Is there anything more beautiful than Indiana in the fall? Indiana is lucky enough to have some of the most amazing displays of foliage in the country. With a plethora of parks, forests, and outdoor areas to explore, it can be overwhelming trying to find the best places to visit for fall colors in Indiana. Don’t worry; let this handy itinerary for a fall foliage road trip in Indiana be your guide to the best autumnal trees this season.

Fall Foliage Road Trip

1. Clifty Falls State Park - Madison
2221 Clifty Dr, Madison, IN 47250, USA
WabashBanks/TripAdvisor
First up on our trip is the always gorgeous Clifty Falls State Park. This incredible state park will offer an amazing array of fall colors, with waterfalls to boot.

Get an aerial view of Clifty Falls State Park:

2. Brown County State Park - Nashville
1801 IN-46, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Bill Cain/Google
Next up, we have the super popular Brown County State Park. This park is arguably one of the most gorgeous pieces of land within Indiana and you can be it's stunning in autumn. Visit this park several times throughout the season to watch the foliage transform before your eyes.
3. Garfield Park Conservatory - Indianapolis
2505 Conservatory Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46203, USA
Delta/Flickr
Garfield Park Conservatory is an excellent next stop to view the amazing contrast between the indoor, greenhouse greenery, and the stunning outdoor colors of fall.
4. McCloud Nature Park - North Salem
8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN 46165, USA
McCloud Nature Park/Google
You can't pass up an opportunity to explore McCloud Nature Park, particularly in the autumn. October offers some truly amazing and bright foliage, while November offers slightly darker, dimmer, yet still gorgeous images.

Take a closer look at McCloud Nature Park:

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5. Turkey Run State Park - Marshall
8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA
Anthony Doudt/Flickr
Next on our stop is the must-see, Turkey Run State Park. Let yourself really revel in the jaw-dropping colors of fall by hiking along one of the area's popular trails.
6. Indiana Dunes - Chesterton
1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304, USA
Tom Gill/Flickr
Most people think of the Indiana Dunes as a must-visit for the summertime, but the Dunes are also a stunning place to visit in the fall. Just look at those vivid colors!
7. The University of Notre Dame - Notre Dame/South Bend
Holy Cross Drive, Holy Cross Dr, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
Dan Dzurisin/Flickr
A great time to plan this road trip would be during a weekend when there's a Notre Dame game to catch. Kill two birds with one stone and take in the stunning beauty of this campus in the autumn, while enjoying a rousing game of football.
8. Chain O'Lakes State Park - Albion
2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701, USA
Grant/Flickr
This often overlooked state park is next on our foliage road trip and for good reason! You can witness some amazing hues of red, brown, gold, yellow, and green as you walk along these park grounds.

See what it’s like to kayak at Chain O’ Lakes State Park:

9. Mounds State Park - Anderson
4306 Mounds Rd, Anderson, IN 46017, USA
Mark Moschell/Flickr
This tiny park in Anderson is the last stop on our foliage tour but offers some of the most charming sights. Whether you complete this tour in early or late fall, Mounds State Park will offer subtle and stunning colors to round out the rest of this trip.

When do you plan on taking this amazing fall foliage road trip in Indiana? For more fall fun, check out these must-visit fall festivals in Indiana! If you plan to do some hiking to see more of these colors, check with AllTrails for trail info.

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More to Explore

The Best Attractions in Indiana

William Suphan | August 01, 2023

What are the best kid-friendly hikes in Indiana?

The best kid-friendly hikes in Indiana include:

  • Trail 4 at Chain O’Lakes State Park. This is an easy 1-mile hike that will bring you to four different lakes with varied wildlife.
  • Trail 9 at Clifty Falls State Park. This hike on a wooden boardwalk goes past beautiful waterfalls.
  • Trail 10 at McCormick’s Creek State Park. This is the first state park in Indiana and has an easy hike with amazing canyon views.
  • Strahl Lake Trail at Brown County State Park. This is a hike that goes around a lovely lake and has a fun nature center.

Learn more about the best kid-friendly hikes in Indiana. 

What are the best amusement parks in Indiana?

The best amusement parks in Indiana include:

  • Deep River Water Park. The Paddle PlayZone and bumper boats are great fun for all ages.
  • Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. Fun characters greet you at this fun park that has the longest water coaster in the world.
  • Go Ape Treetop Adventure. Rather than rides, this park has you propelling yourself along tunnels, bridges, ziplines, and a whole lot more active fun.
  • Fun Center Paiges Crossing. This place has mini-golf, go-karts, rides, arcade games, and so much more.

Find out more about the best amusement parks in Indiana. 

What are the best animal encounters in Indiana?

The best animal encounters in Indiana include:

  • Wolf Creek Habitat. You can pet adult wolves and wolf puppies here as well as foxes and rabbits.
  • Wilstem Ranch. This is an elephant retreat where you can pet and bathe elephants. There are also giraffes, horses, and kangaroos.
  • Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park. This is where you can pet ostriches, elk, bison, zebras, llamas, and many other animals.
  • Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve. Come here to interact with and learn about buffalo and stay in a teepee if you like.

Discover more about the best animal encounters in Indiana. 

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