There is one thing a lot of people do not know about Indiana. We are home to a lot of state parks. More than 20, in fact! And while each is amazing, some stand out above the rest. Need some convincing? We thought so, which is why we put together a list of the most beautiful state parks in Indiana.

1. Brown County State Park (Nashville)
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WikiMedia Commons
Brown County State Park is recognized as the largest start park in the state of Indiana. For more information, click here.
2. Charlestown State Park (Charlestown)
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WikiMedia Commons
Did you know Charlestown State Park was built over the top of an Indiana Army Ammunition Plant? For more information, click here.
3. Clifty Falls State Park (Madison)
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WikiMedia Commons
Clifty Falls State Park is home to one of the few waterfalls in Indiana. It is also home to a canyon that only gets daylight during the middle of the day. For more information, click here.
4. Lincoln State Park (Lincoln City)
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This was the very last state park Richard Lieber established. Beautiful! For more information, click here.
5. McCormick's Creek State Park (Spencer)
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Did you know McCormick's Creek was the very first state park in Indiana? For more information, click here.
6. Mounds State Park (Anderson)
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WikiMedia Commons
WikiMedia Commons
This beautiful park is located in Anderson, Indiana. For more information, click here.

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7. O'Bannon Woods State Park (Corydon)
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This beautiful park was originally known as the Wyandotte Woods State Recreation Area. For more information, click here.
8. Pokagon State Park (Angola)
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Pictured is the Spring Shelter found in Pokagon State Park. The shelter was built back in 1937. For more information, click here.
9. Fort Harrison State Park (Indianapolis)
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WikiMedia Commons
Sometimes known as just Fort Ben, this park is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information, click here.
10. Indiana Dunes State Park (Chesterton)
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WikiMedia Commons
This was one of the very first places Richard Lieber visited and considered when he was setting up the state park system of Indiana. For more information, click here.
11. Shades State Park (Waveland)
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WikiMedia Commons
WikiMedia Commons
WikiMedia Commons
This park stretches over three counties, including Montgomery, Parke, and Fountain. For more information, click here.
12. Turkey Run State Park (Marshall)
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You can find this beautiful park in Parke County, Indiana. For more information, click here.

So, what do you think? Are these the most beautiful state parks in Indiana? It’s a tough decision since there are so many beautiful state parks in Indiana. You could literally go to a different park almost every day of the month, without going to the same one twice!

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More to Explore

The Most Beautiful State Parks In Indiana

Daniella DiRienzo | May 13, 2021

Aside from Indiana State Parks, what other parks are worth a visit?

When it comes to great parks in Indiana, Strawtown Koteewi Park is hard to beat. The 750-acre park is brimming with perks, including hiking trails, horseback riding trails, an archaeological exhibit, and natural history center – but that’s not all. There are also several amazing amenities within the park, including Koteewi Aerial Adventure Treetop Trails, which boasts ziplines and challenging treetop obstacles.

What other locales are perfect for outdoor recreation in Indiana?

Gabis Arboretum and Railway Garden is the perfect place for some outdoor fun in Indiana. Located in Valparaiso, the Gabis Arboretum protects 330 acres of prairie, wetlands, and forest, including an extensive collection of oak trees. The site’s most unique feature, though, is the Railway Garden. Sure to delight the young and old alike, the outdoor model train garden encompasses an entire acre and tells the story of America’s steam engine history and its impact on the nation.

Which hiking trails in Indiana shouldn’t be missed?

There are lots of great hiking trails in Indiana. One that shouldn’t be missed is the Patoka Lake Main Trail. At 6.5 miles in length, it takes roughly 3-4 hours to complete the trail. However, the effort’s well worth it, as it leads to Totem Rock, a towering rock shelter that was once used by Native Americans and early settlers. If you are seeking a shorter route to Totem Rock, you’re in luck. At 3.5 miles in length, the Totem Rock Trail will get you to the same destination in roughly half the distance.

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Featured Addresses
Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Clifty Falls State Park, 2221 Clifty Dr, Madison, IN 47250, USA
Lincoln State Park, 15476 County Rd 300 E, Lincoln City, IN 47552, USA
McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
Mounds State Park, 4306 Mounds Rd, Anderson, IN 46017, USA
O'Bannon Woods State Park, 7234 Old Forest Rd, Corydon, IN 47112, USA
Pokagon State Park, Park Office:, 450 Ln 100 Lake James, Angola, IN 46703, USA
Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, USA
Indiana Dunes State Park, Westchester Township, IN 46304, USA
Shades State Park, 7751 S 890 W, Waveland, IN 47989, USA
Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA
Indiana 62, IN-62, Charlestown, IN, USA