While it will take 4 inches of snow on the ground to make it happen, there is a change for cross-country skiing in the area at two Allen County parks and four state parks within driving distance.
Fox Island
7324 Yohne Road,
Fort Wayne
260-449-3180
This 605-acre park is located in southwest Allen County with 270 acres dedicated as a state nature preserve. It has seven miles of marked trails throughout the preserve with over six miles available for cross-country skiing. Equipment rental available on a limited basis. (When rental is not available skiers can still ski, but must bring own equipment.)
Ski rental hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to allow for all skiers to be accounted for before dark.
Metea County Park
8401 Union Chapel Rd., Fort Wayne, 260-449-3777
This 250-acre park near Leo-Cedarville contains the 120-acre Meno-aki State Nature Preserve and offers cross-country skiing. Some equipment rental is available. Rental hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Equipment rental at both sites is $6 per hour for adults and $5 per hour for children 12 ad younger. The parks do not take debit or credit cards, only cash or checks.
Acres Nature Preserves
Skis are welcome as long as they stay on the trails, but the trails are not designated for skiing and no equipment rental is available. There are 10 different preserves in Allen County and to locate one go to ACRESnaturepreserve.
Downtown FW Trails
Bring your own skis and hit the trails at Headwater Park in downtown Fort Wayne.
Nearby state parks are:
Chain O’Lakes
2355E 75S. Albion
260-636-2654
Ten miles of forested trails offered. Call for hours.
Pokagon State Park
Lake James, Angola
260-833-3506
Three cross-country skiing trails with equipment rental on weekends at the Civilian Conservation shelter for $8 per hour for adults and $5 per hour for those 15 and younger.
Salamonie Lake/Reservoir
9214 Lost Bridge Rd. W
260-468-2125
Offers nine trails ranging from 0.4 to 40 miles in length. Winter hours are 11 am. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
