Everyone In Indiana Should Take This Underappreciated Scenic Drive

There are plenty of places in Indiana where an afternoon’s drive will showcase the state’s underappreciated mix of nature, culture, and history. You just have to know where to look. Extending from Wayne County to Dearborn County, the Whitewater Valley is one of the most geographically diverse areas in Indiana. Here, rolling wooded hills and lush valleys intersect with fields flattened centuries ago by a glacier. The scenic drive below is meant to capture the highlights of the Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway.

This drive is so rich you could spend days unpacking each site on this tour of the Hoosier state, even if, on paper, it’s only an hour and a half long. So, let’s get going.

Google Maps

This short loop through the southeast corner of the Hoosier State combines scenic beauty, both natural and human-made with sights that are uniquely Indiana, such as the abandoned township of Fairfield and the gristmill in Metamora.

April S / Google Images

Start the day at Whitewater Memorial State Park. If you have kids, this is a great place for them to run off some energy while you sip your coffee thermos. That way, you're both ready for the road ahead.

Whitewater Memorial State Park is located at 1418 S State Rd 101, Liberty, IN 47353.

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Indiana Humanities / Flickr

The next stop on the list is perhaps the strangest. Once one of the most populous towns in the Whitewater Valley, Fairfield became a ghost town in the 1970s. Fairfield County now is exclusively a drive-through attraction, which makes it a must for any road tour of the state. It is, however, now home to the gorgeous Mounds State Recreational Area, pictured above.

Find abandoned Fairfield County near the Wildcat Winery, 3233 E 200 N, Lafayette, IN 47905.

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Chritine Wittenmeier / Flickr

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Kyle Hartshore / Flickr

Now we'll head for the Brookville Reservoir. The gorgeous tree-lined lake formed by the reservoir also serves as a marina, so this is a great place for admiring boats as well. One nice thing about this drive is that everything is so close together, you can begin the day at sunrise or return to watch the sunset at your favorite spot. Sunset here looks awfully nice.

Brookville Reservoir is located at 14108 State Rte 101, Brookville, IN 47012

Hysterical Mark / Flickr

Next, head into historic Brookville for a bite to eat. The city is located at the meeting point of the western and eastern forks of the river; that's something you have to see for yourself. They converge near Morgan's Outdoor Adventures: 7040 Whitewater River Ln, Brookville, IN 47012.

Jerry / Flickr

From there, head to Metamora, perhaps the most popular tourist destination on our list. Here, check out the antique Grist Mill. Take a tour of the mill's interior, and see the complex machinery that keeps a mill running.

Metamora Grist Mill is located at 19073 75 Main St, Metamora, IN 47030

Bart Everson / Flickr

Afterward, take a boat tour through this famous canal town to see its pastoral beauty up close.

Whitewater Canal State Historic Site is located at 19073 Main Street, Metamora, IN. 47030

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Whitewater Valley Railroad / Official Website

You'll conclude your tour at the Whitewater Valley Railroad, which has been operating for nearly 200 years. Now primarily a historical site, the Whitewater Valley Railroad is still operational and offers a variety of scenic tours to visitors. This makes it a great final destination for those looking to continue their adventures on train, and puts those who are ready to head home a short drive from where they began.

Whitewater Valley Railroad is located at 455 Market St, Connersville, IN 47331.

There’s so much to see in even a small stretch of Indiana that it’s impossible to fit it all into a single tour. What did we overlook in the underappreciated offerings of the Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway? What other routes to you know and love, and think people should drive more often? We love hearing your stories and seeing your photos. Get in touch!