rentals, which is located in Winamac, and Tippy-canoe, which can be found at the Rising Sun Campground. If visitors would rather take to the Tippecanoe in their own watercraft, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources manages several launching points along the river they can use. These sites can be found at locations like Monterey Town Park, and Winamac Town Park.
Origer says that the Panhandle Pathway is another must-see Pulaski County-based attraction. This 22-mile trail stretches along the old railbed of the historic Pennsylvania Railroad (or the Panhandle Railroad). It can be enjoyed by cyclists and hikers alike. The Friends of the Panhandle Pathway, an organization committed to the preservation of the trail, holds a group bike ride called Moonlight Over the Tippy each year. This popular evening event sees participants depart the Winamac Train Depot for a 20-mile round-trip ride along the trail before returning to the depot for a pulled pork sandwich meal. This year’s Moonlight Over the Tippy will be held on Friday, June 6. Click here for registration information.
Visitors in the mood for a few relaxing rounds of golf can try out one of the many golf courses that are located in Pulaski County. These include Moss Creek Golf Course & Banquet Center, Pond View Golf Course, and the Chesapeake Run Golf Club.
Located in Winamac, Fort Knox Paintball, the world’s premier paintball park, boasts 15 unique themed maps that are sure to give players hours of action-packed combat. Although Fort Knox accommodates walk-ons and private parties, the park is best known for its “Big Games.” One of the most popular of these is the annual “XBox V.S. Playstation” event, which will be held from April 12-13 this year. Players can also demonstrate their paintball prowess at one of the next two annual “Big Games” this summer: “World War 2,” which will be held from July 12-13, and “Marvel V.S. DC,” which will be held from September 6-7. You can learn more information about Fort Knox Paintball and its upcoming “Big Games” here.
On July 17-20, Northern Indiana Power from the Past, an organization committed to educating the public about the machines that have played instrumental roles in American industry through the years, will be holding its annual Winamac Power Show. This event will exhibit machinery like antique tractors, steam engines, antique chainsaws, and corn elevators. It will also feature a flea market, children’s games, and even a historical working village. You can learn more information about the 2025 Tractor Show here.
This summer, visitors to Pulaski County can attend two local town festivals. The first is the Medaryville Potato Festival, which will take place on August 15-17. This festival was revived in 2024 after being on hiatus for 16 years. It features a car, truck, and bike show, food vendors, and live music performances. Where better to celebrate the terrific tuber than in Medaryville, “home of the #1 Spud?”
During the Memorial Day 2025 weekend, August 30-September 1, visitors can attend the Monterey Days Festival. This event, which has been a tradition since 1997, celebrates the town of Monterey and offers a variety of fun activities for the whole family. These include potato sack races, a Hillbilly Cart Run, and even a parade!
Origer looks forward to the year’s upcoming events and is confident that visitors will find many things to enjoy about the attractions and events found in Pulaski County.
“The attractions in Pulaski County exhibit some of the many things rural Northwest Indiana has to offer,” Origer said. “My hope is that first-time visitors to Pulaski County will see that there is a lot more to the Region than cornfields, soybean fields, and hay fields. After only an hour’s drive, they can enjoy the quietness and slower pace of rural Northwest Indiana life right here in Pulaski County. They can relax, immerse themselves in the natural world, or attend an event. There are so many activities to choose from!”
You can learn more about the events taking place in Pulaski County this year by visiting pulaskionline.org.
