Lafayette Orienteering Series November 2026

Welcome to the Lafayette Orienteering Series, a community-focused series of orienteering events designed for everyone—from complete beginners looking for a new adventure to experienced navigators seeking a competitive challenge. Whether you're discovering the sport of orienteering for the first time, improving your navigation skills, or simply looking for an enjoyable way to explore local parks and forests, our series offers something for every age and ability.

Throughout the series, participants will have the opportunity to visit a variety of unique locations across the West Lafayette/Lafayette area, each offering its own terrain, scenery, and navigational challenges. Every event is designed to encourage exploration, outdoor recreation, and the excitement of finding your own way through nature.

About the Series

The Lafayette Orienteering Series consists of 3 events held on the November 1st, November 8th, and November 15th (Sundays). Events are hosted at 3 different local parks throughout the Greater Lafayette Area.

Participants are welcome to attend single events or the entire series. Each event is organized by the Indiana Crossroads Orienteering Club (ICO) and made possible through the cooperation of our local parks, community partners, volunteers, and land managers.

Your First Event?

Never tried orienteering before? You have come to the right place!

Before each event, volunteers will provide a short introduction explaining how to read an orienteering map, use a compass, navigate between checkpoints, and use the electronic timing system. No previous experience is required, and participants are encouraged to ask questions before starting the course.

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for walking or running outdoors, along with sturdy shoes that can handle grass, dirt, and uneven terrain. Depending on the venue, long pants may be recommended.

Courses

Each event has a different variation of courses.

McAllister (November 1st)

The first event will offer a so-called "Score O" format, where all participants start at the same time and try to visit as many checkpoints as possible within a set time window. This is particularly suitable for beginners, since there is no specific course to complete. 

Purdue Cross Country Course & Horticulture Park (November 8th)

The second event will offer a common mass start and two or three different regular ("point-to-point") courses selected by participants based on their ambition level. 

Celery Bog (November 15th)

The third event will offer a set of individual start regular ("point-to-point") orienteering courses ranging from beginner (white) to long advanced (red). (Participants will be allowed to complete more than one course if time allows)

Timing

Noon-2 pm each of the three Sundays. The first two events will have common mass starts at 12:30, but plan to arrive by noon. The third event at Celery Bog will offer individual starts from noon-2pm (courses close at 3pm).

Registration

Online - in advance of each event (or the full series) only (so that we'll know how many maps to print). Registration link to be published here in the near future

Organizer/Questions

The primary organizer of this event series is ICO's own Junior National Team member Alex Eriksson. Please email Alex at eriksson.alexander.f at gmail for any questions.

Map snippets

Below you can see small snippets from the orienteering maps of the three different parks

McAllister Park

Located along the scenic Wabash River in north Lafayette, McAllister Park is one of the largest and most diverse public parks in the Greater Lafayette area. Spanning nearly 280 acres, the park features a beautiful mix of mature woodlands, open meadows, rolling river bluffs, and peaceful natural landscapes. Its expansive setting provides visitors with countless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors while experiencing one of the region's most picturesque parks.

In addition to its natural beauty, McAllister Park is home to several recreational amenities, including sections of the Wabash Heritage Trail, disc golf courses, picnic areas, and scenic overlooks of the river. Whether you're visiting for an orienteering event or simply spending time outdoors, the park offers a welcoming environment that showcases the rich natural character of the Wabash River corridor.

Celery Bog Nature Area

Celery Bog Nature Area is one of West Lafayette's most treasured natural preserves, encompassing nearly 200 acres of wetlands, restored prairie, woodlands, and open water. Originally used for commercial celery farming in the early twentieth century, the area has since been restored into a thriving ecosystem that supports hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and native plants. Today, it serves as both an important wildlife habitat and a beloved destination for outdoor recreation and environmental education.

Visitors can enjoy more than four miles of trails, scenic boardwalks and observation areas, and the Lilly Nature Center, which offers exhibits highlighting the area's ecology and history. With its peaceful atmosphere and remarkable biodiversity, Celery Bog provides a unique opportunity to experience one of Indiana's finest urban nature preserves.

Purdue Cross Country Course & Horticulture Park

Located on the west side of Purdue University's campus, the Purdue Cross Country Course and Horticulture Park combine to create one of the university's premier outdoor recreation areas. The Cross Country Course is nationally recognized for hosting collegiate competitions and championship events, while the adjacent Horticulture Park offers a peaceful escape into mature hardwood forest, winding trails, and open green spaces just minutes from campus.

Together, these two areas showcase the diversity of Purdue's outdoor landscape. Visitors can enjoy quiet wooded paths, broad grassy fields, and well-maintained natural areas that are used year-round for recreation, research, and education. The combination of athletic facilities and preserved natural environments makes this venue a unique destination for both the Purdue community and visitors to Greater Lafayette.