LITTLE TURTLE WATERWAY TRAIL
The Little Turtle Waterway Trail was named after a respected Chief of the Miami, Little Turtle. The trail connects 18th Street, just north of the Wabash River, to the Little Turtle Waterway Plaza across the street from the old depot. The trail continues along the north side of the Wabash to the mouth of the Eel River following the Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad tracks.
LOCATION
County: Cass
City: Logansport
Mileage: 1.8
East Endpoint - Specific: 18th Street north of Wabash River
West Endpoint - General: Near Eel River Avenue and Melbourne Avenue
Notable Trailheads: Little Turtle Waterway Plaza
Near to US highways: US Highway 35, US Highway 24
TRAIL FEATURES
Type of Trail: Rail with Trail, River Trail
Surface: paved
Uses allowed: walking, biking, running, rollerblading
Wheelchairs allowed: yes
Which uses NOT allowed: Motorized
Attractive Features: Follows Railroad, Little Turtle Park, Wabash River
AGENCY INFORMATION
Logansport Parks & Recreation
1701 Dividend Dr.
Logansport, IN 46947
574-753-6969
More Information
This may not be the longest Indiana trail, but beside the Wabash River in Logansport lies the beautiful Little Turtle Waterway, a well-maintained, 1.3 mile asphalt path that follows the river with scenic views and history that make it a trail well worth experiencing.
Logansport is located at the confluence of the Wabash and Eel Rivers in north-central Indiana , an important place in this region for centuries, going back to the Miami Indians, the French and British exploits here, and ultimately, the evolution of the United States . The Wabash and Erie Canal and the railroad were important growth factors. Logansport also has a glacial prehistory, with mastodons and giant beavers among the inhabitants at that time. “Little Turtle” was a respected war chief and later peace advocate of the Miami , from whom the trail gets its name.
In the present day, the Little Turtle Waterway Plaza at Logansport (E Melbourne Avenue & S Fifth Street) is a trailhead for the Little Turtle, but also for future expansion of the trail system in the Logansport/Cass County region, which will include the historic Mill Race and Eel River Bluff Trails.You can park at the Plaza and at the depot on Melbourne Street , all within the heart of downtown Logansport .
The plaza has an impressive 32-foot gateway—a signal bridge from Logansport ’s railroad days. The plaza is also a gathering place for weddings and dinner theatres. In addition, there is ample outdoor art along with interpretive exhibits that depict environmental and cultural influences from the mix that is Logansport .
At the Plaza can also be found bike racks, benches, two stairways to the Wabash River , and a lower sidewalk along the river’s edge, which may be under water at certain times of the year. From the Plaza commence five blocks of this ADA-compliant pathway. The trail then passes through interesting neighborhoods and connects to bridges crossing the Wabash . Cass County Museum is within walking distance from the trail.
Volunteer workers have restored many native plant species along the way. At the east endpoint, near 5th Street , begins a dirt trail for walking or biking.
Logansport is the county seat of Cass County , with 21 different parks and recreational facilities which have golf, baseball fields, and swimming pools. Community events include A Taste of Cass County, the Independence Day celebration, Family Arts Festival, and a holiday festival of lights.