Discover Indiana: Dunes, Canyons and History

Indiana combines surprisingly diverse travel experiences: along Lake Michigan, there are broad sandy beaches and species-rich dune landscapes; the state also offers canyons and waterfalls, while historic sites and museums provide insights into the state’s history. When choosing a vacation rental, it is therefore worth first deciding on your preferred focus: extensive trails, nature observation, culture or a varied mix.

Trails, Dunes and Waterfalls

Those who want to explore Indiana on foot will find a wide selection. Altogether, there are nearly 4,600 miles of public hiking and other trails. The state park areas manage more than 700 miles of trails collectively. In addition, there are more than 600 miles of nature trails on public or nonprofit land that are open to mountain bikes; these include hundreds of miles of purpose-built singletrack trails. Longer hikes are also possible: Indiana has nature trails at least 10 miles long with at least one camping opportunity along or near the trail.

Indiana Dunes National Park showcases the character of the landscape particularly impressively. Along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, a 15-mile-long sandy beach stretches out; in addition, more than 50 miles of trails lead through 15 different trail systems. The park ranks among the four most biologically diverse national parks. Indiana Dunes State Park complements this landscape with more than three miles of beach. Travelers primarily looking for water, dunes and nature experiences can make these areas the thematic focus of their trip.

At Clifty Falls State Park, the scenery changes with the weather and the seasons: the waterfalls range from thundering cascades and delicate veils of mist to gleaming, frozen giants. Clifty Canyon offers opportunities for hiking and experiencing the landscape year-round. At Turkey Run State Park, visitors can explore deep sandstone gorges. Pokagon State Park is surrounded by Lake James and Snow Lake. It also features a quarter-mile-long refrigerated toboggan run, where speeds of 35 to 40 miles per hour can be reached.

History, Fossils and Museums

Indiana is equally well suited to trips that combine nature and culture. The restored Pioneer Village in Spring Mill State Park was founded in 1814 and includes 20 historic buildings. The Colonel Richard Lieber Cabin in Turkey Run State Park commemorates the achievements of the father of Indiana’s state park system. Falls of the Ohio State Park contains 390-million-year-old Devonian fossil beds, among the largest exposed Devonian fossil beds in the world. The visitor center overlooks these fossil beds and offers interactive, immersive exhibits.

Historical figures and social issues also become tangible at specific sites. Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site preserves a historic home directly connected with documented Underground Railroad activities. Admission includes a timed tour of the Coffin House and a self-guided tour of the Interpretive Center. Gene Stratton-Porter lived in Limberlost for 25 years and wrote six of her twelve novels there. Limberlost Swamp inspired her to write articles and fiction and to create photographs; self-guided hikes through the nature preserves of the Limberlost Conservation Area are possible all day.

Indianapolis offers further cultural highlights. The historic vehicle collection at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum includes more than 300 race cars and pace cars. The Eiteljorg Museum presents Native American and Western art; its collection is available in an online database, and guided tours are free with paid admission. The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites offer hands-on, educational experiences for visitors of all ages at all 12 locations. Lanier Mansion is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. At Conner Prairie, visitors can rise more than 350 feet into the air in a balloon.

Regional Impressions and Trip Planning

For an independent trip, Indiana offers longer connections in addition to individual attractions. The Indiana Byway Program recognizes travel corridors that stand out for their scenic beauty, history, culture and recreational value. The Ohio River Scenic Byway in Indiana stretches for 302 miles. Those who enjoy combining different impressions can also consider nearly 300 agritourism destinations. These include farm tours, pick-your-own opportunities, farm markets, Christmas tree and flower farms, as well as wineries, breweries and other agricultural visitor attractions.

A vacation rental in Indiana can therefore be the starting point for very different vacation days: long trails and landscapes, historic sites, museum visits or regional agritourism attractions. What matters is which experiences should define your stay and which part of the state you choose as the focus of your search.

Subregions for Your Further Search

For regional orientation, you can visit the following subregions: Vanderburgh, Clark, Pike, Scott, Monroe, Morgan, Johnson, Hendricks, Marion, Parke, Hamilton, Allen, Porter, Ripley, Lake, Lawrence, Vigo, Delaware, Elkhart, Tippecanoe, Jackson, St. Joseph, Laporte, Hancock County, Boone County, Grant County, Perry County, Floyd County, Miami County, Madison County, Harrison County, Henry County, Steuben County, Spencer County, Montgomery County, Newton County, Warren County, Dubois County, Indiana County, Knox County, Lagrange County, Cass County, Rush County, Washington County, Marshall County, Jay County, Posey County, Putnam County, Noble County, Gibson County, Benton County, Orange County, Whitley County, Fayette, Kosciusko County, Jennings County, Adams County, Bartholomew County, Clay County, Howard County, Carroll County, Fulton County, Fountain County, Vermillion County, Tipton County, Wabash County, Pulaski County, Huntington County, Greene County, Starke County, Wells County and Shelby County.

To the higher-level travel overview: USA.