INDIANAPOLIS — Hoosiers don't even have to travel out of state to witness some of the most majestic views the American wilderness has to offer.
According to the 2024 State Park Index, assembled by vacation rental company HomeToGo, Indiana is home to three of the top 50 "Best State Parks to Visit this Summer and Fall."
See which Hoosier parks are among the best in the United States.
Indiana Dunes State Park
The only Hoosier destination to land in the top ten is the Indiana Dunes State Park. Nestled upon the shores of Lake Michigan in Northwest Indiana, this majestic view of rolling dunes, swaying grass and endless blue-on-blue will steal your breath away.
Ranked at number 6 on the 2024 State Park Index, Indiana Dunes State Park landed a near-perfect score in Wildlife — one of the five categories used to rank each of the state parks.
While the dune's low score in popularity may have hurt its final standing, this could be a blessing for travelers wishing to explore the shifting wilderness and experience the majesty of nature without all those pesky tourists blocking your photographs.
Indiana Dunes State Park complete scorecard:
- Popularity: 6.01
- Size: 5.20
- Trails: 7.93
- Wildlife: 9.86
- Picturesqueness: 6.23
- Total score: 35.23
Turkey Run State Park
Coming in at 18 on the 2024 State Park Index is Turkey Run State Park.
Located in Parke County in western Indiana, Turkey Run State Park offers beautiful hiking trails that cut through rocky canyons and some of the most unique views in the state.
Peep at covered bridges, skirt around the Punch Bowl, squeeze through the Rocky Hollow and climb the ladders at Bear Hollow. There is a reason Turkey Run State Park is regarded by many as the best park in the whole state.
Turkey Run State Park complete scorecard:
- Popularity: 5.10
- Size: 5.22
- Trails: 7.24
- Wildlife: 5.90
- Picturesqueness: 6.21
- Total score: 29.67
Potato Creek State Park
Coming in at 34 on the 2024 State Park Index is Potato Creek State Park.
Located in southwest of South Bend, this gorgeous park features the 327-acre Worster Lake and a wide array of woodlands, prairies and wetlands.
A 120-room lodge and conference center set on the banks of the Worster Lake may soon make Potato Creek State Park one of the premiere destinations in northern Indiana for a perfect lakeside retreat.
Potato Creek State Park complete scorecard:
- Popularity: 5.05
- Size: 5.36
- Trails: 6.38
- Wildlife: 5.29
- Picturesqueness: 5.22
- Total score: 27.30