Indiana may not high each traveler’s record, however on my month-long highway journey across the state I found golden lake shores, windswept dunes, limitless cornfields, leafy parks, and mysterious caves. Listed here are the locations that gained me over…
1. Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park
The Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park was one of the crucial tranquil and lovely locations I explored on my journey—15 miles of golden sandy shoreline alongside Lake Michigan with picturesque dunes rising behind it made the views unforgettable and gave the entire place a peaceable, restorative vibe!
I drove simply an hour southeast from Chicago and stayed for 4 days on the funky Al & Sally’s Motel. I hiked to Mount Baldy (the extraordinary shifting dune!), noticed herons alongside the Nice Marsh Path, and explored Chellberg Farm, the place I discovered how households lived and labored the land within the early 1900s. The one caveat—I discovered the water high quality can differ, so I needed to test experiences earlier than swimming!
My favourite highlights…
- Seeing patches of the uncommon Jap Prickly Pear blooming alongside the sandy trails of the Dunes—their sunny yellow flowers seemed nearly neon in opposition to the intense blue skies!
2. East Pierhead Lighthouse
I personally thought this was one of the crucial photogenic spots on my Indiana highway journey – standing on the finish of the pier in Washington Park, its red-roofed 1904 tower in opposition to the blue expanse of Lake Michigan made it an icon of Michigan Metropolis.
From Indiana Dunes it was solely a 20-minute drive, and I strolled the pier and the slim metal “catwalk” that linked the lighthouse to the shore. Though I couldn’t go inside, I spent the afternoon absorbing the views, then wandered by way of Washington Park with its seashore, marina, and the quaint Michigan Metropolis Lighthouse Museum.
My private highlights…
- Staying for sundown – I beloved how the sky gentle up with oranges, pinks, reds, golds, and even a contact of violet after which staying in a single day on the close by distinctive and comfy Brewery Lodge Resort – it was a really romantic few days!
3. Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park actually gained me over with its unspoilt magnificence – 2,382 acres of sandstone gorges, old-growth forests, hemlock groves, and the glowing Sugar Creek made it one of the crucial hanging parks I explored in Indiana, with a rugged, adventurous vibe that I couldn’t get sufficient of!
After a two-hour drive west from Sapphire Pure Pool in St. Paul, I spent three days on the charming Turkey Run Inn & Cabins mountaineering the rugged Path 3 with its ladders and slim gorges (my photograph is above!), crossing the photogenic suspension bridge over Sugar Creek, touring the historic Lusk Residence and Mill Website, and cooling off within the Olympic-size pool. Each nook felt wild, dramatic, and unforgettable!
My private highlights…
- Stopping by the lovable onsite Golden Forest Reward Store (which additionally doubled as a bakery) and shopping for an indulgent triple-berry honeycomb cheesecake and regionally made Cedarwood & Sage Cleaning soap!
4. Washington Park Seaside
Washington Park Seaside was one of the crucial beautiful and dreamy sandy stretches I visited on my Indiana journey —two miles of golden shoreline with beautiful views of Lake Michigan, the East Pierhead Lighthouse, and since it was a transparent day I even noticed the Chicago skyline.
After strolling over from East Pierhead Lighthouse, I spent a relaxed day swimming within the designated areas, and later catching reside music on the sand and staying for a second night time at my base within the distinctive Brewery Lodge Resort. I additionally wandered by way of the broader park with its picnic spots, marina, and family-friendly playgrounds, although I discovered it was finest to test the water high quality earlier than diving in!
My favourite highlights…
- Listening to from locals that in January, the freezing water and crashing waves created dramatic ice formations and pure sculptures alongside the shore—it sounded magical!
5. Brown County State Park
I beloved how the Brown County State Park was so dreamy and unspoilt—rolling hills, foggy ravines, and fiery autumn colours gave it the vibe of Indiana’s personal “Little Smokies.”
After driving simply over an hour south-southeast from Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, I spent two days mountaineering Path 9 with its fairly views of Ogle Lake, wandering the peaceable forested Path 7, and leaf-peeping alongside the scenic Park Loop Highway. The entire place had a relaxed, rustic allure that made it one among my favourite spots on my journey!
My highlights…
- Staying over on the household and pet pleasant Abe Martin Lodge – I beloved the enjoyable indoor water park and munching on Persimmon Pudding Bites on my rustic cabin porch!
6. Cataract Falls
The Cataract Falls wowed me with each their energy and sweetness—I discovered Indiana’s largest waterfalls dropped 86 toes in two dramatic cascades alongside Mill Creek surrounded by flat rock ledges that gave the entire space a relaxed, picnic-perfect vibe.
From Turkey Run I drove simply over an hour east to Lieber State Recreation Space and spent a day exploring – photographing the charming Cataract Falls Coated Bridge, mountaineering the brief scenic trails, pausing usually to only take within the Insta-worthy surroundings after which retreating again to my super-cute close by base the Cascades Inn!
My highlights…
- I hiked the simple mile-long Cataract Falls Loop in 45 minutes – I beloved listening to the thunder of each waterfalls fading into the mild trickle of sunlit Mill Creek!
7. Hoosier Nationwide Forest
What struck me most in regards to the Hoosier Nationwide Forest was its untouched magnificence—sprawling hardwood forests, limestone bluffs, caves, and shimmering lakes that created a peaceable, off-the-radar vibe.
From Bloomington I drove 45 minutes south into the Hoosier Nationwide Forest and spent two days on the distinctive and Insta-worthy Misplaced River Hostel exploring – crawling by way of the fascinating Sullivan Cave, mountaineering the dramatic Hemlock Cliffs with its waterfall, backpacking within the wild Charles C. Deam Wilderness, and unwinding on the peaceable Hardin Ridge Recreation Space overlooking Patoka Lake.
My favourite highlights….
- Heading out to the massive Wesley Chapel Gulf, the park’s largest sinkhole—I simply parked up and walked over to seek out this shadowy sinkhole with uncovered limestone, the place the cool, damp air rose up from the depths as I peered inside!
8. Indiana State Capitol Constructing
The Indiana State Capitol Constructing in downtown Indianapolis actually impressed me with its grandeur—inbuilt 1888 from regionally quarried limestone and white oak, its neoclassical dome gleamed above town skyline and gave the entire place a stately, historic vibe!
Only a brief 15-minute drive from Holliday Park I primarily based myself on the stylish 4-star Bottleworks Resort and set out. I toured the inside and was wowed by the marble staircases, stained-glass rotunda window, opulent chandeliers, and galleries of classical work and sculptures. Taking a guided tour made the historical past come alive, though it was the height season so it was additionally very crowded!
My highlights…
- Admiring the grand marble staircases and the ornate Supreme Courtroom Chamber with its carved quarter-sawn oak paneling and stained-glass skylights—it felt very inspiring to face within the place the place so many large selections have been made!
9. Clifty Falls State Park
I discovered that Clifty Falls State Park had a wild, off-the-beaten-path vibe with beautiful surroundings consisting of rugged canyons, cascading waterfalls, and dense forests which made it really feel splendidly distant and uncrowded.
I truly ended my Indiana highway journey on this spot, driving two hours southeast from Cataract Falls to Madison and spending two days mountaineering to the 4 waterfalls—Massive Clifty, Little Clifty, Hoffman, and Tunnel Falls—whereas braving the eerie, dripping deserted railroad tunnel and even performing some primitive tenting!
My favourite highlights…
- Staying on the close by Riverboat Inn and Suites – I beloved waking as much as a breakfast of Candy Cornbread with Honey Butter in my deluxe suite which missed the Ohio River!
10. Holliday Park
I found that Holliday Park was a shocking spot for its distinctive mix of artwork and nature. The hanging ruins of New York’s St. Paul Constructing rose like sculptures in opposition to a backdrop of inexperienced woodlands, fairly ponds, and the winding White River giving it a novel, artistic vibe.
After driving slightly below an hour southwest from Anderson, I spent a day wandering its trails, recognizing birds, picnicking by the water, and trying out the nature-themed playground. I particularly beloved pausing on the creative stone ruins – they have been so atmospheric and unexpectedly Instagram-worthy in the midst of Indianapolis!
My highlights…
- Strolling the simple 0.4-mile Pond Path in 20 minutes, pausing to see lily pads dotted with dragonflies, frog calls echoing from the reeds, and sycamore reflections shimmering on the pond!
11. Griffy Lake Nature Protect
I discovered that Griffy Lake Nature Protect was a peaceable magnificence spot —1,200 acres of forests, wetlands, and rolling hills wrapped round a glowing 109-acre lake with a peaceable, hidden-gem vibe simply exterior Bloomington.
After a fast 30-minute hop west from Brown County State Park, I spent the day kayaking throughout the tranquil lake, picnicking by the shore, and mountaineering the simple Wetlands Path, the place I noticed frogs basking within the solar and even a painted turtle slipping quietly into the water!
My private highlights…
- Having fun with a picnic by the boat launch tables, absorbing glowing lake views and being excited to identify a bald eagle hovering and whistling overhead!
12. Mounds State Park
I discovered first hand that the Mounds State Park was a beautiful spot for its mixture of historical past and nature – right here historic Adena-Hopewell earthworks rose from rolling hardwood forests and wildflower meadows giving it a tranquil, nearly non secular vibe!
After leaving Washington Park Seaside, I drove three hours southeast by way of farmland to Anderson and spent a day exploring – climbing the Nice Mound courting again to 160 B.C. for panoramic views, mountaineering just a few of the six scenic trails alongside the White River, and discovering quiet spot to take a picnic surrounded by tweeting birds and fairly flowers!
My private highlights…
- Mountain climbing the peaceable 1.4-mile Path 5 in 50 minutes – I adopted the winding White River, noticed an important blue heron on the banks, and watched wild turkeys foraging noisily by way of the forest ground!
13. Coxhall Gardens
Coxhall Gardens charmed me with its good stability of blooming gardens and hanging artwork items —sprawling lawns, flower-filled gardens, and chic statues gave the property a refined but relaxed vibe.
From downtown Indianapolis it was only a 30-minute drive north to Carmel, the place I picnicked beneath the chiming 90-foot Carillon Bell Towers, wandered the manicured grounds previous sculptures and ornate ponds, peeked on the stately Coxhall Mansion from afar, and loved the picturesque Youngsters’s Pavilion tucked into the gardens.
My favourite highlights…
- Strolling by way of the flower-lined paths earlier than settling on the picnic tables close to the Youngsters’s Backyard—then people-watching whereas gorging on blueberry soda and Maple Bourbon popcorn!
14. Sapphire Pure Pool, White Rock Park
The Sapphire Pure Pool dazzled me with its hanging turquoise water that made the previous quarry really feel nearly tropical and really adventurous!
After a 90-minute drive northeast from Hoosier Nationwide Forest, I spent a day zip-lining over the pool, tenting on the grounds, and even watching licensed scuba divers descend into the depths. The one catch—there have been no lifeguards right here, so I discovered that all the pieces was achieved at your personal danger!
My highlights…
- Watching the daredevils hurled themselves off the cliffs, plunging into the quarry’s good blue water with thunderous splashes and wild cheers (my photograph is above)!
The place is Indiana?
Indiana is a Midwestern state within the USA, nestled between Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan, with Lake Michigan to the north and the Ohio River forming a lot of its southern border.
