Did you know that there are 24 amazing state parks in Indiana? It’s true! Each is special and significant in its own way; some are historically significant, some are culturally significant, and others are particularly beautiful on the nature front (and some are all of the above). Everyone knows the big ones; there are Turkey Run State Park, McCormick’s Creek State Park, and Clifty Falls State Park, for example. But then, there are the parks few folks tend to even realize exist. They get lost in the shuffle among the more popular destinations, but that just makes them hidden gems, in our eyes. Let’s take a look at a little-known state park in Indiana that’s got all three of those bullet points we mentioned (historically, culturally, and naturally significant) going for it.
Lincoln State Park is located in southwestern Indiana 35 miles east of Evansville.
Al/Flickr It’s been around since 1932 and is relatively small in comparison to other state parks in Indiana, coming in at just 1,747 acres in size. It may be small, but it’s mighty. We love it quite a lot, and you’ll see why pretty easily.
On the grounds, there are two beautiful lakes, several campgrounds (both modern and primitive), and cabins or cottages available to reserve.
Lincoln State Park/Facebook The park is often overlooked in favor of the adjacent Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial; the property where his boyhood home is located is shared by both the state park and the memorial. Don’t get us wrong: the memorial is really cool, and definitely worth a visit - but while you’re at it, you cannot pass up a visit to Lincoln State Park.
The lakes are quite the popular draw, but there’s plenty more to do and see than only those.
Lincoln State Park/Facebook Contained within the park are historically significant buildings and locations such as the Noah Gordon Mill Site, the grain mill where Lincoln would often come to mill grain and, at the age of nine, sustained a head injury after being kicked by a horse. There’s also the James Gentry Home Site (where James Gentry, a man whose general store Lincoln worked at as a teenager, once lived), and other attractions like the Lincoln Amphitheater and Lincoln Interpretive Center as well.
Of course, even for those who aren’t hugely into history, these places are interesting - but the draw for them may be the immense natural beauty contained within the entire park.
Lincoln State Park/Facebook The two lakes on the grounds are breathtakingly photogenic, and there’s plenty of camping nearby. There are 10 miles of hiking trails weaving through the park as well. There are all sorts of fun things to do around here; the park offers canoe, paddleboat, and rowboat rentals, and all sorts of fishing opportunities, too - among other things. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
Perhaps best of all is the fact that, should you find these grounds as enchanting as we do, you can stay overnight (or longer)!
Lincoln State Park/Facebook There are a plethora of campsites available to reserve all over the park; there are 150 electric sites, 88 non-electric sites, and 31 primitive sites. There are also group camping areas, youth tent areas, cottages, and cabins available for reservation. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll likely find it at Lincoln State Park.
Few things are quite as magical as experiencing a sunset on the banks of a lake surrounded by surreal natural wonder; Lincoln State Park has got all that and more.
Lincoln State Park/Facebook We’re fairly certain that, once you experience all this park has to offer, you’ll love it so much that you’ll never want to leave. Unfortunately, we all have to return to real life sometime…
…but that doesn’t mean we can’t come back.
Cool10191/Wikimedia In fact, we plan on coming back a lot.
What do you think? We think this little-known state park in Indiana has got it all! Why worry about crowds when you can camp somewhere a little more off the beaten path? For more information about this little slice of heaven, be sure to check out the official Indiana.gov website.
Al/Flickr
It’s been around since 1932 and is relatively small in comparison to other state parks in Indiana, coming in at just 1,747 acres in size. It may be small, but it’s mighty. We love it quite a lot, and you’ll see why pretty easily.
Lincoln State Park/Facebook
The park is often overlooked in favor of the adjacent Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial; the property where his boyhood home is located is shared by both the state park and the memorial. Don’t get us wrong: the memorial is really cool, and definitely worth a visit - but while you’re at it, you cannot pass up a visit to Lincoln State Park.
Contained within the park are historically significant buildings and locations such as the Noah Gordon Mill Site, the grain mill where Lincoln would often come to mill grain and, at the age of nine, sustained a head injury after being kicked by a horse. There’s also the James Gentry Home Site (where James Gentry, a man whose general store Lincoln worked at as a teenager, once lived), and other attractions like the Lincoln Amphitheater and Lincoln Interpretive Center as well.
The two lakes on the grounds are breathtakingly photogenic, and there’s plenty of camping nearby. There are 10 miles of hiking trails weaving through the park as well. There are all sorts of fun things to do around here; the park offers canoe, paddleboat, and rowboat rentals, and all sorts of fishing opportunities, too - among other things. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
There are a plethora of campsites available to reserve all over the park; there are 150 electric sites, 88 non-electric sites, and 31 primitive sites. There are also group camping areas, youth tent areas, cottages, and cabins available for reservation. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll likely find it at Lincoln State Park.
We’re fairly certain that, once you experience all this park has to offer, you’ll love it so much that you’ll never want to leave. Unfortunately, we all have to return to real life sometime…
Cool10191/Wikimedia
In fact, we plan on coming back a lot.
If you can’t get enough of the amazing state parks in Indiana, no worries – neither can we! Check out some of our favorite Indiana state parks that are just waiting to be explored.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 15476 County Rd 300 E, Lincoln City, IN 47552, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Indiana State Parks January 09, 2023 Tori Jane
What are some of the most popular Indiana state parks?
Indiana is home to 24 amazing state parks which are all worthy of exploration – though, naturally, some tend to be more popular among visitors than others. The most popular Indiana state parks at the time of this writing are:
Indiana Dunes National Park
Brown County State Park Fort Harrison State Park Turkey Run State Park
2. What are the best state parks in Indiana? Of course, popularity doesn’t always indicate what’s “best”, and it’s also good to keep in mind that “best” is subjective. Other amazing state parks in Indiana worth visiting include:
Shades State Park McCormick’s Creek State Park Pokagon State Park Chain O’ Lakes State Park Shakamak State Park
3. Where are some truly beautiful places in Indiana? Don’t sleep on the rest of our amazing state, either. There are plenty of beautiful places in Indiana outside of its state parks, like:
Lake Monroe Racoon Lake State Recreation Area Michigan City
Lake Michigan
The OIYS Visitor Center
Indiana State Parks
January 09, 2023
Tori Jane
What are some of the most popular Indiana state parks?
Indiana is home to 24 amazing state parks which are all worthy of exploration – though, naturally, some tend to be more popular among visitors than others. The most popular Indiana state parks at the time of this writing are:
Indiana Dunes National Park
Brown County State Park Fort Harrison State Park Turkey Run State Park
2. What are the best state parks in Indiana? Of course, popularity doesn’t always indicate what’s “best”, and it’s also good to keep in mind that “best” is subjective. Other amazing state parks in Indiana worth visiting include:
Shades State Park McCormick’s Creek State Park Pokagon State Park Chain O’ Lakes State Park Shakamak State Park
3. Where are some truly beautiful places in Indiana? Don’t sleep on the rest of our amazing state, either. There are plenty of beautiful places in Indiana outside of its state parks, like:
Lake Monroe Racoon Lake State Recreation Area Michigan City
Lake Michigan
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Indiana is home to 24 amazing state parks which are all worthy of exploration – though, naturally, some tend to be more popular among visitors than others. The most popular Indiana state parks at the time of this writing are:
Indiana Dunes National Park
Brown County State Park
Fort Harrison State Park
Turkey Run State Park
- What are the best state parks in Indiana?
Of course, popularity doesn’t always indicate what’s “best”, and it’s also good to keep in mind that “best” is subjective. Other amazing state parks in Indiana worth visiting include:
- Shades State Park
- McCormick’s Creek State Park
- Pokagon State Park
- Chain O’ Lakes State Park
- Shakamak State Park
- Where are some truly beautiful places in Indiana?
Don’t sleep on the rest of our amazing state, either. There are plenty of beautiful places in Indiana outside of its state parks, like:
Lake Monroe
Racoon Lake State Recreation Area
Michigan City
Lake Michigan
