INDIANA – As Summer nears its end, and Fall starts to arrive, activities can become scarce at a moment’s notice. Indiana has plenty of State Parks and Festivals to fill the void during the Fall season, which provides scenic and breathtaking views of Fall foliage. These five locations offer Indiana’s best view of the fall season.
Spring Mill State Park
Location: Mitchell, IN
Set against a backdrop of stately oaks and rolling scenic hills outside of Mitchell, Indiana, Spring Mill State Park offers scenic vistas bustling with activity. Hiking, caves and much more await visitors to the park.
Explore the restored pioneer village that will transport you to the 1800s, or head underground on a guided tour through the Twin Caves, offering a powerful illustration of the link between the natural and cultural worlds. A parcel of virgin timber sits in contrast to regenerated forest, a man-made lake struggles to survive against the in-flow of silt from cave-fed systems.
Brown County State Park
Location: Nashville, IN
This 16,000-acre park is the largest in the state, offering ample hiking trails, scenic drives, and even a guided horseback ride that can get you up close and personal with the fall foliage. The park has the beautiful Stahl Lake and RV/Camping options available.
Not too far from Nashville, you can enjoy the views from the park, and make your way to the quaint little town shops and restaurants, while taking in all that the fall has to offer.
Clifty Falls State Park
Location: Madison, IN
Just west of Madison on Route 56, this park has a great view of the Ohio River. This scenic, winding drive-through opportunity, shows some of the best views from the seat of your car.
Picturesque waterfalls, cliffs, and deep gorges are clearly visible, and wrapped in the beauty of the fall season. The park also offers scenic trails and hiking spots throughout the entire area, a great area for photo and hiking enthusiasts.
Parke County
Location: Parke County
This County offers a visual spectacle, as 31 covered bridges are available to see in the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World.” Adding the scenic view of fall makes it that much better during the annual Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, running from October 14th through 23rd. The area does bring a lot of traffic due to the festival, but you can’t beat the view.
Take your time, as each bridge has a unique story to tell. While in the area, be sure to check out the area’s Amish Country to take in the full experience.
Turkey Run State Park
Location: Marshall, IN
Tucked in along State Road 47 southwest of Crawfordsville, Turkey Run State Park is glorious year-round, but especially in the fall. Pioneer hunters would herd the turkeys through these natural funnels into a central location for an easy harvest.
Turkey Run State Park now comprises 1,150 acres, nearly all of the area is heavily wooded, and 285 acres of the tract are of virgin timber. Taken as a whole, it represents one of the finest forest areas in Indiana or, for that matter, in the Middle West. Walk in the footsteps of the Miami Indians along hiking trails that wind through sandstone cliffs and gorges. Get a sweeping view of the aged forests that line Sugar Creek from the park’s Suspension Bridge.
