Indiana: Nature, Culture and Winter Experiences

If you would like to combine nature, history and a specific winter activity on a trip to Indiana, Pokagon State Park is a clear point of reference: It features a quarter-mile-long refrigerated toboggan run where speeds of 35 to 40 miles per hour can be reached. Indiana also offers extensive trail systems, waterfront landscapes, museums, historic sites and scenic travel corridors.

Winter and Nature Around Lakes, Canyons and Waterfalls

Pokagon State Park is surrounded by Lake James and Snow Lake. Together with the refrigerated toboggan run, this creates a nature and winter theme that clearly differs from classic city or museum visits. At Clifty Falls State Park, the waterfalls change depending on the weather and season: They range from roaring cascades and delicate veils of mist to gleaming, frozen giants. Clifty Canyon offers opportunities for hiking and scenic experiences year-round.

Trails for Extended Excursions

Indiana’s state park areas collectively manage more than 700 miles of trails. For longer hikes, there are trails at least 10 miles long with natural surfaces and at least one camping opportunity on or near the trail. This means that choosing a destination also depends on whether you are looking for brief nature experiences or longer excursions with a clear stage focus.

Indiana Dunes National Park offers more than 50 miles of trails across 15 different trail systems. On the southern shore of Lake Michigan, the national park also has 15 miles of sandy beach. Indiana Dunes State Park includes more than three miles of beach there. In terms of biodiversity, the national park ranks among the four richest national parks.

Mountain biking also has a strong foundation: Indiana has more than 600 miles of natural-surface trails open to mountain bikes on public or nonprofit land. These include hundreds of miles of purpose-built singletrack trails. In addition, nearly 300 agritourism destinations are spread across the state, including farm tours, pick-your-own offerings, farm markets, Christmas tree and flower farms, as well as wineries, breweries and other agricultural visitor attractions.

Experience the Landscape: Canyons and Scenic Byways

Turkey Run State Park offers the opportunity to explore deep sandstone canyons. For a road trip, 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 extends for 302 miles. The different lengths and landscape connections help you distinguish a short outing from an extended round trip.

Historic Sites with Distinctive Character

The restored Pioneer Village in Spring Mill State Park was established 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. Lanier Mansion is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. These three sites offer different focal points: a historic village, a single building dedicated to commemorative heritage and an architecturally outstanding mansion.

Falls of the Ohio State Park features 390-million-year-old Devonian fossil beds, which are among the largest exposed Devonian fossil beds in the world. The visitor center overlooks the fossil beds and offers interactive, immersive exhibits. Admission to Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site includes a scheduled tour of the Coffin House and a self-guided tour of the Interpretive Center.

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site also preserves a historic residence directly connected to documented Underground Railroad activities. In Limberlost Swamp, Gene Stratton-Porter found inspiration for her articles, fiction and photographs. During the 25 years she lived in Limberlost, she wrote six of her twelve novels there. Self-guided hikes through the nature preserves of the Limberlost Conservation Area Nature Preserves are possible all day.

Museums and Options for a Range of Interests

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum preserves a historic vehicle collection with more than 300 race cars and pace cars. At the Eiteljorg Museum, the collection of Native American and Western art is available in an online database. Museum tours are free with paid admission. For groups with different interests, this can offer a different type of visit than a purely scenic tour.

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites offer hands-on and educational experiences for visitors of all ages at all 12 locations. At Conner Prairie, visitors can rise more than 350 feet into the air in a balloon. Such offerings complement trails, beaches and historic buildings with vivid experiences, without requiring all travelers to choose the same focus.

For an additional selection within Indiana, you can also explore Orange County. If you would like to compare Indiana with other destinations, you can also find Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Connecticut, Maryland, New Mexico and Nevada.

For the higher-level travel overview: USA.