Everything you need to know before joining us on the trails

Trail Information


Pumpkinvine Trail Map



The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, the Maple City Greenway and the MapleHeart Trail are a regional network of trails that connect Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana. The interactive map below is intended assist you when visiting these trails.


Pumpkinvine & Connected Trails



Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana are connected by three trails totaling 25 miles: MapleHeart Trail, Wilden Avenue Trail and Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.  Currently one half mile of trail, between Middlebury and Goshen is on county road.


The trail surface is asphalt except for 1.75 miles of packed limestone surface from SR 5 to CR 28 northeast of Goshen. Four public parks, Oak Ridge Park, Ox Bow Park, Abshire Park and Krider Garden, along the trails provide parking and restrooms.

Pumpkinevine Bike Ride Gallery 4

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Trail Etiquette



General Trail Rules & Etiquette

  • Trail is open sunrise to sunset.
  • No unauthorized motor vehicles, mobility assisted devices are authorized.
  • Stop and look for cross traffic at intersections.
  • Leave plants and wildlife in their natural settings.
  • No hunting or trapping.
  • No weapons; with the exception of firearms that may not be discharged.
  • Horses are prohibited.
  • Pets must be on a leash (maximum six feet), clean up pet waste.
  • Alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
  • No littering or disposing of refuse.
  • Fireworks are not allowed.
  • No fires and camping.
  • Stay on the trail and respect the rights and privacy of adjacent neighbors.
  • Walk and ride on the right and pass on the left after sounding an alarm.
  • Walkers and runners have the right-of-way.
  • Be cautious and stay to the right on curves, underpasses, bridges and intersections.
  • Do not block the trail.

The trail speed limit is 15 miles per hour.

Mobility Devices & ADA Policy

VIEW PDF

Electric Bicycle Policy

Class 1

Allowed on Trail
Class 1 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the operator is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.

Class 2

Allowed on Trail
Class 2 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and ceases or to provide assistance when it reaches a speed of 20 miler per hour.

Class 3

NOT allowed on Trail
Class 3 electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the operator is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.

Trail Access



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Bike Rentals


The following businesses rent bicycles for use on the Trail.


Lincoln Avenue Cycling & Fitness

Goshen, IN

430 W. Lincoln Ave., Goshen, IN 46526


574.533.7425

Rent: bicycles

Store Hours
  • Monday-Friday: 10am - 6pm
  • Saturday: 9am - 4pm
  • Sunday: closed

Pumpkinvine Cyclery

Middlebury, IN

413 N. Main St. Middlebury, IN 46540


574.825.2252

Rent: bicycles, tag-alongs, and kids carts

Store Hours:
  • Tuesday-Friday: 10am - 6pm
  • Saturday: 9am - 4pm
  • Sunday & Monday: closed

Lodging & Tourist Information


Elkhart and LaGrange Counties have numerous hotels, motels, inns, bed & breakfasts and campgrounds in or near Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana. These two counties are popular tourist destinations featuring quilt gardens, traditional country life, crafts and foods. The following websites have extensive listings of lodging opportunities.

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Trail Management



Managing Agencies

Presented below are the Local Parks Departments & Municipalities that manage and maintain the Pumpkinvine and it's connecting trails.

The trail systems managed by these agencies are:
  • MapleHeart Trail
  • Maple City Greenway
  • Ridge Run Trail
  • Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

The responsibilities of the managing agencies are:
  • Review and approval of events along the trail.
  • Implementation and enforcement of trail rules and regulations.
  • Maintenance of the trail and trail amenities.
  • Maintain adequate liability insurance.
  • Volunteer recruitment.

Pumpkinvine Advisory Committee

The managing agencies above and Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail have formed an oversight committee, the Pumpkinvine Advisory Committee, to carryout the following objectives:

  • Build consensus on how the trails will be managed and maintained.
  • Provide an outlet for communication and evaluation of issues related to the trails.
  • Develop consistent approaches and policies for management and maintenance of the trails.
  • Identify needed and available resources to manage and maintain the trails.
  • Advise and recommend approaches to managing and maintaining the trails.
  • Review requests for funding and provide recommendations to the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail for funding trail projects.

Managing Agencies Responsible for Various Sections of the Trail

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is managed collaboratively by four local park departments. Mile markers are color coded to help identify the respective managing agency. Use the contact information below for inquiries relating to specific segments of the trail.


Goshen Parks & Recreation

SR 4 to CR 28

Tanya Heyde

574.534.2901

goshenparks@goshencity.com


Middlebury Park Department

US 20 to York Dr.

Tom Enright

574.825.1499

parks@middleburyin.com


Elkhart County Parks

CR 28 to US 20 & York Dr. to Elkhart Co. Line

Nick Steele

574.535.6458

nsteele@elkhartcounty.com


Town of Shipshewana

Elkhart/LaGrange Co. Line to 850 W

Bob Shanahan

260.768.4743

townmanager@shipshewana.org


Please use the color bars above to identify the trail jurisdictions on the map below:

Plan a Trail Event


The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is managed by Goshen Parks and Recreation Department, Elkhart County Parks, Middlebury Parks Department and the Town of Shipshewana. These agencies together with Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail constitute the Pumpkinvine Advisory Council (PAC) which forms policy and management practices for the trail. The trail is a public facility for use by individuals and groups and governed by the trail rules and etiquette.
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Scheduling Your Event

  1. Download the Event Guidelines Checklist.
  2. Read section 2.0 Applicability & Event Requirements in the Event Guidelines Checklist to determine whether you need to obtain PAC approval for your event.
  3. If you need PAC approval, check the list of scheduled events below on this page to avoid a possible conflict with another event.
  4. Follow the instructions in the downloaded document to seek PAC approval. If you need approval for your event, complete the Pumpkinvine Event Registration Form.

Purpose of Trail Event Guidelines

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is open to the public and operated for the benefit and enjoyment of all users. Occasionally, groups or individuals may wish to hold a special event on the trail that could reduce the full enjoyment of the trail by others. The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail Event Guidelines and Application outlines the requirements for holding Trail Events.