Indiana is home to some of the most beautiful state parks in the country, with stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and a wide variety of outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable outdoor adventure, be sure to check out these 5 Indiana state parks that are definitely worth adding to your bucket list.
*Click on the title of any of the state parks below for a more detailed itinerary for the specific park.
Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks we’ve ever been to and is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves hiking and exploring the great outdoors. It is located just an hour west of downtown Indianapolis and offers stunning canyons, sandstone cliffs, and picturesque trails that will leave you in awe. Visitors can climb over large boulders, descend ladders hooked to the canyon walls, navigate through narrow slots while walking through rushing water, and admire waterfalls trickling over massive cliff ledges. Turkey Run is an amazing place to visit in Indiana, which is why it tops our list of the best state parks to explore.
Suggested Hiking Itinerary:
Day 1
- Trail 3/5/9 Loop (4 mi.)
- Trail 1 (1 mi.)
- Trail 7 (0.7 mi.)
Day 2
- Trail 2 (2 mi.)
- Trail 4 (2 mi.)
- Trail 11 (0.5 mi.)
Shades State Park
Shades State Park is also located about an hour west of Indianapolis, not far from Turkey Run State Park. If rugged hiking is your crew’s jam, this is the park for you. The hiking trails will take you up the sandstone cliffs and down the shady ravines many times over as you make your way through the park’s incredible trails. Even on the sunniest of days, an almost complete canopy of trees will provide some much-needed shade for these challenging hikes. You will want sturdy, waterproof footwear as most of the trails contain plenty of mud, slippery rocks, running water, and trees or large boulders you will have to climb over. And like its neighbor Turkey Run, there will also be plenty of ladders to climb or descend throughout the cool canyons.
Suggested Hiking Itinerary:
- Trail 2 (1.8 mi.)
- Six Ravine Challenge:
- Trail 6
- Trail 9
- Trail 1
- Trail 5
- Trail 4
- Trail 7
- Trail 8
- Backpack Trail
Clifty Falls State Park
Clifty Falls State Park is located in the historic town of Madison, Indiana, just a few steps north of the Ohio River. Why should you visit? On just 1,500 acres of land, Clifty Falls State Park has FOUR waterfalls, all 60 feet or taller! Since our family can’t resist a gorgeous waterfall, and this place has four, we didn’t need another reason. However, if that doesn’t persuade you, the 12 miles of hiking trails will take you through beautiful forests, a rocky creek bed, along steep cliff ledges, and even through a 600 ft. tunnel of an abandoned railroad project. Exploring this park is an absolute must!
Suggested Hiking Itinerary:
Day 1
- Trail 7 (1.5 mi.)
- Trail 5/4/3/2 Loop (3.5 miles)
- Lilly Memorial Overlook
Day 2
- Trail 8/2 (3.5 miles)
- Trail 10 (0.75 miles)
Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park is located in Mitchell, Indiana, which is about two hours south of Indianapolis. The park spans just over 1300 acres and definitely offers something for everyone. Upon entering the park, visitors will find a museum dedicated to a Hoosier astronaut with an actual space capsule on display. Additionally, the park has hiking trails that wind through lush green forests, a serene lake perfect for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, and an entire restored village centered around a grist mill from the 1800s. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, there is also an opportunity to go cave exploring on the Twin Caves boat tour. With so much to do, this park is an ideal destination for any multi-day adventure.
Suggested Hiking Itinerary:
Day 1
- Grissom Memorial
- Trail 6 (0.25 mi.)
- Trail 3 (2.5 mi.)
- Twin Caves Boat Tour
- Trail 1 (0.4 mi.)
Day 2
- Trail 5 (1.5 mi.)
- Trail 4/Pioneer Village (2+ mi.)
- Trail 7 (1.75 mi.)
Brown Country State Park
Brown County State Park is the largest state park in Indiana, with an impressive area of almost 16,000 acres. This park is filled with rolling hills, stunning vistas, and delightfully peaceful lakes. With so much space comes an endless list of adventures. Park activities include 18 miles of hiking trails, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, and 27 miles of mountain biking trails. And if that wasn’t enough, the lovely town of Nashville, IN, has the sweetest little downtown area with many cute local restaurants and shops just minutes from the park.  Also, if you are a camping crew, we LOVE the campground inside this park.Â
Suggested Hiking Itinerary:
Day 1
- Nature Center
- Discovery Trail (0.5 mi.)
- Trail 6 (1.5 mi.)
- Friends Trail (0.25 mi.)
- Scenic Drive to all 7 Vistas
Day 2
- Trail 2 (2 mi.)
- Trail 7/4/5 Loop (3.5 mi.)
Looking for another Midwest adventure? Check out one of our favorite Illinois state parks Starved Rock State Park!
Also, check out our hiking gear and apparel below!
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