FINALLY. It’s that time again: fall is here, and Indiana is about to see changing colors galore before the world is coated in layers of bright white snow. So, where are the best places to see fall color in Indiana? There is no short answer to that – the entire state often finds itself in the throes of colorful autumn splendor year after year – but we did go ahead and put together a shortlist of some of our favorites! Here are some of the best-of-the-best places in the Hoosier State to check out fall in its full glory:
- Brown County State Park
Photographer/Flickr Brown County is often touted as the single most beautiful county in the entire state, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree with that assessment. During fall, the entire county lights up in brilliant, vivid golds and oranges, and what better place to see them than Brown County State Park? You’ll love this little slice of Hoosier paradise more in fall than ever before. Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
- Spring Mill State Park
Mike Leakey/Flickr There are several state parks on this list, and for good reason: they’re simply stunning up here, especially at this time of year. Most, like Spring Mill State Park, are genuinely beautiful year-round, but there’s just something about autumn that brings out the best in the area. Check out the old mill and be hypnotized by incredible color all at the same time. Spring Mill State Park, 3333 IN-60 E, Mitchell, IN 47446, USA
- Indiana University
Aoyang Xun/Flickr Indiana University is a popular destination for leap-peepers. Campus comes alive every fall with the most brilliant hues of yellows, golds, oranges, and reds, and the mature trees all over campus are only made more impressive by the changing seasons. Indiana University Bloomington, 107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
- McCloud Nature Park
Town of Brownsburg McCloud Nature Park is one of those places that often goes tragically under-appreciated. With more than six miles of trails weaving through the woods here, McCloud Nature Park is one of the most perfect places to see fall color in Indiana. McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN 46165, USA
- Clifty Falls State Park
Shannon Tompkins/Flickr What’s better than Indiana waterfalls? Indiana waterfalls surrounded by brilliant fall color, that’s what. Clifty Falls State Park is a doozy all on its own, and it’s only made better when the leaves change. Truly, this is a premier destination for fall color in the Midwest. Clifty Falls State Park, 2221 Clifty Dr, Madison, IN 47250, USA
- Turkey Run State Park
Anthony Doudt/Flickr Turkey Run State Park is well known for just how lush and dazzlingly green it is during the summer months - but with dazzling greens usually comes remarkable golds and oranges later. Turkey Run State Park is one of those places worthy of returning to during each season, because every one has its own special magic ‘round these parts. Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA
- Shades State Park
Trevor Klatko/Flickr Okay, we admit it - we might be a little obsessed with Indiana’s state parks, but can you blame us? If you’ve never been to Shades State Park, fall is a wonderful time to do so. The park becomes a paradise filled with some of the most saturated, vibrant color you’ll ever see. Hiking in this park is second to none, so make sure to come wearing good shoes for trails! Shades State Park West Road, Shades State Park W Rd, Brown Township, IN 47933, USA
- University of Notre Dame
Dan Dzurisin/Flickr Another campus on this list? That’s right - Notre Dame is world-famous for its splendid atmosphere when coated head to toe in colorful brilliance. The older buildings juxtaposed with changing leaves is an incredibly photogenic sight, so be sure to arrive prepared. Bring your best camera - you’ll be glad you did. University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- McCormick’s Creek State Park
Sarah Altendorf/Flickr What is there to say about beautiful McCormick’s Creek State Park that we really haven’t covered already? It’s breathtaking year-round, but fall is especially perfect. Sweater weather + changing leaves = the best ingredients ever for the perfect day. McCormick’s Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
Where are your favorite places to see fall color in Indiana? Tell us about them using this form – we might just write about yours soon!
Photographer/Flickr
Brown County is often touted as the single most beautiful county in the entire state, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree with that assessment. During fall, the entire county lights up in brilliant, vivid golds and oranges, and what better place to see them than Brown County State Park? You’ll love this little slice of Hoosier paradise more in fall than ever before.
Brown County State Park Road, Brown County State Park Rd, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Mike Leakey/Flickr
There are several state parks on this list, and for good reason: they’re simply stunning up here, especially at this time of year. Most, like Spring Mill State Park, are genuinely beautiful year-round, but there’s just something about autumn that brings out the best in the area. Check out the old mill and be hypnotized by incredible color all at the same time.
Spring Mill State Park, 3333 IN-60 E, Mitchell, IN 47446, USA
Aoyang Xun/Flickr
Indiana University is a popular destination for leap-peepers. Campus comes alive every fall with the most brilliant hues of yellows, golds, oranges, and reds, and the mature trees all over campus are only made more impressive by the changing seasons.
Indiana University Bloomington, 107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
Town of Brownsburg
McCloud Nature Park is one of those places that often goes tragically under-appreciated. With more than six miles of trails weaving through the woods here, McCloud Nature Park is one of the most perfect places to see fall color in Indiana.
McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN 46165, USA
Shannon Tompkins/Flickr
What’s better than Indiana waterfalls? Indiana waterfalls surrounded by brilliant fall color, that’s what. Clifty Falls State Park is a doozy all on its own, and it’s only made better when the leaves change. Truly, this is a premier destination for fall color in the Midwest.
Clifty Falls State Park, 2221 Clifty Dr, Madison, IN 47250, USA
Anthony Doudt/Flickr
Turkey Run State Park is well known for just how lush and dazzlingly green it is during the summer months - but with dazzling greens usually comes remarkable golds and oranges later. Turkey Run State Park is one of those places worthy of returning to during each season, because every one has its own special magic ‘round these parts.
Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859, USA
Trevor Klatko/Flickr
Okay, we admit it - we might be a little obsessed with Indiana’s state parks, but can you blame us? If you’ve never been to Shades State Park, fall is a wonderful time to do so. The park becomes a paradise filled with some of the most saturated, vibrant color you’ll ever see. Hiking in this park is second to none, so make sure to come wearing good shoes for trails!
Shades State Park West Road, Shades State Park W Rd, Brown Township, IN 47933, USA
Dan Dzurisin/Flickr
Another campus on this list? That’s right - Notre Dame is world-famous for its splendid atmosphere when coated head to toe in colorful brilliance. The older buildings juxtaposed with changing leaves is an incredibly photogenic sight, so be sure to arrive prepared. Bring your best camera - you’ll be glad you did.
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
Sarah Altendorf/Flickr
What is there to say about beautiful McCormick’s Creek State Park that we really haven’t covered already? It’s breathtaking year-round, but fall is especially perfect. Sweater weather + changing leaves = the best ingredients ever for the perfect day.
McCormick’s Creek State Park, 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
Do you have any plans for this fall?
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