Destinations
Indiana outdoors
Lake Michigan dunes up north, rugged forested hills down south, and easy access from Indianapolis or Chicago.
Top parks in Indiana
See all 34 parks
Indiana Dunes
Fifteen miles of Lake Michigan shoreline backed by climbable sand dunes, an easy day trip from Chicago.
Brown County State Park
Indiana's largest state park: rolling forested ridges, a stone fire tower, the Hesitation Point overlook, a renowned mountain bike system, and Abe Martin Lodge.
Turkey Run State Park
Indiana's ladder-and-canyon classic: sandstone gorges along Sugar Creek, the famous Trail 3 scramble, a suspension bridge, an inn, and a busy campground.
Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana Dunes spans 2,182 acres with more than three miles of beach and towering sand dunes along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.
Clifty Falls State Park
Located near Madison, this 1,500-acre park features a rugged canyon, sheer cliffs, plunging waterfalls, and fossil-rich limestone.
McCormick's Creek State Park
Indiana's first state park features a limestone canyon, flowing creek, and scenic waterfalls, with trails, a fire tower, and historic CCC structures.
Shades State Park
Shades State Park southwest of Crawfordsville features sandstone cliffs over Sugar Creek, shady ravines, and the Pine Hills Nature Preserve.
Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park links nature and history through cave springs, a restored 1800s pioneer village, the Grissom Memorial, and a Twin Caves boat tour.
Pokagon State Park / Trine State Recreation Area
Pokagon State Park near Angola features rolling wooded hills, two lakes, historic CCC structures, and a refrigerated twin-track toboggan run.
Planning a Indiana trip
Indiana surprises people who expect nothing but flat farmland. The state splits into two very different outdoor stories. Up north, a stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline holds towering sand dunes, beaches, and rare habitat where you can summit a dune in the morning and walk a quiet bog trail by afternoon (the shoreline is anchored by the state's only national park). Down south, the land crumples into the wooded ridges and ravines of the hill country, home to Brown County State Park (Indiana's largest at roughly 16,000 acres) and the 200,000-plus acres of Hoosier National Forest, with sandstone canyons and waterfalls hiding at spots like Hemlock Cliffs.
If you want a short list, start with three: the Lake Michigan dunes for beach and big views, Brown County for fall color and miles of forest trail, and Turkey Run State Park in the west for its narrow canyon ladders and creek hikes. Together they cover most of what Indiana does best.
Timing matters more than you would think. Spring and fall are the sweet spot statewide: comfortable temperatures, active wildlife, and thinner crowds, with mid-October peaking for color in the southern hills. Summer brings warm days in the 80s F and the only real window for Lake Michigan swimming (the water sits around 65 F at its warmest in July through September), but it also brings packed beaches and full lots up north. Winter is quiet and underrated, with ice formations on the lakeshore and cross-country skiing in the hills.
Pack for layers and changeable footing. The dunes mean sand in your shoes, sun exposure, and wind off the lake, so sun protection, a windbreaker, and water shoes earn their place. The southern canyons mean wet rock, creek crossings, and mud, so grippy trail shoes and quick-dry layers beat anything you mind getting dirty. Year-round, a light rain shell and real hiking shoes will carry you through most of the state.
Getting around Indiana
Indiana is easy to reach and easy to drive. Indianapolis International (IND) is the main hub, central to the state and the natural base for the southern parks. For the Lake Michigan dunes up north, Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW) are actually closer than Indianapolis, roughly 50 miles from the lakeshore, so many dunes visitors fly into Chicago instead.
From Indianapolis, the southern outdoor areas are an easy day trip. Brown County State Park sits about 60 miles south, roughly a 1 to 1.5 hour drive. Turkey Run State Park is about 68 miles west, a little over an hour. Hoosier National Forest spreads across the south below Bloomington, generally 1.5 to 2.5 hours out depending on which trailhead you target.
The dunes are the long haul from the state capital: about 150 miles north, close to 3 hours of driving, which is exactly why Chicago is the smarter arrival point for that corner. A rental car is essential almost everywhere here. Trailheads and park entrances sit well outside town, transit between outdoor areas is minimal, and the payoff of having your own vehicle is that you can pair the northern lakeshore and the southern hills into one loop if you have a few days. Roads are flat and well maintained, so even the longer hauls are straightforward driving.
State park directory
Every Indiana state park
A source-backed inventory layer for planning breadth. Full Kit Authority guides are marked when a park has camping detail, rules, and packing notes; the rest link straight to the official page.
34 parks
2 full guides · 30 with photos
Brown County State Park
State Park
Indiana's largest park spans nearly 16,000 acres of rugged hills, ridges, and ravines and is a noted fall color destination with scenic vistas.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
Indiana State Parks
Full guideTurkey Run State Park
State Park
Turkey Run State Park southwest of Crawfordsville is known for deep sandstone ravines, aged forests, and scenic views along Sugar Creek.
- Picnicking
- Cabins
- Fishing
- Hiking
Indiana State Parks
Full guideBrookville Lake
State park system area
Brookville Lake is a 5,200-acre reservoir with two state recreation areas, two beaches, more than 25 miles of trails, and nationally known sport fishing.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Camping
Indiana State Parks
Official pageChain O' Lakes State Park
State Park
This northeastern Indiana park centers on nine connecting kettle lakes with 29 miles of forested trails, a beach, and a historic one-room schoolhouse.
- Paddling
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Cabins
Indiana State Parks
Official pageCharlestown State Park
State Park
Charlestown State Park offers rugged hills and deep ravines with scenic vistas of the Fourteenmile Creek valley and the Ohio River.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Playground
Indiana State Parks
Official pageClifty Falls State Park
State Park
Located near Madison, this 1,500-acre park features a rugged canyon, sheer cliffs, plunging waterfalls, and fossil-rich limestone.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Camping
- Swimming
Indiana State Parks
Official pageDeam Lake State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Deam Lake is a 194-acre lake named for Indiana's first state forester, offering fishing, boating, swimming, and camping.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Camping
Indiana State Parks
Official pageFalls of Ohio State Park
State Park
On the banks of the Ohio River, Falls of the Ohio protects 390-million-year-old fossil beds among the largest exposed Devonian beds in the world.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Indiana State Parks
Official pageFort Harrison State Park
State Park
This 1,700-acre park on the northeast side of Indianapolis features walking and jogging trails, fishing access to Fall Creek, and two national historic districts.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
Indiana State Parks
Official pageHardy Lake
State park system area
Hardy Lake is a water-supply reservoir and multi-use facility with a raptor center, offering hiking, swimming, boating, and camping.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Beach
Indiana State Parks
Official pageHarmonie State Park
State Park
Harmonie State Park sits on the banks of the Wabash River 25 miles northwest of Evansville with trails for walking, hiking, and mountain biking.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
Indiana State Parks
Official pageIndiana Dunes State Park
State Park
Indiana Dunes spans 2,182 acres with more than three miles of beach and towering sand dunes along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Fishing
Indiana State Parks
Official pageLincoln State Park
State Park
This 1,747-acre park marks the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln with 10 miles of trails, two scenic lakes, and an interpretive center.
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
Indiana State Parks
Official pageMcCormick's Creek State Park
State Park
Indiana's first state park features a limestone canyon, flowing creek, and scenic waterfalls, with trails, a fire tower, and historic CCC structures.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Nature Trails
Indiana State Parks
Official pageMississinewa Lake
State park system area
Mississinewa Lake is a 3,210-acre flood-control reservoir in north-central Indiana with excellent fishing, hunting, and boating plus a large campground.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Disc Golf
- Hiking
Indiana State Parks
Official pageMonroe Lake
State park system area
Monroe Lake is Indiana's largest lake, a 10,750-acre reservoir on 23,952 acres southeast of Bloomington and a stop on the Indiana Birding Trail.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Indiana State Parks
Official pageMounds State Park
State Park
Mounds State Park east of Anderson features 10 earthworks built by the prehistoric Adena-Hopewell people, including the Great Mound from around 160 B.C.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
Indiana State Parks
Official pageO'Bannon Woods State Park
State Park
O'Bannon Woods borders the Ohio River nestled inside the 2,400-acre Harrison-Crawford State Forest, with the scenic Blue River flowing through.
- Picnicking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Boating
Indiana State Parks
Official pageOuabache State Park
State Park
Ouabache State Park along the Wabash River near Bluffton features Kunkel Lake and a 20-acre American bison exhibit in a natural setting.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Fishing
- Boating
Indiana State Parks
Official pagePatoka Lake
State park system area
Patoka Lake is Indiana's second-largest reservoir, an 8,800-acre lake on nearly 26,000 acres with bald eagle nesting sites and ambassador raptors.
- Biking
- Boating
- Winter Sports
- Fishing
Indiana State Parks
Official pagePokagon State Park / Trine State Recreation Area
State Park
Pokagon State Park near Angola features rolling wooded hills, two lakes, historic CCC structures, and a refrigerated twin-track toboggan run.
- Winter Sports
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Indiana State Parks
Official pageProphetstown State Park
State Park
Indiana's newest state park sits where the Tippecanoe River meets the Wabash, with restored prairie, wetlands, and an aquatic center.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Camping
- Swimming
Indiana State Parks
Official pageSalamonie Lake
State park system area
Salamonie Lake is a 2,665-acre flood-control reservoir on 12,554 land acres with ponds, marshes, and wetlands offering scenic trails and wildlife viewing.
- Biking
- Boating
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
Indiana State Parks
Official pageShades State Park
State Park
Shades State Park southwest of Crawfordsville features sandstone cliffs over Sugar Creek, shady ravines, and the Pine Hills Nature Preserve.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing
Indiana State Parks
Official page
Show 10 more Indiana parks
Shakamak State Park
State Park
Shakamak State Park offers three man-made lakes with 400 acres of water for fishing and boating plus a family aquatic center.
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Cabins
- Fishing
Indiana State Parks
Official pageSpring Mill State Park
State Park
Spring Mill State Park links nature and history through cave springs, a restored 1800s pioneer village, the Grissom Memorial, and a Twin Caves boat tour.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Camping
- Swimming
Indiana State Parks
Official pageSummit Lake State Park
State Park
Summit Lake State Park near New Castle spans more than 2,680 acres with a large lake and excellent bird watching and wildlife observation.
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Paddling
- Fishing
Indiana State Parks
Official pageTippecanoe River State Park
State Park
Tippecanoe River State Park is a birding-trail stop with 23 miles of trails, varied habitats, and a WPA-built 90-foot fire tower.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Horseback Riding
Indiana State Parks
Official pageVersailles State Park
State Park
Indiana's second-largest state park rolls through southeastern hills with a 230-acre lake, more than 20 miles of horse trails, and Civil War history.
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
Indiana State Parks
Official pageWhitewater Memorial State Park
State Park
Part of the Brookville Lake complex, this park has a 200-acre lake, access to Brookville Reservoir, and 9 miles of horseback riding trails.
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Horseback Riding
- Cabins
Indiana State Parks
Official pageInterlake Off-Road State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Interlake is a roughly 3,550-acre former coal mine with nearly 100 miles of off-road vehicle trails and 17 lakes, many open for fishing.
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
Indiana State Parks
Official pagePotato Creek State Park
State Park
Potato Creek lies southwest of South Bend with the 327-acre Worster Lake, old fields, woodlands, restored prairies, and diverse wetlands.
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Boating
- Horseback Riding
Indiana State Parks
Official pageRedbird Off-Road State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Named for the historic Redbird Coal Mine, this 1,400-acre property offers miles of off-road vehicle trails plus fishing lakes, hiking, and mountain biking.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Boating
- Biking
Indiana State Parks
Official pageStarve Hollow State Recreation Area
State Recreation Area
Starve Hollow is a 280-acre property carved from Jackson-Washington State Forest with fishing, boating, and swimming on 145-acre Starve Hollow Lake.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
Indiana State Parks
Official page
Inventory source: USGS PAD-US 4.1. Photos are public-domain or Creative Commons via Wikimedia Commons, credited per image. Official reservations and rules remain state-specific, so use the state booking links before committing to dates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Indiana state parks?
Spring and fall are the best overall, with mild temperatures, active wildlife, and fewer crowds than summer. Mid-October is the standout for fall color in the southern hill country around Brown County. If your goal is swimming the Lake Michigan dunes, aim for July through September when the water is warmest, around 65 F, though beaches get crowded then.
What is the best national park in Indiana?
Indiana has one national park, Indiana Dunes National Park, on the Lake Michigan shoreline in the northwest corner of the state. It is known for tall sand dunes, swimming beaches, and surprisingly diverse habitat from bogs to oak savanna packed into a small area. It is roughly 50 miles from Chicago, making it an easy day trip from the city.
Where can I hike in southern Indiana?
Southern Indiana is the state's hill country and its best hiking. Brown County State Park offers miles of forested ridge-and-ravine trails and is the largest state park in Indiana. Nearby Hoosier National Forest has over 260 miles of trail, including standouts like Hemlock Cliffs with its sandstone canyon and seasonal waterfalls. Turkey Run State Park to the west adds dramatic narrow canyons and ladder climbs along the creeks.