The Hoosier State might only be home to three national parks at the time of this writing, but don’t underestimate them; they’re unique, interesting, historically significant, and one of them is so jaw-droppingly beautiful that you’ll definitely need to bring your camera along for good measure. Here are the three national parks in Indiana that every Hoosier just has to visit.
- George R. Clark National Historic Park, Vincennes
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr This National Historic Park honors Colonel George R. Clark, brother of adventurer William Clark, whose men successfully fought off the British and Indian forces from Fort Sackville in 1779. This victory dramatically helped push the British to hand over much of what is now the Midwest to what is now the United States.
Paul/Flickr During your visit, you’ll want to visit the visitors center and watch an informative short film about the battle and Clark’s leadership before exploring the grounds. The memorial itself is 80 feet high and can seem imposing upon first looking up at it.
Bubba73 (Jud McCranie)/Wikimedia Surrounding the memorial are seven stunningly beautiful murals, all hand-painted over two years. The memorial is believed to be on the site of where Fort Sackville was originally located. Be sure to consult the National Park Service website to help plan your visit.
Address: 401 South 2nd Street, Vincennes, Indiana, 47591
- Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Lincoln City
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr This historic national memorial is on the grounds of the farmland where president Abraham Lincoln lived with his family from the age of seven years to 21 years, from 1816 to 1830. The grounds were originally designated as a historic landmark in 1960.
Doug Kerr/Flickr The experience is very immersive; park rangers work on the farm in full period garb, and you can talk to them, ask questions, and get information about the area and the history of the grounds. Be sure to visit the visitors center and watch the short film detailing the history of the park.
Doug Kerr/Flickr The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is open mid-spring to fall, from sunrise to sunset. Be sure to double-check the official NPS website for everything you’ll need to plan a visit.
Address: 3027 East South Street, Lincoln City, Indiana, 47552
- Indiana Dunes National Park, Chesterton
carful…from Wyoming/Flickr Easily the most beautiful park in Indiana, if not the entire Midwest, Indiana Dunes National Park was the first Indiana spot to be designated as a national park (rather than a national historic landmark or a national memorial). It was designated as such fairly recently on February 15, 2019. It features 15 miles of the southernmost shores of Lake Michigan, and the entire park spans an awe-inspiring 15,000 acres.
Tom Gill/Flickr It is breathtakingly beautiful, and there are over 50 miles of trails throughout the park to explore. This area is famous for its excellent bird-watching, and you really can’t beat a day at a beach that will make you forget you’re not in the Bahamas, either.
Tom Gill/Flickr The park is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the rest of the year from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Campground and visitor’s center hours vary depending on the time of year as well, so check the official website to plan your trip.
Address: 1215 North Indiana 49, Chesterton, Indiana, 46304
So, what do you think? Have you ever been to any of these national parks in Indiana? Which Hoosier State parks would you add the list of the national parks if you could? Tell us your picks in the comments!
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
This National Historic Park honors Colonel George R. Clark, brother of adventurer William Clark, whose men successfully fought off the British and Indian forces from Fort Sackville in 1779. This victory dramatically helped push the British to hand over much of what is now the Midwest to what is now the United States.
Paul/Flickr
During your visit, you’ll want to visit the visitors center and watch an informative short film about the battle and Clark’s leadership before exploring the grounds. The memorial itself is 80 feet high and can seem imposing upon first looking up at it.
Bubba73 (Jud McCranie)/Wikimedia
Surrounding the memorial are seven stunningly beautiful murals, all hand-painted over two years. The memorial is believed to be on the site of where Fort Sackville was originally located. Be sure to consult the National Park Service website to help plan your visit.
Address: 401 South 2nd Street, Vincennes, Indiana, 47591
This historic national memorial is on the grounds of the farmland where president Abraham Lincoln lived with his family from the age of seven years to 21 years, from 1816 to 1830. The grounds were originally designated as a historic landmark in 1960.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
The experience is very immersive; park rangers work on the farm in full period garb, and you can talk to them, ask questions, and get information about the area and the history of the grounds. Be sure to visit the visitors center and watch the short film detailing the history of the park.
The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is open mid-spring to fall, from sunrise to sunset. Be sure to double-check the official NPS website for everything you’ll need to plan a visit.
Address: 3027 East South Street, Lincoln City, Indiana, 47552
carful…from Wyoming/Flickr
Easily the most beautiful park in Indiana, if not the entire Midwest, Indiana Dunes National Park was the first Indiana spot to be designated as a national park (rather than a national historic landmark or a national memorial). It was designated as such fairly recently on February 15, 2019. It features 15 miles of the southernmost shores of Lake Michigan, and the entire park spans an awe-inspiring 15,000 acres.
Tom Gill/Flickr
It is breathtakingly beautiful, and there are over 50 miles of trails throughout the park to explore. This area is famous for its excellent bird-watching, and you really can’t beat a day at a beach that will make you forget you’re not in the Bahamas, either.
The park is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the rest of the year from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Campground and visitor’s center hours vary depending on the time of year as well, so check the official website to plan your trip.
Address: 1215 North Indiana 49, Chesterton, Indiana, 46304
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Address: 401 S 2nd St, Vincennes, IN 47591, USAAddress: 3027 E S St, Lincoln City, IN 47552, USAAddress: 1215 IN-49, Chesterton, IN 46304, USA
