Travel Guide to Fairfax State Recreation Area

Getting There

• Public Transit

  To reach Fairfax State Recreation Area from downtown Bloomington using public transit, start by walking to the nearest bus stop for the Bloomington Transit system. You can catch Bus Route 1 (West 3rd St) or Bus Route 2 (East 3rd St) from the downtown area. If you're unsure of the nearest stop, look for the Bloomington Transit terminal at 100 W. Kirkwood Ave. Board the bus and ride it to the stop at 10th St and the Bypass (US-37). From there, you will need to transfer to a taxi or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) to cover the remaining distance to the recreation area, which is approximately 4 miles south on Fairfax Rd.

• Bicycle

  If you prefer biking, rent a bike from one of the local rental shops in Bloomington. Start your ride heading south on Walnut St, which turns into Fairfax Rd. Continue on Fairfax Rd until you reach the entrance of the Fairfax State Recreation Area, located at 8955-9013 S Fairfax Rd. Be mindful of traffic and stay on bike lanes where available. The ride is roughly 5 miles and will take about 30 minutes depending on your pace.

• Walking

  For an adventurous walk to Fairfax State Recreation Area, start from the downtown area. Head south on Walnut St, then take a left onto 3rd St. Continue walking until you reach the intersection with the Bypass (US-37). At this point, you will need to walk along the side of the highway as there are limited pedestrian paths. Proceed south on the Bypass until you reach Fairfax Rd. Turn right onto Fairfax Rd, and follow it until you reach the park entrance. This walk is approximately 5 miles and may take around 1.5 to 2 hours, so be prepared for an extended journey.