If you’re anything like us, you enjoy a good old-fashioned day on the road. There’s just something about road trips that are especially magical, and we are hopelessly obsessed. In the past, we’ve brought you some outstanding ones, like the spectacular Indiana waterfalls road trip, but let’s be honest: sometimes, depending on distance, gas prices, and whether or not you’ll need a hotel, the costs can add up. So, that’s why we’ve created this: a delightful one-day adventure where you’ll visit four of the most beautiful state parks in Indiana all for under $100 – theoretically, this includes the cost of gas, as you’ll be driving just 146 miles one-way and most (not all, but most) vehicles should be able to do two ways on one tank. So gas up and let’s head out – we’ve got some fantastic state parks to check out on this delightfully affordable road trip in Indiana. Visit Google Maps to follow along. When it comes to affordable trips in Indiana, we got you covered! Let’s go!

Google Maps
1. Our first stop/starting point is none other than Brown County State Park, famous for its overwhelming natural beauty.
Elizabeth Nicodemus/Flickr
Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Photographer/Flickr
You know, there are LOTS of reasons Brown County is considered to be the most breathtaking region of the Hoosier State. This park is absolutely beyond awesome, in every sense of the word, and it really captures the beauty of the county in one place. There is literally no bad time of year to show up, either, as every season brings magic with it. We're particularly fond of the fall color here, but we think this is one of those state parks in Indiana you will never, ever forget.

Explore Strahl Lake in Brown County from your couch with this amazing drone video:
2. Our second state park of the journey is the awe-inspiring cascades at Clifty Falls State Park.
Roger Gerbig/Flickr

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Clifty Falls State Park, 2221 Clifty Dr, Madison, IN 47250, USA
Shannon Tompkins/Flickr
Clifty Falls State Park is an Indiana state park like no other. It feels like something out of another world instead of the American Midwest, but it's all ours, baby! The main draw to this park is its four pristine waterfalls: Big Clifty Falls, which is 60 feet high, Little Clifty Falls, which is also 60 feet high, Hoffman Falls, which is an impressive 78 feet high, and finally, the largest of all, Tunnel Falls, which is 83 feet high.

Check out this delightfully fun video to explore a little of Clifty Falls State Park from home!
3. Next up is the strange and beautiful Charlestown State Park, which harbors many secrets.
Ken Ratcliff/Flickr
Charlestown State Park, 3000 State Park Drive, Charlestown, IN 47111, USA
Ken Ratcliff/Flickr
Charlestown State Park is something of an oddity. It's beautiful, with lots of things to do, see, and experience, but it also has features that literally no other Indiana state parks have, like the abandoned amusement park known as Rose Island. So, this one not only comes with scenery - it comes with a backstory, too.
4. Our final stop is at O'Bannon Woods State Park, where adventure (and the perfect place to watch the sunset) awaits.
Paul/Flickr
O'Bannon Woods State Park, 7234 Old Forest Rd, Corydon, IN 47112, USA
StevenW./Flickr
O'Bannon Woods State Park is famous for one thing: its epically enormous watch tower, which served as a lookout for smoke and forest fires once upon a time. Now, though, it's just the perfect possible place to watch the sunset - if you can manage to climb all the way to the top. Don't want to head home just yet? Don't worry - check out some of the cabin rentals at O'Bannon Woods State Park.

Curious about what it's like to mountain bike at O'Bannon Woods State Park? Check out this exciting video for an idea:

So, how much will admission for each of these stops cost? Easy: Indiana state parks cost $7 for a vehicle with in-state plates and $9 for vehicles with out-of-state plates. This puts the total cost of admission for the day at $28 for in-state residents and $36 for out-of-state visitors. Add that to the cost of gas and you’ve got yourself a delightfully affordable road trip in Indiana you’ll never forget!

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Affordable Trips in Indiana

Tori Jane | February 06, 2023
  1. What are some fun, affordable trips in IN to go on? 

Anyone who’s been to Indiana knows that there are plenty of amazing options when it comes to fun – and affordable – trips. Some of our favorite ideas for affordable trips in Indiana include:  

  • Indiana’s amazing state parks – with 24 parks to choose from (all of which are very affordable), it doesn’t get much better than this 
  • Check out fun places like Donuts & Dragons, where you can play tabletop games and eat delicious donuts at ridiculously affordable rates 
  • Head to the famous Skateland and enjoy Family Fun Night Tuesdays at a discounted rate

 

Learn about another wonderfully affordable vacation in Indiana — this Indiana day trip you can do on one tank of gas.  

  1. What are some fun places to visit for free in Indiana? 

Nobody ever said you needed to spend an arm and a leg to have a good time in the Hoosier State, either. In fact, there are plenty of wonderful things to do in Indiana that don’t cost a dime; these include amazing ideas such as:  

  • The Virginia Fairbanks Art and Nature Park is amazing year-round.  
  • The Indianapolis Artsgarden is free and offers amazing shows and exhibitions 24/7/365 
  • Many Indiana museums, like the Indiana War Memorial Museum, do not charge admission. Discover them all!  

 

Learn about more fun stuff to do for free in Indiana.   

  1. What are some other affordable attractions in Indiana? 

So, what if you’re somewhere in the middle? You don’t mind paying a little, but not too much? No worries – there are lots of affordable attractions in Indiana, including:  

  • The Carmel Planetarium hosts evening shows once a month at a low fee.
  • Do a self-guided tour at Wolf Park.
  • Hike any (or all) of the most amazing hiking trails in Indiana.  
  • Visit some of the astonishing natural wonders in Indiana.  

 

Learn more about these amazing natural wonders in Indiana we speak of.  

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