Whether you're an avid hiker or your preferred way to spend time outdoors is dining on patios, sometimes being outdoors in nature is necessary. The next time you're up for a little outdoor adventure, do yourself the favor of spending a day at Indiana Dunes State Park. This scenic stretch of beach is so beautiful, you'll swear you're at the ocean.
Indiana Dunes State Park is located in Porter County, resting comfortably on the shores of Lake Michigan.
If someone were to ask you if there are any interesting geological formations in Indiana, you could easily say yes. Sure, the Hoosier State isn't exactly known for its outrageous geology, but there are enough features around here to keep a geology geek fascinated. Among that not-so-outrageous geology are features and formations that are a little different in terms of what folks typically expect from Indiana, like a handful of spectacular gorges and canyons. People almost always credit the Grand Canyon, in Arizona, with being the most beautiful canyon in the United States, and we do agree that it's up there in terms of ranking, but we must disagree with the most beautiful part.
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Yes, it's awe-inspiring. It's absolutely breathtaking. But it's huge and can be overwhelming (and HOT), and besides, we think it's more majestic than beautiful. We think the coveted "most beautiful canyon in the United States" title ought to belong to a little state park in Indiana most people don't even know is there. Lace-up your best (waterproof) hiking shoes and let's explore Trail #8 at Shades State Park, where Shawnee Canyon awaits.
To explore Shawnee Canyon at its best, there are a few different trails you can do - but they all lead to one: Trail #8.
We recommend taking the Six Ravine Challenge, or, if you're short on time and prefer more of a challenging challenge, head directly to Trail #7 and follow it to #8.
When we say these trails are rugged, we definitely mean it.
You'll want to wear good, sturdy, waterproof shoes as you'll be crossing ravines, rivers, and creeks and trekking through some muddy areas. Be ready to spend some time wading in the creek, as part of the trail requires you to do so.
We promise all the wading, slipping, climbing, and ambling is worth it: Shawnee Canyon is breathtaking, and it feels like it's not even here in Indiana.
It feels much more like a sub-tropical jungle adventure, with ladders and all sorts of fun stuff to do and see. You'll want to explore every crevice; Shawnee Canyon is gorgeous (or should we say... gorge-ous? Okay. We'll leave) and sure to charm you into the next dimension. After all, it really does feel pretty inter-dimensional out here.
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Gone are the rolling plains and fields of the majority of Indiana, replaced with lush, thick forest and murmuring brooks.
The geology of Shawnee Canyon is as interesting as the canyon, and it is beautiful. You'll find two layers of bedrock here exposed for the eye to see; the older of the two is the 225-million-year-old bedrock consisting of Pennsylvanian sandstone, and the other is a 220-million-year-old Mississippian sandstone formation.
The Mississippian-era bedrock tends to be quite fossil-rich, and though collecting specimens to take home (or disturbing the land to look for them) is illegal and unethical, there are no rules against seeing one, picking it up, and checking it out before placing it back where you spotted it initially.
Do know that, due to its rugged nature and the occasional heavy rain, sometimes Trail #8 (and Trail #7, for that matter) will be impassable. Please make sure to double-check the conditions before you go.
Shawnee Canyon may not be as overwhelmingly enormous or majestic as, say, the Grand Canyon...
…but it's beautiful, green, and feels like something out of another world (Avatar, anyone?), which is more than enough for us. Even the weather around here is a little different than the weather around other parts of Indiana. It's cooler down here, though you'll still want to bring plenty of drinking water.
So there you have it: a stunningly beautiful canyon in Indiana that rivals the Grand Canyon (at least for us). Who needs heat and little shade when you can have nice, cool air and all the shade (plus, the trail is located within Shades State Park, so it's even in the name) you could ever ask for?
What's your favorite hiking trail in Indiana? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. Also, make sure to sign up for an Alltrails Plus membership before you hike! That way, you can get even more information before you start your journey.
Indiana’s state parks and recreation areas are quite beloved by locals and visitors alike, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. Sure, it might not SOUND like much compared to parks like Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, which sees a couple of million visitors annually, but for our little corner of the world - it’s perfect. Not too crowded, never terribly busy. So, which one of the state parks in Indiana is likely to be the least crowded? Head out to the unfortunately underrated, least visited state park in Indiana for a nice, quiet afternoon outdoors – it’s the Trine State Recreation Area, and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to celebrate the beauty of the Hoosier State without the potential for crowds. As one of the best hidden gems in Indiana, you’ll want to add this park in Fremont to your list.
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The Trine State Recreation Area is located adjacent to the much more popular and sought-after Pokagon State Park, where most folks usually go, blissfully unaware that they're missing out on a wonderful little state park right next door.
Gentian Lake is a kettle lake, which is essentially a "hole" in the plains formed by retreating glaciers long ago, and other than the perch and bass known to live within its clear, blue water, there are also rarer species called cisco, an uncommon freshwater whitefish that normally makes its homes in northern countries, as well.
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Other fascinating natural features at the park include wetlands, meadows, and beautiful, rolling, wooded hills, which are a brilliant green following particularly good rains.
From late March through May and sometimes into June, the meadows light up with brilliantly-colored wildflowers, and we bet you'll regret it if you don't bring a camera along for that. It's a stunning natural spectacle that really makes you love Indiana that much more.
The trees provide ample shade, and you won't be able to wander any one trail here without being serenaded by the sounds of wild birds that inhabit the area.
Fall in love with it and want to stay? Consider renting one of the 12 cabins on the grounds to stay overnight and sleep under the stars at this stunningly beautiful, least visited state park in Indiana.
For information about how to book a cabin at one of the best hidden gems in Indiana, be sure to check out the Trine State Recreation Area website. What are your favorite lesser-known parks in Indiana? Tell us about them in the comments!
