What we’re about
Welcome to the Evansville Outdoors Co-op, a fresh new cooperative of outdoor enthusiasts dedicated to helping you find inspiration in the great outdoors.
Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or just starting your journey, we at Evansville Outdoors believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore in a supportive and open environment.
Our mission is simple: to create a space where every member feels valued, supported, heard, and, above all, inspired. With Evansville Outdoors, you're not just joining a club; you're becoming part of a group whose goal is to make unforgettable outdoor experiences available to everybody.
What makes us different?
- Inclusive Adventures: Dive into new experiences in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere where there's something for everyone.
- Family Fun: We're passionate about nurturing the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts with family-friendly events that ignite the love for nature.
- Your Voice Matters: This is your club! Members and organizers collaborate to shape our path. We elect officers and vote on important decisions—no top-down approach here!
- Safety & Respect: Our priority is your safety and ensuring a respectful environment, guaranteeing everyone's positive experience.
Adventure awaits with Evansville Outdoors!
If you're interested in joining, please check out our Rules and Guidelines. When you're ready to join, send us a New Member Agreement to acknowledge these policies and sign a Liability Waiver..
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Orienteering in Morgan-Monroe State ForestMorgan-Monroe State Forest, Martinsville, IN
Do you often find yourself lost? Wish you had a better sense of direction? Practice reading a map and blazing your own trail on a two part beginner and advanced course that'll teach us how to get unlost! We'll visit and practice our navigational skills on the permanent Orienteering courses in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Morgan-Monroe Pathfinder Trail Orienteering Course is a great way to ease into orienteering as this is a two part course. The compass course is set up to learn and practice how find our bearings and count our paces with 9 controls set along an established trail. Once you get the hang of how to find your way, the last control of the compass course becomes the first of the 16 control advanced course that is all off trail.
Can we find our way?
Plan to meet at East Side Lowe's at 8:00 AM (CST). We'll carpool to the Forest where we'll spend the day. Orienteering begins by 10:45a (CST). Bring a picnic lunch. We'll wrap up around 3:00pm.
WHERE/WHEN TO MEET:
== ALL TIMES LISTED IN CENTRAL STANDARD (CST) ==
8:00a - Meet at Lowe's to carpool
10:30a - Arrive at Forest
10:45a - Discuss routes and begin orienteering
12:00p - Lunch at Picnic area
3:00p - Finish course
5:30p - Arrive in EvansvilleWHO SHOULD JOIN:
- Adventurers who don't mind getting a little bit lost.
- People who like to blaze their own trail.
- People who hate modern technology and want to pretend it's pre-1990 again.
- Cartographers (map-lovers)
- Competitive people. (Remember, this IS a sport, and sometimes a race!)
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:
- a compass (REQUIRED)
- a printed map (REQUIRED -- see links below)
- your favorite trail shoes (expect some mud off-trail)
- water (for drinking) and snacks
- Picnic lunch (in a cooler in the car)
- Sunscreen and Bug spray
- walking stick or hiking poles (optional)
WHAT TO CONSIDER LEAVING BEHIND:
- your cell phone
- your GPS (no cheating!)
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:
- Terrain is moderate, there will be hills.
- There may be upwards of 150ft of elevation gain between points.
- Only the compass course is near a trail. The advanced course is entirely off trail.
- Compass Course is approx. .75 miles.
- Advanced Course is approx. 4 miles straight line distance (Our distances will be greater depending on navigation) .
- There is a vault toilet at the Scout Ridge Shelter House.
COST:
- None
GROUND RULES:
- No children
- Dogs permitted on a six-foot leash only.
MAPS / INFORMATION:
- Lowe's Oak Grove (Carpool): https://goo.gl/maps/EzL8AnkaUQSeXAMg8
- Trailhead Parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7fktZLktFuNeMnQG7
- Control Point Map (IN DNR) (this is best printed in full color!): https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/fo-MorganMonroeOrienteeringMap.pdf
- Morgan Monroe Trail Map (IN DNR): https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/fo-morgan-monroe-map.pdf
- Park Website: https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/morgan-monroe-state-forest/
- Columbia Mine Preserve (Day Hike and Exploration)Columbia Mine Preserve, Winslow, IN
Several short trails meander through a mix of wetlands, prairies, and wooded areas adjacent to the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Length: 5-8 miles (with many opportunities to bail early).
## WHAT TO BRING
- Orange vest -- it's hunting season!
- Sturdy shoes for hiking
- Long pants
- Day Bag
- Water (for drinking) and snacks
- Packed lunch (eaten on trail)
- Sunscreen and Bug spray
- Walking stick or hiking poles (optional)
- Clean shoes for the car ride (leave in the car)
## WHEN/WHERE
==ALL TIMES LISTED IN CST ==
09:00 - meet at Lowe's to Carpool (optional)
09:45 - arrive at trailhead
12:00 - lunch on trail
14:30 - wrap up hike
15:00 - arrive in Evansville## NOTES
- I expect these trails to be overgrown and infrequently used, which is why we're visiting in the winter, when it should present less an issue.
- If it's rained recently, there will be mud. We'll avoid those areas.
- This trail system crosses time zones multiple times!
## GROUND RULES
- Leave no trace, and pack out all your trash.
- Children permitted with legal guardian.
- Dogs only on a 6-ft fixed leash.
## MAPS / INFORMATION
Carpool from Lowe's (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/zirDCF5pCRUGr8zS9
Parking (Google Maps):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RLkMzCFFNnMyCtjQA
Property Map: https://sycamorelandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Patoka-Wildlife-Refuge-Columbia-Mine-Map-Only.pdf - Birdseye TrailBirdseye Trail, Hoosier National Forest, Birdseye, IN
Awake from your post-holiday slumber, and get your winter hike on!
- Difficulty: Moderate, with a few steep climbs.
- Length: up to 6.5 to 9 miles (see notes)
## WHAT TO BRING
- Orange vest -- it's hunting season!
- Sturdy shoes for hiking
- Day Bag
- Water (for drinking) and snacks
- Packed lunch (eaten on trail)
- Sunscreen and Bug spray
- Walking stick or hiking poles (optional)
- Clean shoes for the car ride (leave in the car)
## WHEN/WHERE
==ALL TIMES LISTED IN CST ==
7:30a - Meet at Lowe's to Carpool
9:00a - Arrive at trailhead
11:00a - Lunch on trail
3:00p - Wrap up hike
4:30p - arrive in Evansville## GROUND RULES
- Leave no trace, and pack out all your trash.
- No children.
- Dogs on a 6-ft fixed leash. Can be off-leash only while on trail.
## NOTES
- The trail is a combination of dirt paths, old roadbeds, and existing roads.
- We will hike a minimum of 6.5mi, but as we approach 5mi, we can extend the hike to 9mi if everyone decides they're up for more distance.
- Gross elevation gain is +/- 900ft.
## MAPS / INFORMATION
Carpool from Lowe's (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/zirDCF5pCRUGr8zS9
Trailhead (Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/ABhR2zoBpkjwaKkAA
Trail Map (USDA): https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5287074.pdf
![Open Forum for Members [Winter 2025] cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/5/b/0/event_524326512.webp "Open Forum for Members [Winter 2025]")
