Indiana has a total of 25 state parks scattered throughout the state. All are unique in their own way and here we are listing our top 5 Indiana State Parks. The parks listed are all kid friendly. The parks/trails allow dogs as long as they are leashed. Please note all Indiana state parks have an entrance fee.
This list is subjective and based off personal experiences.
1. Turkey Run & Shades State Park
Turkey Run is over 2,000 acres of deep canyons along Sugar Creek river. Turkey Run is unique for its canyons and limestone walls. Most trails run along slippery wet limestone making it pretty tricky and, at times, dangerous.
Expect to get wet! Turkey Run has a 5 mile hiking challenge that will allow you to see a majority of the park in one go while experiencing the popular and unique Punch Bowl and Boulder Canyon. This is a great park and with that it does get extremely busy during the summer weekends. Be prepared to arrive early during peak season.
The park also has an Inn with either cabin options or stay within the lodge if you want to experience the park, but not camp. Amenities at the Turkey Run Inn offers an indoor pool, game room, and a relaxing lobby to lounge around next to a relaxing fire place.
There is also a campground. It is important to note that the entrance to the campground is not inside the main gate but is located just west on Highway 47.
For more information or to book a stay visit the Turkey Run Page Here.
While Shades is a few miles from Turkey Run State Park, they share lots of the similar features of ravines and canyons. Shades has a hiking challenge similar to Turkey Run to really experience the park and all its ravines. Shades 6 Ravine Challenge is a 4.42 mile hike around the park taking you through ravines and along Sugar Creek. Read more about the Shades 6 Ravine Challenge Here.
Shades State Park does not have a lodge like the other parks, however they do have a unique backpacking trail. This 2.5 mile trail is great for beginner backpackers wanting to get into backpacking. The Backpack Trail sites have a water spigot, restrooms and bundled firewood for purchase with a drop box honor system.
There’s a maintenance road that leads to the campgrounds so Shades can replenish firewood, clean restrooms and collect trash from the heavy metal trash compartment. For more information and our experience hiking The Shades Backpack Trail here.
2. Brown County State Park
When you hear of Indiana you think of flat land and corn. Well for the most part that is true until you get to Brown County State Park. Brown County is a 16,000 square acre park in the southern part of Indiana. Brown County has the nickname the “Little Smokies’ and the views will show you why.
All the lookouts are easily accessible by car. Going in the fall will bring amazing views of the fall foliage.
Brown county has two lakes with great family friendly trails around them. Not interested in hiking the lakes? You are allowed to fish these lakes with a permit, of course.
Brown County State Park also has some of the best mountain bike trails around. While you visit, don’t forget to take a drive down the street to Nashville. Nashville is a small town with local shops and food.
This state park also hosts cabins and non camping lodging at the Abe Martin Inn. The Abe Martin Inn has an indoor waterpark with lazy river and a slide to cool off after a hot day on the trails. The lodge also offers a game/arcade room and a lounge area next to a soothing fireplace.
For more information or to book a stay visit the Brown County State Park page here
3. Pokagon State Park
Pokagon State Park is located in the north east part of the state. Pokagon, although located in the northern part of the state which is mainly flat, offers hiking into deep woods and wetlands. This park offers horseback riding during the summer and in the winter it’s most popular attraction is the Tobogan Run.
This unique park offers its own unique hiking challenge like other Indiana State Parks. The Hell’s Pointe Challenge 8.5 mile hiking challenge that takes you around the entire park where you experience wetlands and dense forests. For more information and our experience on this challenge Visit The Hell’s Pointe Challenge Here.
The Pokagon lodge called the Potawatomi Inn & Cabins. Is one of my favorite lodges of all the state parks. This lodge is almost like a small resort.
Offering an indoor pool, in house cafe, and multiple lounge areas with fireplaces, TV’s, and large fish tanks. Not to mention a large outdoor sitting area to view the lake or sit under the stars. This lodge has it all.
For more information or to book a stay visit the Pokagon State Park page here
Bigfoot Tip: Potawatomi Inn & Cabins is most popular in the winter time due to the Tabogon Run. The summer months are generally less busy and offers a lake beach area for swimming.
4. Clifty Falls State Park
If you love waterfalls then Clifty Falls State Park is the place for you. While the park advertises four main falls which include Big and Little Clifty, Hoffman Falls, and Tunnel Falls.
The park has over 20 waterfalls throughout the area. Another unique feature this park has is a bat cave you can walk through. However to protect hibernating bats this is only open seasonally so check the park site for more information.
Clifty Falls State Park offers its own hiking challenge as well. The Four Falls Challenge is around 4 miles and will take you to the four main waterfalls and also along the bat cave so you can experience all the attraction in the park in one afternoon.
For more information and our experience with the Four Falls Challenge Click Here
This amazing park has its own lodging, the Clifty Inn. This is a newly renovated lodge with updated amenities. The Clifty Inn has an indoor pool, game room, and a large lounge area with a fireplace and multiple smaller sitting areas throughout the lodge.
To enjoy your stay just a little bit more try and snag a river view room. The river view room overlooks the Ohio river and the town of Madison.
For more information or to book a stay visit the Clifty Inn page here
5. McCormick’s Creek State Park
McCormicks Creek is a small park in comparison at 1924 acres and yet a very unique state park. Exploring limestone canyons with a main attraction waterfall and Wolf Cave which is a small cave you can walk and crawl threw off on trail 5.
The Waterfall is very easy to get to either by walking from the lodge or driving to the waterfall parking areas. This is a very popular swimming spot on warm days so get there early. There is a newly rebuilt fire tower that you can climb to the top of as well.
The Canyon Inn has an outdoor pool, indoor game room, and lounge area with a relaxing fireplace. While is this a smaller park and lodge ,don’t be fooled. McCormicks gets extremely busy in the summer months.
Indiana may not be known as a must see hiking state, but we think we have some of the most diverse and beautiful terrain around. From the Dunes to Clifty Falls, there is an experience for all types of outdoorsman.
Even though we only list 5 here, there are 21 other amazing State Parks to visit and countless local parks to explore. We are so fortunate to have these amazing parks within a days drive. Now, all you have to decide is where to head to next.
