Middlebury to Elkhart/LaGrange
County line

This section is not open for public use.

Elkhart County Park and Recreation Department will build 2.4 miles of trail from York Dr. in Middlbury to the Elkhart/LaGrange County line in 2010. A parking lot will be built in the corridor on the west side of CR 43. 

Part of the route in Middlebury does not follow the railroad corridor due to a land exchange negotiated with a local business in 2004.

On the east side of Middlebury the trail crosses Mather Ditch on a 52 foot long wooden trestle bridge which was renovated in 2009.

Further east the trail passes behind manufactured housing and recreational vehicle factories. Most of the trees on the north side of the corridor were removed. Friends planted native cedar in the area in 2001. These trees grow slowly but will provide an attractive variety of flora as they mature.

 A large portion of the trail in this section is canopied by trees. Patches of trillium grow between CR 43 and the Elkhart/LaGrange County line. Trillium produces white and pink flowers in early May.

The trail between Middlebury and Shipshewana passes farms that use modern and traditional agricultural methods.

LaGrange County

This section is not open for public use.

This section of trail will be built by the Town of Shipshewana in 2010.

The trail crosses a wooden trestle bridge near the Elkhart/LaGrange County line and continues east through agricultural countryside. Meadow Lark school is on the south side of the trail at CR 1150.

Farther east the trail passes residences surounding the Shipshewana Lake. The lake is not visible from the trail. Sandhill cranes inhabit the wetlands around the lake and their calls can be heard from the trail.

 The Brethren Retreat Cente r has a camp on the south side of the trail.

 About 1000 feet north of the trail on CR 900 is the Chief Shipshewana Memorial.

The Pumpkinvine Trail ends at CR 850 about one-half mile west of Shipshewana. To reach the town proceed south on CR 850 and then turn east on CR 250 N (Middlebury St.).

Parking and restrooms are available in Shipshewana.

Galerina Folk Arts shop in downtown Shipshewana was originally the train depot.

Shipshewana is a popular tourist destination featuring traditional country life. Information for visitors is available at the Shiphshewana Town Center which also houses the Hochstetler Auto Museum. The museum is a collection of vintage Hudson automobiles.