7 Incredible Natural Wonders In Indiana That You Can Witness For Free
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Tori Jane
Author
Indiana is a beautiful state with so many things to do that it might seem overwhelming to anyone just trying to decide what to do with their day. Luckily for us, there’s an array of awesome things to do for free in Indiana, and they’re all epic in their own ways. Here are our picks for some of the best natural wonders in Indiana:
Jug Rock Nature Preserve, 722 Albright Ln, Shoals, IN 47581, USA
Jug Rock is one of those unique little places in Indiana that is depressingly underappreciated. It's special, you know, as the largest tea-table rock formation east of the Mississippi River. It's located on the Jug Rock Nature Preserve, and it's truly one-of-a-kind.
Head to Jug Rock in Shoals, Indiana, for a unique look at one of the state's most interesting rock formations in this video from Just Life:
Head to Jug Rock in Shoals, Indiana, for a unique look at one of the state's most interesting rock formations in this video from Just Life:
Portland Arch Nature Preserve (North Trail), 1599 W Scout Camp Rd, Covington, IN 47932, USA
The Portland Arch is a stunning natural bridge located near Covington. Over millions of years, Bear Creek has eroded the rock in this area away, resulting in this intriguing formation. Plus, this area is the only area in Indiana where Canada blueberry grows, and it's also home to the rare bush honeysuckle. It's breathtakingly beautiful, so bring a camera!
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Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
The Charles C. Deam Wilderness is home to numerous awe-inspiring spots to hike and explore. It's tucked away within Hoosier National Forest, and it's 13,000 acres of awesomeness with 37 miles of trails to hike to your heart's content. Of course, there are special restrictions to camp here, so make sure to check the official Forest Service website for the most up-to-date information.
In this video from Winters Kamp, we'll head to Charles C. Deam Wilderness in Bloomington, Indiana for a wonderful fall hike to enjoy natural wonders:
In this video from Winters Kamp, we'll head to Charles C. Deam Wilderness in Bloomington, Indiana for a wonderful fall hike to enjoy natural wonders:
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Williamsport Falls, 25 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993, USA
Williamsport Falls is another underappreciated place of Indiana beauty. At 90 feet high, it is the second-highest waterfall in the state! You can even get up behind the falls for unique photos if you don't mind getting a little (or a lot) wet.
Thistlethwaite Falls, 65 Waterfall Rd, Richmond, IN 47374, USA
Okay, okay, maybe this one isn't 100% "natural", as it was originally created by man, but Thistlethwaite Falls is so cool that it's worth a mention, too. This area is great for fossil hunting and it's open from dawn until dusk.
Seven Pillars Nature Preserve - ACRES Land Trust, 3985 Mississinewa Rd, Peru, IN 46970, USA
Coming in as yet another underappreciated natural wonder on this list is the Seven Pillars, near Peru, along the Mississinewa River. This intriguing and unique formation has been molded over hundreds of years by wind and water erosion. Hike the Francis Slocum Trail to get right over them!
Hemlock Cliffs, National Forest Rd, English, IN 47118, USA
Hemlock Cliffs is a gorgeous natural area with streams, waterfalls, gorges, a box canyon, and so much more to explore. Make sure to look closely at the sandstone rock formations - they're "honeycombed"!
Let's take a walk to see the Hemlock Cliffs in English, Indiana as we learn a little bit more about the area in this video from Denise Looking Out:
Let's take a walk to see the Hemlock Cliffs in English, Indiana as we learn a little bit more about the area in this video from Denise Looking Out:
It’s a good time to get out and explore some of the beautiful natural attractions in Indiana. What are some of your favorite natural wonders in Indiana that you can visit for free? Tell us yours in the comments – and we love pictures, too!
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More to Explore
More natural wonders in Indiana
What are some natural attractions in Indiana?
Indiana has plenty of natural wonders from waterfall trails to cave systems to explore. With its northwestern tip touching Lake Michigan, there are unique areas to explore there as well. Here are a few natural attractions in Indiana to enjoy the next time you visit:
- Marengo Cave, Marengo, IN: This popular cave in southern Indiana is a fascinating area to explore. The cave tour takes about an hour. Afterward, you can even mine for gemstones, which is a fun activity for the family to feel like treasure hunters.
- Indiana Dunes, Chesterton, IN: Indiana Dunes State Park is a beautiful and unique area with seemingly endless sand dunes to explore. Walk the warm sand set against beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Hop in your kayak and enjoy some fantastic fishing or take the nine-mile Calumet Trail to explore the dunes even further.
- Lavender Lane, Rome City, IN: On a spring day, the smell of lavender is a calming scent that reminds you to slow down and enjoy the natural world around you. And there is no better place to do that in Indiana than at this unique lavender farm. Be sure to take some home to keep the zen going as long as you can.
- Clifty Falls State Park, Madison, IN: Indiana's Clifty Falls is a lovely tired waterfall that is comprised of Big Clifty Falls and Little Clifty Falls. The state park also has two other waterfalls to enjoy as well: Tunnel Falls and Hoffman Falls. Each one is unique in its own way and offers us a chance to enjoy nature. The park has 10 hiking trails to enjoy as well as cave tunnels that were left from an abandoned railroad.