Did you know that there are 24 state parks in Indiana? Yep – for a state that’s not ultra-huge, we sure do love to celebrate the great outdoors around these parts, and our state parks put some of the most awe-inspiring scenery we have on full display. There are some parks that seemingly get all the love, like Indiana Dunes National Park or Turkey Run State Park, but with so many parks to choose from, some are bound to be accidentally overlooked. Today, we’re going on a hiking adventure in one of these lesser-appreciated Indiana state parks. Trail 1 at Shakamak State Park feels like something from another world, and we think you’ll fall in love with it every time you hike it. Check out the jaw-dropping photos and then go embark upon one of the best lake hikes in Indiana yourself!

Trail 1 leads hikers on a well-worn path around Lake Shakamak, with all sorts of amazing views and spots along the way.
Brittney Klotz/AllTrails
Should you fall in love with it so thoroughly that you never want to leave (haha, same), you'll be happy to hear that you can camp at Shakamak State Park and fall asleep by (and wake up alongside) the lake.
Sure, you can't camp longer than 14 consecutive days... but nobody's stopping you from leaving and then coming back, right?
Jodie Lallier/AllTrails
Okay, so maybe we're a little obsessed, but can you blame us? Other than its scenic camping opportunities, Shakamak State Park is known for its crown jewel: beautiful, crystalline Lake Shakamak, the largest of the three lakes at the park, which reflects the color of the sky above and often appears to be a rich blue.
…but sometimes, in certain spots the lake is a little more emerald than blue, thanks to a fascinating overgrowth of aquatic plants and algae blooms. When undisturbed, however, it's just as amazing to look at - almost unreal.
Jenna Elmore/AllTrails
The lake spans an impressive 400 acres; it's perfect for a day of quietly relaxing or a more active, epic afternoon of water-based adventures like boating, fishing, and kayaking. It's teeming with life and quite popular among birdwatchers for its variety of avian species that either pass through or always call the lake home.

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Indiana is home to more than 200 lakes; heck, two different Indiana counties each have 100 or more themselves!
John Gray/AllTrails
Of those hundreds of gorgeous lakes, just 19 of them are natural lakes over 500 acres in size. Shakamak's three small man-made lake fall just short of reaching the 500-acre cutoff point; as a result, the park tends to be visited less often and as a result your hike will be much quieter than one at, say, one of the more popular state parks.
Trail 1 is rated as moderately difficult; it can be somewhat rugged in areas where it tends to get muddy (and thus a bit slippery), and some parts of the trail are narrow and tough to make out.
Debbie Weaver/AllTrails
No worries, though - you won't get lost! It's a pretty straightforward little path, and for the most part, you'll be meandering around beside the lake. The views are so spectacular that maybe getting lost is worth it!
It's a loop trail, so you'll end up where you started off; overall, it's a 3.4-mile adventure with lots of shade, though you'll still definitely want to wear sunscreen and bring lots of water.
Bill Bennett/AllTrails

For a complete description of Shakamak State Park, as well as all the amazing hiking trails within (and all the info you need to camp there), be sure to visit the official Indiana DNR page.

Can’t get enough of Indiana’s amazing beauty? Check out this list of more of our favorite lakes in Indiana!

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Featured Addresses
Lake Shakamak, Indiana 47438, USA
Shakamak State Park, 6265 IN-48, Jasonville, IN 47438, USA