4 Indiana State Parks You’ll Love

To experience the diverse landscape of Indiana (Hoosier State), here are four state parks you might not want to miss out on.

Just a little foreword about the state itself. In the heart of the Midwestern United States, Indiana is best known for its agricultural landscapes and scenery, its vast fields of corn and golden wheat are its identifying features. However, and despite popular belief, Indiana is also a home to wild and rugged landscapes that are little known to its visitors. So if you haven`t heard about Indiana waterfalls or cross-country hiking trails in Indiana state parks – you should definitely read this article.

Just an hour’s drive from the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, large sand dunes and vast shorelines await you, while a little further south you’ll find glacier-carved ravines and capricious water falls in Indiana.

Indiana Dunes State Park

Just over 50 miles southeast of Chicago, Indiana Dunes State Park could be found. It encompasses nearly 900 acres of beautiful scenery, including a 24-kilometer stretch along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The highlight of the park is its beaches, bordered by rolling sand dunes that can rise up to 200 feet high. This park also offers opportunities for those who enjoy fishing, bird watching, biking, hiking and camping. Spring and summer are the best times to visit. However, the park doesn’t lose its beauty in spring, with all its fall colors magnificence, and stays open for cross-country skiing in the winter.

Indiana Dunes State Park is popular for its beaches along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Chain O’ Lakes State Park

At Chain O’ Lakes State Park in northern Indiana (about 200 kilometers northeast of Indianapolis), a chain of nine lakes offers boating, swimming and fishing amongst the scenery of serene paradise. You can kayak or canoe on the nine lakes, or, if you prefer to stay on land, hike the 10 miles of forested trails. To learn more about the local wildlife, spend some time in the nature center, housed in a small old schoolhouse. Chain O’ Lakes is quite popular in the summer, but the shimmering fall colors cast a beautiful glow on the lakes in autumn and are worth to observe.

Chain O’ Lakes State Park is a perfect playground for those who enjoy canoeing, kayaking and swimming.

Clifty Falls State Park

570 acres of Clifty Falls State Park is another go to place to enjoy the canyons and incredible hiking trails along the Ohio River coupled with waterfalls in Indiana. This park is the southeasternmost park in  Indiana (about 70 kilometers northeast of Louisville, Kentucky, and 120 kilometers southwest of Cincinnati, Ohio), and one that should be on the checklist for fossils enthusiasts. Clifty Creek has numerous coral and marine animal footprints that are “touch with your eyes” only, as fossil collecting is not allowed in the park. Another must-see feature is an intersection of two canyons in this park. One is Clifty Creek Canyon: Deans Branch, home to Tunnel Falls, and the other is Hoffman Branch, where hiking trails lead to beautiful Hoffman Falls. Camping options are plentiful, but the Clifty Inn offers more comfortable accommodations if you’re not a fan of tents. Check this vacation rentals website for more accommodation options near Clifty Falls.

If you don’t want to look for fossils in Clifty Falls State Park anymore, follow one of the many hiking trails or spend time admiring the best waterfalls in Indiana.

Brown County State Park

Southern Indiana is also home to the largest park in the entire state, Brown County State Park. With nearly 6,500 acres of steep ridges, ravines and forests, this beautiful wilderness area has earned the nickname “Little Smokies” because of its similarities to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. Located about 50 miles south of Indianapolis, Brown County State Park features extensive hiking trails in Indiana with waterfalls and biking trails, not to mention tennis courts and a swimming pool. But horseback riding may be the best way to experience the park. Guided rides on the 110 miles of equestrian trails are offered year-round.

The rolling hills and lush forests of Brown County State Park are reminiscent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Choose any option and find time next weekend to visit Indiana state parks with waterfalls or spend time with family or friends at any location: hiking, kayaking or just walking around.