We Bet You Didn't Know These 6 Rural Indiana Destinations Even Existed
By Tori Jane|Published August 01, 2023
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Indiana is a beautiful state with plenty of awesome things to do and see. It’s located smack-dab in the center of the American Midwest, and anyone who’s been here before knows it’s full of lakes, parks, historical buildings, and so much more – and it’s a blast to discover! But what about some of the best attractions in Indiana that are a little off the beaten path? A lot of the Hoosier State is pretty rural, but the most rural counties of them all include Pike, Benton, Crawford, Newton, and a few others – so I’ve gone ahead and found six of the coolest semi-rural or rural destinations in Indiana you’ll definitely want to check out.
1. Benton County Wind Farm Tours, Benton County
Orion Energy - Benton County Wind Farm, 8557 W 600 N, Earl Park, IN 47942, USA
Did you know that you can tour a wind farm in Indiana? It's true, and you can do it at the gorgeous Benton County Wind Farm. Learn all about the process, how it works, and the ins and outs - you never know, you might just fall in love with the wind.
2. Wyandotte Caves, Crawford County
Wyandotte Caves, 7315 S Wyandotte Cave Rd, Leavenworth, IN 47137, USA
There are a couple of awesome caves in Indiana, but this one is easily the most overlooked. Sure, you've heard of Marengo Cave and touring Indiana Caverns, but if you'd like your caving to be a little less people-y, this is the one for you.
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3. Fair Oaks Farms, Jasper County
Fair Oaks Farms, 856 N 600 E, Fair Oaks, IN 47943, USA
Fair Oaks Farms is an awesomely rural dairy farm and restaurant that serves up the freshest food in the world: food that comes from right there on the grounds. If you're a lover of ice cream (same), you're going to leave totally obsessed. The meals are awesome, too, but it's the ice cream that really brings 'em in.
Much like farms, there are several botanical gardens in Indiana that folks absolutely love. This one, much like other items on this list, is often overlooked thanks to its location. It's nothing short of absolutely enchanting, and it's 100% worth the trip out to experience it.
5. Patoka Lake Winery, Dubois County
Patoka Lake Winery, 2900 Dillard Rd, Birdseye, IN 47513, USA
Who doesn't love wine? Did you know there are wineries in Indiana that you can visit, tour, and, of course, take plenty home from? It's true! Take, for example, Patoka Lake Winery, which is a wonderful respite from the real world, if only for a little while. Book a tour and tasting ASAP!
6. Hardy Lake State Park, Scott & Jefferson Counties
There are 24 awesome Indiana state parks, and some definitely get more attention than others. Everyone's been to Indiana Dunes National Park and Turkey Run State Park, but some of these parks fall under the radar - like this one. Hardy Lake State Park is absolutely wonderful, and it's a great way to skip the more crowded places for a day out in the wild.
So, what do you think? Which counties in Indiana would you say are the most rural? The least? Do you have any favorite attractions in those places? Tell me everything! Wanna road trip it? You’d better check out our awesome, all-inclusive road trip essentials packing list!
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