Indiana’s 7 Most Underrated Tourist Spots, According to Locals

Ah, Reddit. Reddit is a fickle beast, but my goodness, when it's good, it's great. As a Redditor since 2013, I know it's an amazing place to turn for finding the best gems I might not have thought of every so often and, well, anything else I might be curious about - it's a smorgasbord of information from helpful commenters, and Indiana's subReddit is full of friendly folks eager to help.

I did some digging through various "What are some of the best underrated gems in Indiana?" types of threads and found some semi-secret delights much-beloved by commenters that might get overlooked otherwise. Reddit has its collective fingers on the pulse of all things local, no matter where you might be, and I've included some of my favorite places recommended over there in this list. Some of these were even new ideas for me!

1. Mississinewa Lake

Mississinewa Lake is a magnificently lovely lake in Indiana with delightful fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities everywhere you turn. At its deepest, it reaches down to 137 feet and is a much-beloved swimming hole during the warmer months. The water is clean and clear, and many folks overlook it; I think this is unfair. This is one of the best hidden gems in Indiana, and way too many locals don't even realize it's a thing.

2. The Devil's Punchbowl

Several states have a spot they call "the Devil's Punchbowl," and Indiana is one of them. Hidden away within Shades State Park (which also gets mentioned many times in these conversations) is our version of the Devil's Punchbowl, an unusual geological formation you'll surely be intrigued by. Show up during the warm season, and you'll find the entire region covered top-to-bottom in stunning greenery, as well as plenty of waterfalls around every bend.

3. The Great Crane Migration at Pulaski County Park

Each year, something splendiferous happens in Indiana and surrounding states: an incredible migration of Sandhill Cranes bound to entrance bird lovers and enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. Each and every autumn, these beautiful birds pass through the Hoosier State and Pulaski County Park is well-known and beloved among born-and-bred Hoosiers for its jaw-dropping front-row seats to the phenomena. We are so, so lucky to be able to witness this.

4. Marengo Cave National Landmark

The magnificent Marengo Cave U.S. National Landmark is located right here in Indiana, and it comes highly recommended by numerous users. I concur with them - this cave is utterly incredible. It's one of four "show caves" in the state, and of those four, it tends to be the one that gets overlooked. Do a tour of Marengo Cave and learn all about it - it's truly incredible that this kind of thing is all-natural. It's also worth noting that a couple of folks pointed out Wyandotte Caves as an alternative to Marengo, and I think it's definitely worth mentioning - just check ahead of time to make sure it's open to the public (it closes periodically to protect native nesting bats, so we can't complain).

5. The Waterfalls at Portland Arch Nature Preserve

The Portland Arch Nature Preserve is fairly legendary amongst nature-loving Hoosiers thanks to its unique geological features (such as the natural arch the preserve is named after). What often goes overlooked, Redditors point out, are the waterfalls you'll find peppered all over the park. Again, I absolutely agree with this one, too - Portland Arch Nature Preserve is incredible for waterfall chasing, and in this case, you'll only miss out if you stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to. Honestly, some of these little cascades are among my favorite waterfalls in Indiana.

6. The Lakes of Kosciusko County

Fun fact: Kosciusko County in Indiana has over 100 amazing natural glacial lakes. Some of them are of considerable size, like Lake Wawasee, which is the largest natural lake in Indiana, and others are simple ponds. They all have a few things in common: they're crystal-clear, clean, and beautiful, and Hoosiers of Reddit mention Kosciusko County more than once for those who love spending time on or near the water.

7. Indiana Dunes State Park

Not to be confused with Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana Dunes State Park is a must for those who want to explore the wonder of the dunes on Lake Michigan without the national park crowds. With more than 50 miles of jaw-dropping trails, views of Lake Michigan that seem to go on forever, and so much more, you can't possibly go wrong with this recommendation.

There you have them: a handful of Redditor's favorite hidden (or maybe not-so-hidden) gems that are sure to delight. And to my friends at Reddit: Thank you! You have been endlessly helpful in my research (and full of great ideas). I credit you with these ideas, which I can confirm are all great.

If you plan to visit any of these amazing places yourself, please remember to be respectful - pack out (or throw away) what you pack in. Respect the landscape - litter and vandalization are bad moves, and we only make good moves here. Take care of our parks and land! If you need a place (or three) to stay, see what's new in our Travel Planner!