Scenic Road Trip In Indiana Fall In Love With The State Again

It’s no secret that Indiana is an incredibly beautiful state. Whether you live here or are just visiting, there’s no way you haven’t caught yourself admiring something beautiful around these parts before, whether it was our awe-inspiring waterfalls, enchanting forests, fascinating covered bridges, or anything in between. If it’s been a little while, though, we’ve gone ahead and created this handy scenic road trip in Indiana trip that’ll help you fall in love with the most beautiful parts of the Hoosier State all over again. You can follow along by utilizing this handy map with directions we’ve made for you. Get in the car and let’s go – this is going to be awe-inspiring!

Don’t forget to buckle up!

Google Maps This road trip to some of the most scenic places in Indiana is going to be epic!

Let’s begin our adventure at what is easily one of the most beautiful places in Indiana.

Tom Gill/Flickr

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory/Flickr The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is, in part, one of Indiana’s newest National Parks. Explore the single most unique landscape in the entire Hoosier State as you traverse sand dunes and admire the ocean-like beauty of Lake Michigan. This National Park in Indiana is one of the most scenic in the United States, and we’re lucky to call it our own. Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA

Up next, we’ll meander over to the town of Nappanee, which is literally famous for its photogenic scenery and friendly populace.

Ron Frazier/Flickr

Tom Gill/Flickr When it comes to spectacular Indiana scenery, you can’t miss the famous Nappanee “Round Barn,” pictured above. Nor can you pass up on exploring the vibrant history of Nappanee by way of museums, parks, and more. This is one small town in Indiana you’ll remember forever. Nappanee, IN 46550, USA

Our third stop will be one of Indiana’s most intriguing and strange-looking geological wonders: the Seven Pillars of Peru.

Kevin Audette/AllTrails

Trekking Minimalism/AllTrails Formed over thousands of years of riverside erosion, the Seven Pillars epitomizes stunning Indiana scenery, and they have always been considered a sacred place by local Native peoples. The pillars are strange looking at first, but they beckon you to come closer, and when you do, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of this uniquely Indiana feature. This is an underrated natural feature in Indiana that you’ll fall in love with immediately. Seven Pillars Nature Preserve - ACRES Land Trust, 3985 Mississinewa Rd, Peru, IN 46970, USA

Second-to-last (but absolutely nowhere near least), we’ll check out the beautiful little town of Carmel.

Carmel Central/Flickr

Serge Melki/Flickr Carmel is known for its elegance and beauty, as well as some of the best shops in Indiana to get your retail (and/or foodie) fix on. We love Carmel so much that we even bestowed upon it the title of the friendliest town in Indiana, so be sure to take your time and enjoy this little slice of utopia right here in the Hoosier State. No scenic road trip in Indiana would be complete without it! Carmel, IN, USA

Finally, we’ll end our journey at one of Indiana’s most beautiful places: Brown County, namely Brown County State Park.

Elizabeth Nicodemus/Flickr

Photographer/Flickr Brown County has the distinguished honor of frequently being called the most beautiful county in Indiana, and we’re not surprised. It really IS astonishingly beautiful, and the state park is the perfect place to really absorb that sense of wonder for yourself. Make a whole night out of it and camp here - you won’t regret it. Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA

So, what do you think? Any plans to embark upon this epic road trip in Indiana? Or, Have you already enjoyed some of these amazing spots? Either way, we’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

Google Maps

This road trip to some of the most scenic places in Indiana is going to be epic!

Tom Gill/Flickr

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory/Flickr

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is, in part, one of Indiana’s newest National Parks. Explore the single most unique landscape in the entire Hoosier State as you traverse sand dunes and admire the ocean-like beauty of Lake Michigan. This National Park in Indiana is one of the most scenic in the United States, and we’re lucky to call it our own.

Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA

Ron Frazier/Flickr

When it comes to spectacular Indiana scenery, you can’t miss the famous Nappanee “Round Barn,” pictured above. Nor can you pass up on exploring the vibrant history of Nappanee by way of museums, parks, and more. This is one small town in Indiana you’ll remember forever.

Nappanee, IN 46550, USA

Kevin Audette/AllTrails

Trekking Minimalism/AllTrails

Formed over thousands of years of riverside erosion, the Seven Pillars epitomizes stunning Indiana scenery, and they have always been considered a sacred place by local Native peoples. The pillars are strange looking at first, but they beckon you to come closer, and when you do, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of this uniquely Indiana feature. This is an underrated natural feature in Indiana that you’ll fall in love with immediately.

Seven Pillars Nature Preserve - ACRES Land Trust, 3985 Mississinewa Rd, Peru, IN 46970, USA

Carmel Central/Flickr

Serge Melki/Flickr

Carmel is known for its elegance and beauty, as well as some of the best shops in Indiana to get your retail (and/or foodie) fix on. We love Carmel so much that we even bestowed upon it the title of the friendliest town in Indiana, so be sure to take your time and enjoy this little slice of utopia right here in the Hoosier State. No scenic road trip in Indiana would be complete without it!

Carmel, IN, USA

Elizabeth Nicodemus/Flickr

Photographer/Flickr

Brown County has the distinguished honor of frequently being called the most beautiful county in Indiana, and we’re not surprised. It really IS astonishingly beautiful, and the state park is the perfect place to really absorb that sense of wonder for yourself. Make a whole night out of it and camp here - you won’t regret it.

Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA

For more scenic adventures in Indiana, you might consider trekking along some of these amazing hiking trails.

Still clamoring for more Indiana beauty? Then check out this backpacking video:

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Adventures in Indiana February 02, 2023 Lysa Allman-Baldwin What are some fun things to do in the winter in Indiana?

Central Park Plaza – Every winter this Indiana favorite located in Valparaiso offers ice skating and skating events. Whitewater Valley Railroad – The annual Christmastime North Pole train ride in Connersville is a popular attraction. Martinsville Candy Kitchen – This family-owned candy shop has been located in Martinsville and is over 100 years old. The confections are amazing in the winter, as well as all year-long.

Read on to learn more about some fun things to do in the winter in Indiana.   What are some of the best places to go hiking in Indiana?

Turkey Run State Park – Located in Marshall, the park is home to The Grand Canyon of the Midwest and features a thrilling suspension bridge. Pokagon State Park – Located in Angola, this park features a wide array of trails, most of them perfectly suited for beginners. Clifty Falls State Park– Located in Madison, one of the park highlights is a 14-mile loop trail that many folks consider to be one of the best hiking trails in Indiana.

Read on to learn more about some of the best places to go hiking in Indiana.   Where do people travel for day trips in Indiana?

Wilstem Ranch – Located in Paoli, Wilstem Ranch is a one-of-a-kind elephant ranch offering unique opportunities including petting and feeding these beautiful creatures. White Rock Park – Located in St Paul, the park is home to a natural sapphire pool where visitors can cliff dive, fish, zipline, and swim. Berne – Berne is a charming former Swiss town that has managed to maintain a great deal of its early history. A great place to start is the interactive museum here.

Read on to learn more about some of the best day trips in Indiana.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Adventures in Indiana

February 02, 2023

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

What are some fun things to do in the winter in Indiana?

Central Park Plaza – Every winter this Indiana favorite located in Valparaiso offers ice skating and skating events. Whitewater Valley Railroad – The annual Christmastime North Pole train ride in Connersville is a popular attraction. Martinsville Candy Kitchen – This family-owned candy shop has been located in Martinsville and is over 100 years old. The confections are amazing in the winter, as well as all year-long.

Read on to learn more about some fun things to do in the winter in Indiana.   What are some of the best places to go hiking in Indiana?

Turkey Run State Park – Located in Marshall, the park is home to The Grand Canyon of the Midwest and features a thrilling suspension bridge. Pokagon State Park – Located in Angola, this park features a wide array of trails, most of them perfectly suited for beginners. Clifty Falls State Park– Located in Madison, one of the park highlights is a 14-mile loop trail that many folks consider to be one of the best hiking trails in Indiana.

Read on to learn more about some of the best places to go hiking in Indiana.   Where do people travel for day trips in Indiana?

Wilstem Ranch – Located in Paoli, Wilstem Ranch is a one-of-a-kind elephant ranch offering unique opportunities including petting and feeding these beautiful creatures. White Rock Park – Located in St Paul, the park is home to a natural sapphire pool where visitors can cliff dive, fish, zipline, and swim. Berne – Berne is a charming former Swiss town that has managed to maintain a great deal of its early history. A great place to start is the interactive museum here.

Read on to learn more about some of the best day trips in Indiana.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

• Central Park Plaza – Every winter this Indiana favorite located in Valparaiso offers ice skating and skating events.
• Whitewater Valley Railroad – The annual Christmastime North Pole train ride in Connersville is a popular attraction.
• Martinsville Candy Kitchen – This family-owned candy shop has been located in Martinsville and is over 100 years old. The confections are amazing in the winter, as well as all year-long.

Read on to learn more about some fun things to do in the winter in Indiana.

What are some of the best places to go hiking in Indiana?

• Turkey Run State Park – Located in Marshall, the park is home to The Grand Canyon of the Midwest and features a thrilling suspension bridge.
• Pokagon State Park – Located in Angola, this park features a wide array of trails, most of them perfectly suited for beginners.
• Clifty Falls State Park– Located in Madison, one of the park highlights is a 14-mile loop trail that many folks consider to be one of the best hiking trails in Indiana.

Read on to learn more about some of the best places to go hiking in Indiana.

Where do people travel for day trips in Indiana?

• Wilstem Ranch – Located in Paoli, Wilstem Ranch is a one-of-a-kind elephant ranch offering unique opportunities including petting and feeding these beautiful creatures.
• White Rock Park – Located in St Paul, the park is home to a natural sapphire pool where visitors can cliff dive, fish, zipline, and swim.
• Berne – Berne is a charming former Swiss town that has managed to maintain a great deal of its early history. A great place to start is the interactive museum here.

Read on to learn more about some of the best day trips in Indiana.