8 Indiana Parks That Make Surrounding States Jealous

I have spent years exploring Indiana’s state parks, and I can tell you that our neighbors in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan have every reason to be envious. While they brag about their own outdoor spaces, Indiana quietly hosts some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Midwest.

We have everything from towering sand dunes along Lake Michigan to sandstone canyons so deep you need ladders to navigate them.

Our state parks offer waterfalls that thunder year-round, pioneer villages frozen in time, and lakes so clear you can see straight to the bottom.

I have watched the sun set over Brown County’s rolling hills and felt the spray from Clifty Falls on my face, and each time I am reminded why Indiana is special. These eight parks are not just beautiful; they are unforgettable experiences that draw visitors from across the region, leaving them wishing they had something similar back home.

1. Turkey Run State Park

Turkey Run State Park sits along Sugar Creek in Parke County, and it is unlike anything else in the Midwest. The park features deep sandstone canyons carved over millions of years, creating narrow passages where sunlight barely reaches the forest floor.

Visitors navigate these canyons using wooden ladders and bridges that add an element of adventure to every hike.

The trails here challenge even experienced hikers. Trail 3, the most famous route, takes you through narrow gorges where you can touch both walls at once.

The sandstone formations tower overhead, creating a landscape that feels more like Kentucky’s Red River Gorge than central Indiana.

Beyond the canyons, Turkey Run offers 2,382 acres of virgin forest, some of the last remaining old-growth timber in the state. Sycamore, beech, and tulip trees reach impressive heights, their canopy providing shade for hikers year-round.

The park also features a covered bridge, a suspension bridge over Sugar Creek, and the historic Turkey Run Inn, which serves family-style meals that have become legendary among park visitors.

Nearby, you can visit Billie Creek Village at 36 Museum Dr, Rockville, IN 47872, a recreated pioneer settlement with historic buildings. The park is located at 8121 E Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859.

2. Brown County State Park

Brown County State Park earns its nickname as Indiana’s Little Smokies for good reason. Spanning 16,000 acres, it is the largest state park in Indiana, and its massive hills create a landscape that rivals the Appalachian Mountains.

The elevation changes are dramatic, with ridges and valleys that seem to roll on forever.

Fall transforms this park into one of the most photographed locations in the Midwest. The hardwood forests explode with color, drawing visitors from surrounding states who cannot find anything comparable back home.

Peak season usually hits mid-October, when the hillsides glow with reds, oranges, and golds.

The park offers over 20 miles of horseback riding trails and 12 miles of mountain biking paths that wind through the hills. Ogle Lake sits at the heart of the park, offering fishing and peaceful shoreline views.

The Abe Martin Lodge provides rustic accommodations with modern amenities, and its restaurant overlooks the forested valleys below.

Winter brings a different kind of beauty, with bare trees revealing the true scale of the hills. Cross-country skiing becomes popular when snow covers the trails.

The park is located at 1801 IN-46, Nashville, IN 47448, just minutes from the artsy town of Nashville, where you can explore galleries and shops along Van Buren Street.

3. Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park features something most people do not expect to find in Indiana: massive sand dunes rising up to 200 feet above the shores of Lake Michigan. These dunes were formed thousands of years ago as glaciers retreated, leaving behind sand that wind and water sculpted into towering hills.

The park boasts three miles of pristine shoreline where waves crash with a power and rhythm reminiscent of the ocean, making it a favorite spot for beachgoers.

For hikers seeking a challenge, Trail 8; also known as the Three Dune Challenge; offers a rigorous climb up Mount Jackson, Mount Holden, and Mount Tom. The ascent is steep, but the payoff is worth it: from the summits, you can enjoy panoramic views stretching across Lake Michigan, and on clear days, the Chicago skyline shimmers in the distance.

Beyond recreation, the dunes are an ecological treasure. They provide a habitat for rare plants found nowhere else in Indiana, including the unexpected sight of prickly pear cactus thriving in the sandy soil.

Nearby, the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center at 1215 N State Road 49 in Porter offers detailed exhibits on the region’s natural history, giving context to the dunes, the lake, and the surrounding wildlife. Just minutes away, the town of Chesterton invites visitors to enjoy local dining along Broadway or explore charming shops.

The park itself is located at 1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304, making it easily accessible for a day trip or a longer outdoor adventure.

4. Clifty Falls State Park

Clifty Falls State Park in Madison features four major waterfalls that thunder year-round, creating a soundscape unlike any other Indiana park. The main falls drop 60 feet into a canyon so deep and narrow that sunlight rarely reaches the bottom.

Moss and ferns cover the canyon walls, thriving in the constant moisture and shade.

The park sits along the Ohio River, and its 1,416 acres include some of the most rugged terrain in southern Indiana. Trail 7 takes you past all four waterfalls, including Little Clifty Falls, Hoffman Falls, and Tunnel Falls.

The trails can be challenging, with steep descents into the canyons and equally steep climbs back out.

Spring brings the heaviest water flow, when snowmelt and rain send torrents over the falls. The roar echoes through the canyons, and mist rises in clouds.

Even during dry summer months, the waterfalls maintain a steady flow thanks to underground springs feeding the creeks.

The park offers stunning overlooks of the Ohio River valley, with views stretching into Kentucky. Madison, one of Indiana’s most charming river towns, sits adjacent to the park at the base of the bluffs.

You can explore historic architecture along Main Street and visit Lanier Mansion at 601 W 1st St, Madison, IN 47250. The park entrance is at 2221 Clifty Dr, Madison, IN 47250.

5. Spring Mill State Park

Spring Mill State Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and living history that you won’t find anywhere else in Indiana. The park is home to a fully restored 1800s pioneer village, where costumed interpreters bring history to life by demonstrating blacksmithing, weaving, and other traditional crafts.

The village includes 20 original buildings, highlighted by a working grist mill powered by a massive water wheel, giving visitors a glimpse into daily life in early Indiana.

Beyond the village, adventure awaits underground. Donaldson Cave and Twin Caves can be explored on guided boat tours, revealing a hidden world carved by an underground river over thousands of years.

Spectacular rock formations line the caverns, and blind cave fish glide silently through the dark waters, perfectly adapted to life without light.

Adding an unexpected twist to the park’s offerings is the Virgil I. Grissom Memorial.

This tribute honors one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, who grew up in nearby Mitchell. The memorial displays Grissom’s space suit and components from his Mercury and Gemini capsules, bringing a piece of NASA history to rural Indiana.

For those who enjoy the outdoors above ground, the park also features a nature center, hiking trails winding through hardwood forests, and a scenic lake stocked with fish. Visitors can extend their stay at the Spring Mill Inn, which offers comfortable rooms and a full-service restaurant.

The park is located at 3333 IN-60, Mitchell, IN 47446, and the town of Mitchell, just minutes away, offers dining options along Main Street.

6. Pokagon State Park

Pokagon State Park in northeast Indiana features something you will not find at any other state park in the region: a refrigerated twin-track toboggan run that operates regardless of weather. The quarter-mile run reaches speeds up to 40 miles per hour as riders shoot down the icy chute on wooden toboggans.

It has been thrilling visitors since 1934, making it one of the last remaining refrigerated toboggan runs in the United States.

The park sits on the shores of Lake James and Snow Lake, both formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. These clear, spring-fed lakes offer excellent swimming, boating, and fishing.

The beaches feature soft sand, and the water stays cool even during the hottest summer days.

Over 1,200 acres of forest surround the lakes, with trails that wind through mature hardwoods and wetlands. The park is named after Chief Leopold Pokagon of the Potawatomi tribe, and interpretive programs share the history of the Native Americans who once lived in this region.

The Potawatomi Inn overlooks Lake James, offering rooms with lake views and a restaurant serving regional favorites. Hell’s Point Trail takes you to a scenic overlook where you can watch the sunset over the water.

The park is located at 450 Ln 100 Lake James, Angola, IN 46703. Angola sits nearby at 105 W Maumee St, Angola, IN 46703, offering additional dining and shopping options.

7. Shades State Park

Shades State Park remains one of Indiana’s best-kept secrets, tucked away in Montgomery County along Sugar Creek. Many Hoosiers have never heard of it, which is exactly what makes it special.

The park features some of the most dramatic sandstone cliffs and deep ravines in the state, rivaling Turkey Run but with far fewer crowds.

The park’s signature challenge is the Six Ravine Challenge, a self-guided hike that takes you through all six major ravines. Each ravine has its own character, from narrow passages where you scramble over boulders to wider valleys with towering rock walls.

The trails are rugged and sometimes require climbing over fallen trees or wading through shallow water.

Devil’s Punch Bowl, a deep pothole carved by swirling water, is one of the park’s most photographed features. Silver Cascade Falls flows year-round, creating a peaceful backdrop for hikers.

The sandstone formations here display distinct layers, telling the geological story of ancient seas that once covered Indiana.

The park offers primitive camping and a few rustic cabins, but no modern amenities like swimming pools or playgrounds. This keeps the focus on nature.

Canoe rentals are available for floating Sugar Creek, which offers a different perspective on the towering cliffs. The park is located at 7751 S 890 W, Waveland, IN 47989.

Crawfordsville sits 20 minutes away, where you can visit the Lane Place at 212 S Water St, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.

8. Chain O’ Lakes State Park

Chain O’ Lakes State Park in Noble County offers something unique in Indiana: nine interconnected glacial lakes perfect for extended paddling adventures. You can spend an entire day exploring the waterways, moving from one lake to another through narrow channels lined with cattails and water lilies.

The lakes formed when massive ice blocks melted thousands of years ago, leaving behind these crystal-clear bodies of water.

Boaters and kayakers love this park because you can cover miles without ever leaving the water. Each lake has its own character, from shallow marshy areas teeming with wildlife to deeper sections where bass and bluegill hide near submerged logs.

The park rents canoes and kayaks if you do not have your own.

Over 2,678 acres of land surround the lakes, with trails that wind through oak and hickory forests. The park offers excellent bird watching, with herons, kingfishers, and eagles frequently spotted along the shorelines.

Winter transforms the lakes into ice fishing destinations when the water freezes solid.

The nature center provides programs about glacial geology and lake ecosystems. You can camp at modern or primitive sites, or rent one of the park’s cabins.

The park is located at 2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701. The town of Albion sits just minutes away at 211 W Main St, Albion, IN 46701, offering dining options and local shops.