Your Ultimate Guide To State Parks In Indiana

Indiana is a secretly amazing state. No, seriously – it is. What most folks in the US would casually dismiss as “flyover” country couldn’t be further from the stereotype at all. As it turns out, Indiana is an awesomely beautiful place with a variety of intriguing and jaw-droppingly gorgeous landscapes. One of the best ways by far to explore the natural beauty of the Hoosier State is by its state parks; with 24 state parks in Indiana at the time of this writing, you’ll never get bored. Why stay in when you can go out – and why go out on the town when you can get out into nature? Check out 16 of our favorite state parks in Indiana that you’ll want to add to your bucket list ASAP.

Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA

Tom Gill/Flickr

Location: Marshall, Indiana

Wow Factor: Turkey Run State Park is Indiana’s most popular state park for lots of reasons – but the most prominent ones are simply ones that reflect its otherworldly beauty. This state park looks and feels like something out of a fantasy novel, with stunningly beautiful canyons covered in emerald moss and epic ravines to explore. Come on a misty day to really drive the “otherworldly” thing home.

Need To Know: As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Turkey Run State Park is astonishingly beautiful, with incredible landscapes like something out of a movie everywhere you turn. Things to do at Turkey Run State Park include out-of-this-world hiking trails, marveling at the beauty of Sugar Creek, which meanders right through, exploring the geological history of the park, and so much more. There's a pool during the summer months, fishing, and even an inn to check into if you feel like staying. This amazing place is often referred to as “The Grand Canyon of Indiana”, and its status as #1 is well-deserved.

Brown County State Park, 1801 IN-46, Nashville, IN 47448, USA

Kelly Verdeck/Flickr

Location: Nashville, Indiana

Wow Factor: Fun fact: Brown County is often regarded as Indiana’s most beautiful county, with stunning covered bridges, epic vistas, gorgeous woodlands, quaint small towns... everything you could imagine something out of a postcard-perfect place should be. Brown County State Park marries all of these things together in an amazing blend of beautiful and historic, and it makes for an adventure like none other.

Need To Know: As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Brown County is often heralded as the most beautiful part of Indiana, and we’d be inclined to agree if we weren’t so madly in love with, well, the whole state! That being said, Brown County State Park is truly breathtaking. With nearly 16,000 acres of hills, forest, woods, creeks and more to explore, Indiana’s largest state park is a sight to behold and an experience to be had. Things to do at Brown County State Park include a swimming pool, a 90-foot-tall fire tower you can climb all the way to the top (it’s worth it), a nature center, horseback riding on equestrian trails, guided educational series, and so much more.

Advertisement

McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA

Jennifer Tarr/Google Local

Location: Spencer, Indiana

Wow Factor: McCormick’s Creek State Park is amazing thanks to its jaw-dropping scenery that competes with other parks, like Potato Creek State Park and Pokagon State Park, for the title of “Top 3 Most Photogenic”. But, ultimately, McCormick’s Creek State Park wins thanks to its awesome waterfalls, gorgeous scenery and out-of-this-world campgrounds. It’s truly unreal.

Need To Know: Following a tornado in March 2023, some of the trails and campsites are still closed. Check the official DNR website for closures and opening information. As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

With limestone canyons, waterfalls, and a babbling creek, McCormick’s Creek State Park is the third most beloved state park in Indiana, and again, there are a ton of excellent reasons. The park is so much more than just beautiful; things to do at McCormick’s Creek State Park include tennis courts, interpretive naturalist services, hiking and biking trails, a rec center, a swimming pool, and more! Staying the weekend here is easy and so much fun that you’ll no doubt want to stay a week, too. Picnic beside the crystalline water and listen to the murmur of the creek. This place is paradise.

Advertisement

Best State Parks In Indiana To Camp

Camping in Indiana is a much-beloved pastime, and it has been for hundreds of years, be it for fun or out of necessity. Indiana’s state parks are incredible when it comes to sleeping outdoors; with hundreds of campgrounds boasting thousands of sites, there’s something here for literally EVERYONE. Many of our state parks have ADA-accessible campsites, and many of our parks’ trails will soon be ADA-accessible as well. If you’re looking for the best state parks in Indiana to camp, no matter what you’re searching for, you’re sure to find plenty in the beautiful countryside of Indiana.

Lincoln State Park, 15476 County Rd 300 E, Lincoln City, IN 47552, USA

Scott Loesch/Google Local

Location: Lincoln City, Indiana

Wow Factor: With not just one but two sparkling lakes and more historical significance than perhaps any other state park in Indiana, Lincoln State Park is absolutely gorgeous – not to mention its vast campgrounds!

Need To Know: Sites range from $12 to $44, depending on which sites are chosen and the amenities they offer as well as the time of year. Holidays and weekends are always a little more. As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Did you know that President Abraham Lincoln grew up in Indiana? Yep! Discover the boyhood home of honest Abe at Lincoln State Park, which is one of the most popular state parks in Indiana for camping. There’s an abundance of camping opportunities available here, with 150 electric sites, 88 non-electric sites, 31 primitive sites, and more. Camping in Indiana is fun, but it’s extra fun when you’re camping in our state parks! Things to do at Lincoln State Park include lots of hiking trails, a pond with a boat launch and ramp on Lake Lincoln, A Neighborhood Walk (walk in the footsteps of a young Lincoln!), and more. In the southernmost part of the park, you’ll find the wondrous Sarah Lincoln Woods Nature Preserve. Waking up here is something special!

Prophetstown State Park, Park Entrance: 5545 Swisher Road Office:, 4112 IN-225, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA

Mike Leakey/Flickr

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

Wow Factor: Giving Lincoln State Park a run for its money in terms of being historically significant, this gorgeous expanse of land was once a huge community made up of several local Native American tribes. This park commemorates this, and the surrounding landscape being astonishingly beautiful definitely helps drive the whole point home.

Need To Know: Entry fees here are a little different: $8 for in-state vehicles, $10 for out-of-state vehicles. GPS will probably send you on a wild goose chase. Instead, use Exit 178/S.R. 43 north of Lafayette to access the park. Do not use S.R. 225., no matter what GPS says. Campsites range from $12 to $44, depending on which sites are chosen and the amenities they offer as well as the time of year. Holidays and weekends are always a little more. As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

The list of things to do at Prophetstown State Park is not limited solely to hiking and camping, though both activities are probably by far the most beloved around here. This stunning Indiana state park is found right where the Tippecanoe River meets the Wabash River. Wander through 900 acres of beautifully-restored prairie and learn all about how life worked a century ago on a 1920s farm. There’s also an aquatic center with a water slide and pool, so come ready for that, too! There are 55 full hookup sites, 55 electric sites, a dumping station, and more. This park is one of the most popular among Indiana camping enthusiasts.

O'Bannon Woods State Park, 7234 Old Forest Rd, Corydon, IN 47112, USA

Jim Duncan/Google Loca

Location: Corydon, Indiana

Wow Factor: This jaw-dropping Indiana state park is located in Harrison Crawford State Forest and is managed separately from it. This place is everything you could ever want in a forest setting, from hiking and biking trails to birdwatching and more. The nature center offers even more hours of fun, especially for anyone curious about the flora and fauna present within the park. This one isn’t JUST beautiful – it's a whole experience!

Need To Know: Sites range from $12 to $44, depending on which sites are chosen and the amenities they offer as well as the time of year. Holidays and weekends are always a little more. As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Once upon a time, this was called the Wyandotte Woods State Recreation Area, so if you remember it as something else – that's why. It’s still the same wonderful state park, though, if not even better now. O’Bannon Woods has a special history as one of only a few African-American Civilian Conservation Corps units in the Midwest. Nowadays, the things to do at O’Bannon Woods State Park is quite long, with everything from a pioneer farmstead to explore and learn about to some of the most gorgeous campsites in the state. With 281 electric sites, 47 horseman non-electric sites, and a cozy group camp, you can’t go wrong.

Best State Parks In Indiana To RV

RVing is a blast. For those who prefer things a little more modern than pitching a tent, there’s always the fine art of “glamping” – or glamorous camping – that originated with the all-American RV. Of course, with as many campgrounds and campsites as there are across the state, some of them are better than others for those who travel with an RV, toy hauler, trailer, or anything else of the sort. Which Indiana state parks are the best for these folks? These three:

Chain O’ Lakes State Park, 2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701, USA

Haemin Ryu/Google Local

Location: Albion, Indiana

Wow Factor: Lovers of lakes and all things water-based, this wow’s for you. With not one, not two, but NINE connecting lakes, this amazing Indiana state park is a boater’s dream come true. Well, that, and it’s also a swimmer’s dream come true. And it’s popular for canoeing, kayaking, and so much more.

Need To Know: Boating is for electric-motor boats only. RV sites range from $30 to $40, depending on which sites are chosen and the amenities they offer as well as the time of year. Holidays and weekends are always a little more. As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

This one’s for you, lovers of all things water! Chain O’Lakes State Park has absolutely earned its name, with nine connecting lakes and endless opportunities for adventure. With 23 miles of gorgeous, forested hiking trails and some of the best camping in the Midwest, Chain O’Lakes is a must-do for anyone drawn to the water. Things to do at Chain O’Lakes State Park include hiking, boating, swimming, fishing (some of the best!), a family cabin, and the 9 Lake Challenge. There’s also the historic Stanley Schoolhouse, which you can visit to this day. With 323 stunning electric hookup campgrounds to pick from, you’ll love this gorgeous respite from the real world.

Ouabache State Park, 4930 IN-201, Bluffton, IN 46714, USA

Thomas Sprunger/Google Local

Location: Bluffton, Indiana

Wow Factor: This state park is so much more than a recreation area alone. Once upon a time, this incredible place was actually known as the single “Greatest Wildlife Laboratory in the United States”, offering up countless opportunities to observe and study wildlife. To this day, the abundance of critters remains, and they provide a fun foreground to the park’s stunningly beautiful backdrop.

Need To Know: The swimming beach is only open during the warmer months, so plan accordingly. Sites range from $30 to $40, depending on which sites are chosen and the amenities they offer as well as the time of year. Holidays and weekends are always a little more. As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Pronounced not “wah-bahsh” like the river but “oh-bah-chee", Ouabache State Park is a favorite among RVers. With 122 beautiful electric hookup sites to pick from, camping has never been so much fun (well, at least not since the last time you went camping, anyway). Interestingly, this state park was once called the Greatest Wildlife Laboratory in the United States thanks to its raising of quail, raccoon, and other critters for release into the wild. Kunkel Lake is gorgeous and great for fishing. Some of the best things to do at Ouabache State Park include visiting the nature center, admiring the bison in the 20-acre bison exhibit, fishing, boating, hiking and, of course, camping – especially for RV campers!

Advertisement

Related Stories

Indiana Dunes National Park is the Perfect Midwest Winter Travel Destination

Perhaps The State's Best Hidden Treasure, Hardly Anyone Knows This Incredible Nature Preserve Exists In Indiana

The One State Park In Indiana With 9 Connected Lakes Truly Has It All

Spring Mill State Park, 3333 IN-60 E, Mitchell, IN 47446, USA

Charles Bugh/Google Local

Location: Mitchell, Indiana

Wow Factor: This one’s another park perfect for the history buffs. The flowing water of the nearby cave springs never freezes, and back in the day, a whole pioneer village was built up around it, using the running water to power several gristmills, a wood mill, a sawmill, and a distillery. Old-growth timber grows around the park, and the whole place serves as a reminder of where we came from – and how far we’ve come. Oh, and it’s gorgeous, too!

Need To Know: Sites range from $30 to $40, depending on which sites are chosen and the amenities they offer as well as the time of year. Holidays and weekends are always a little more. As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Spring Mill State Park is a beautiful park with as much historical significance as outright beauty. It’s a favorite among RV campers for its spacious sites and beautiful views along with plenty of things to do. With 187 electric sites and a camp store, you’ll be all set! Things to do at Spring Mill State Park include gobs and gobs of local history; there’s the old Pioneer Village, the Grissom Memorial, a Nature Nook, and the hiking and biking trails as well. You also cannot miss checking out the caves – yes, caves! The Donaldson, Bronson, and Hamer Caves are all waiting to be discovered. You should also do the Twin Caves Boat Tour – you'll never forget it!

Best State Parks In Indiana For Hiking

Hikers have a LOT to love about the state of Indiana. With more than 4,200 miles of incredible hiking trails weaving all over the state like life-giving veins, you’re sure to find that you won’t exhaust all of them in a year, two years, three years – maybe a lifetime. Our state parks are an excellent jumping point; the trails are well-managed, nicely kept, and span across all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting or you’re an experienced hiker looking for a challenge, you’ll find exactly what you seek in Indiana’s state parks. Three amazing state parks in Indiana for hiking are parks like:

Shades State Park, 7751 S 890 W, Waveland, IN 47989, USA

Norm Hoekstra/Flickr

Location: Waveland, Indiana

Wow Factor: If you were to take the otherworldly beauty of Turkey Run State Park and squish it all into a lesser-known park that’s amazing for hiking and outdoorsy folks, you’d make a carbon copy of Shades State Park. To say this park is “beautiful” is to do it an enormous disservice; this park is easily one of the most beautiful in the entire Midwest, and it’s all ours.

Need To Know: As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

With some of the darkest skies in Indiana, Shades State Park offers up some of the best stargazing in the state on top of all the rest of its many wonders. Hikers love this park for the adventure; you’ll feel like you’re somewhere in Middle Earth instead of lil’ ol’ Indiana. The 6 Ravine Challenge is a favorite among the hiking crowd; it is, as it sounds, a challenge in which one traverses all six ravines present in the park. Think you can do it? We have faith in you. Other things to do at Shades State Park include fishing, picnicking, and even the occasional night sky star viewing party.

Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA

Fort Harrison State Park/Google Local

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Wow Factor: First and foremost, this park is just a short drive from downtown Indy – so it’s pretty close to it all while promising to take you away from it all. It’s popular year-round, but particularly in winter, when it’s home to some truly awesome sledding and snow play activities. During the warmer months, the park is ridiculously photogenic, lending itself to looking like something from a storybook.

Need To Know: As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Home to one of the best sledding hills in Indiana, Fort Harrison State Park is a fun force to be reckoned with (Pokagon State Park has the toboggan run, though, if that’s what you were thinking about). Known fondly as “the state park for all seasons”, there’s something wonderful to do no matter when you show up. In the spring, walk among the countless wildflowers. In the summer, meander down to Canoe Creek (where you can indeed canoe if you’d like), and in the fall, the color of the whole place comes ablaze. Winter brings sledding and all sorts of snow-based fun. With two National Historic Districts and located within Indianapolis, you won’t be too far from it all. Things to do at Fort Harrison State Park include hiking, biking, walking, a dog park, fishing (ice fishing in the winter!), and LOTS more. The possibilities are only as endless as your imagination.

Clifty Falls State Park, 2221 Clifty Dr, Madison, IN 47250, USA

Roger Gerbig/Flickr

Location: Madison, Indiana

Wow Factor: The WOW with this one never ends. Home to a couple of Indiana’s most breathtaking waterfalls, this state park is a perfect glimpse at the wonders of the Hoosier State’s wilderness. The best time to visit to see the falls is during late winter well into spring, when snowmelt has each cascade roaring.

Need To Know: As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Hidden away near Madison, Indiana, is the wonder-filled paradise known as Clifty Falls State Park. With waterfalls galore, your best bet is to visit in the spring and summer following snowmelt and/or good, solid rainstorms. Then, the falls will really be roaring – and there are several! The most popular trails at Clifty Falls State Park lead to its stunning waterfalls – Big Clifty Falls and Little Clifty Falls as well as Tunnel Falls and Hoffman Falls - and other things to do at Clifty Falls State Park include looking for fossils (no collecting, please), camping, and some of the most jaw-dropping sights in the entire state.

Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304, USA

Kenn Kildron/Google Local

Location: Chesterton, Indiana

Wow Factor: We’re not even sure where to begin with this one; the majesty of Indiana Dunes is difficult to overstate, if not impossible. With towering sand dunes snuggling right up to the shores of Lake Michigan, which is so vast that it looks and feels like the ocean, this incredible Indiana state park showcases the utterly amazing variety of landscapes our little state’s got. It’s a sight to behold – especially when the lake is particularly agitated, making for incredible photos.

Need To Know: Indiana Dunes is a little different! Entry fees are $7 for in-state licensed vehicles and $12 for out-of-state licensed vehicles. Wear good shoes and pack lots of water. Be aware of blowing sand! Fishers, keep in mind that only smelt fishing is allowed.

Nestled right along the never-ending beauty of Lake Michigan is Indiana Dunes State Park – which is NOT to be confused with Indiana Dunes National Park (though it’s in the same region). Indiana Dunes State Park is a breath of fresh air on Lake Michigan, complete with awe-inspiring sand dunes reaching up to the sky. This park was established in 1925 – long before the National Park of the same name was established – and the delicate and strange landscape is preserved as it’s always been for generations to come. Here you’ll find the 3 Dune Hiking Challenge, a swimming beach, and lots of birdwatching opportunities. Of course, the list of things to do at Indiana Dunes State Park doesn’t begin or end there – there's plenty more to do and see, so come explore!

Advertisement

Little-Known State Parks In Indiana

With two dozen parks to pick from, it’s no surprise that some of them tend to fall between the cracks into the land of the forgotten. All this means to us, however, is that these parks are awesome for avoiding the crowds! If you want to explore the outdoors without having to worry about too many other people being around, these parks are perfect. Just because they’re the hidden gems of the bunch doesn’t make them any less wondrous or worthwhile. Some of our favorite lesser-known state parks in Indiana include:

Harmonie State Park, 3451 Harmonie State Park Rd, New Harmony, IN 47631, USA

Ark Raven/Google Local

Location: New Harmony, Indiana

Wow Factor: New Harmony was an experiment in utopias, and honestly, Harmonie State Park is about as close to a utopia as we’ll ever get. It’s gorgeous, with enough incredible trails to be considered ideal for hiking. Today, this stunning park is a hidden gem with astonishing natural beauty everywhere you turn.

Need To Know: As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Nestled on the banks of the Wabash northwest of Evansville, New Harmony is an amazing place with an even more amazing state park. Things to do at Harmonie State Park include cabins for reservation and some truly beautiful campsites, too. The landscape that surrounds you at this park is nothing short of utterly breathtaking; walking, biking, and hiking are popular at Harmonie’s six trails – popular among people who know it’s here, anyway. Boating the Wabash River is a beloved pastime, too, and if you show up during the week you might just have the park mostly to yourself. Enjoy!

Tippecanoe River State Park, 4200 N US Hwy 35, Winamac, IN 46996, USA

Nathan Witte/Google Local

Location: Winamac, Indiana

Wow Factor: The Tippecanoe River is absolutely beautiful, and perhaps predictably, it runs right through this state park. Tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and simply lounging riverside are the most popular activities, and thanks to the beauty of the river, the entire park is a beautiful delight. Curl up with a good book next to the rushing water and lose track of time without the crowds at this stunning state park.

Need To Know: As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

Hiking is a much-appreciated pastime at this particular little park, with 23 miles of awesome trails to explore. The 90-foot-tall fire tower is fun to climb, and the view from it is pretty epic. Things to do at Tippecanoe River State Park include camping, a boat launch ramp, bridle trails, and cross-country skiing in the winter. In the summer, Tippecanoe is the site of some of the best lazy river tubing in Indiana (if not the whole Midwest), and you’ll want to bring sunscreen and water for that one. No matter what, though, this is one beautiful Indiana state park that you’ll want to visit time and time again.

Charlestown State Park, 3000 State Park Drive, Charlestown, IN 47111, USA

Mike-n-Cherry Simmons/Google Local

Location: Charlestown, Indiana

Wow Factor: This park’s a little odd, but its history is intriguing: once upon a time, this land belonged to the Indiana Army Ammunition plant. It remained undeveloped for the most part, however, it’s found new life in the form of a jaw-droppingly pretty state park. It’s located right up along the Ohio River, with steep hills, rugged ravines, and more to explore. This one feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere when you’re really in Charlestown.

Need To Know: Charlestown State Park is legendary among locals; it is, after all, the home of the only island with an abandoned amusement park you can walk to. As with most Indiana state parks, entry is $7 for in-state license plates and $9 for out-of-state plates.

You’d be amazed at all the quirky things to do at Charlestown State Park, which was once the property of an ammunition plant. The park is a fascinating place, featuring Devonian fossil outcrops and areas of karst sinkhole topography where you can see layers of Earth’s history with the naked eye. It’s one of the lesser-visited state parks in Indiana, which is wild – it's so much fun! Be sure to check out Rose Island, the now-abandoned amusement park that used to be within what is now Charlestown State Park. Wear good shoes for this one!

There you have ‘em – 16 amazing state parks in Indiana just waiting to be explored and discovered. Once you’ve done all 24, we strongly recommend doing ‘em all again – each time you visit and explore more, you’re sure to find all sorts of things you never noticed the previous time(s). No matter what it is you want to do, from hiking and biking to camping, RVing, and simply having fun, you’ll find it in the Hoosier State. You just need to know where to look – and our state parks are the first place you ought to check. What are your favorite state parks in Indiana? What would you have added to this list? Let us know!