Indiana
Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

7 Pristine Hidden Beaches Throughout Indiana You’ve Got To Visit This Summer

Discover seven hidden beaches in Indiana perfect for avoiding crowds and enjoying summer activities.

Updated Jul 1, 2024

Written by 

Elizabeth Crozier

Do you love discovering new beaches? If you answered "yes," you're in luck because there are several hidden beaches in Indiana. Nothing makes summer complete without a trip to the beach. You can make your summer exciting with a visit to the following sandy spots. If you hate crowds, you'll love these excellent beaches, which happen to be some of the best beaches in Indiana.

1. Hidden Valley Lake

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Facebook/Hidden Valley Lake Property Owners Association

Hidden Valley Lake is a beautiful beach in Indiana with a 150-acre lake surrounded by scenic golf courses. It's a peaceful and welcoming community perfect for a quiet getaway. You can enjoy the calm waters and watch boats gently floating by, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and leisure activities.

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2. Morse Beach

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Facebook/Morse Beach, Hamilton County

Tucked away in Hamilton County, this park and beach is perfect for families looking to have some fun and unwind. You can soak up the sun and play in the sand with pool noodles and floaties, making it a great place for both kids and adults. Plus, they have a concessions stand right there, so you can enjoy yummy snacks without any stress. The beautiful views and friendly vibe make it a favorite spot for family trips and picnics.

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3. Lake James

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Facebook/Pokagon State Park

Lake James is a gorgeous natural lake in northeastern Indiana. It’s part of Pokagon State Park and is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities like boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. People love the sandy beaches and clear waters, making it a fantastic location for family vacations and outdoor lovers. You can also go camping, have a picnic, and see some wildlife in the park area around the lake.

4. Fox Island County Park

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Google/Eliseo oswaldo

Fox Island County Park in Allen County, Indiana has a beautiful beach on Bowman Lake. It's an excellent place for swimming, sunbathing, and having a picnic. There are tables to sit at and restrooms nearby, so it's really convenient. The beach is surrounded by beautiful nature, making it one of the best 'hidden beaches near me' to visit this summer.

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5. Fairfax Beach

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Google/Eric Roberts

Fairfax Beach is a picturesque spot on the shores of Lake Monroe in Indiana. The beach has restrooms, places to have a picnic and a spot to launch a boat nearby. Families and people who love the outdoors like to go there because of the clear water and sandy beach. It's next to Fairfax State Recreation Area, where you can also go hiking, fishing, and camping. It's a perfect place for a summer getaway!

6. Buffalo Trace Park

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Google/Rose Raby

Discover the scenic hidden beach in Palmyra, Indiana – a fun spot for anyone looking for some water activities in the summer. Found in Buffalo Trace Park, this 150-acre public area in southern Indiana has a lovely beach and clear blue waters, giving you a tropical feel right in our Hoosier State. There are plenty of enjoyable things to do at the park, such as swimming, boating, and fishing. You can also try out the trails, play tennis, volleyball, or basketball, and much more. You can make the most of your visit by staying in the cabins or campsites available on-site as well.

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7. Kemil Beach

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Wikimedia Commons/Diego Delso

Kemil Beach, found in Indiana Dunes National Park, is famous for its large sandy shore and beautiful views of Lake Michigan. This quiet beach has clear water that's great for swimming and chilling in the sun. Visitors love the natural dunes and the calm, uncrowded feel. There's also parking and restrooms nearby for convenience. Kemil Beach is the perfect place for anyone who wants to spend a day by the water in a gorgeous, natural setting.

What other hidden beaches in Indiana do you enjoy visiting? Let me know! I'd love to hear your insider tips.

Looking for more exciting activities in Indiana? Hit the road, and don't forget your road trip essentials while exploring these must-visit lakes. Looking for more unique experiences? These

=one_week&locale=en&location_bb=QicLpMKpka9CFxYxwrAyHw%3D%3D&monthly_end_date=2024-11-01&monthly_length=3&monthly_start_date=2024-08-01&place_id=ChIJHRv42bxQa4gRcuwyy84vEH4&price_filter_input_type=0&query=Indiana%2C+United+States&refinement_paths

=%2Fexperiences&search_type=autocomplete_click&source=structured_search_input_header&tab_id=experience_tab" target="_blank">one-of-a-kind activities are not to be missed!

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/indiana/magical-indiana-lakes/

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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

This Natural Water Park In Indiana Is A Summer Dream Come True

Published Jul 26, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Indiana is home to an amazing assortment of lakes, several of which are natural - and amazing. Take, for example, Lake Maxinkuckee - a gorgeous, 1,864-acre little slice of heaven with an average depth of about 25 feet (and a maximum depth of 88 feet). Settled right on the lake is the beautiful town of Culver, Indiana, and we've focused on the town a few times - so let's take a moment to appreciate the lake itself, one of Indiana's best natural water parks. Have you been to this amazing swimming lake in Indiana? You should!

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Culver, Indiana is a small town with a population of about 1,200 people that sits lakeside and offers lots of wonderful things to do and see.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

But the real draw, if you ask me, is the lake - Lake Maxinkuckee. This little slice of heaven is proof that a natural lake can be the perfect water park on a hot day.

This lake just so happens to have the distinction of being the second-largest natural lake in Indiana, making it the perfect thing to do on a hot summer day.

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Caleb Dorfman Photography/Flickr

While Culver is on the lake's northwestern edge, it's not the only draw to the water - the lake is definitely a whole thing in and of itself.

Boating and fishing are popular activities, and it seems like no matter what, there's always something fun going on 'round here.

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Greg Hildebrand/Flickr

Events, festivals, and other goings-on add life to an already-vibrant place that makes for a natural waterpark thanks to all the possible shenanigans you could get into.

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The water is clean, clear, and cool, maintaining a nice, chilly temperature for the entire summer. By the time the water starts warming up from the endless sunshine, it's already autumn... and time to head home.

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Greg Hildebrand/Flickr

Folks into fishing will love the hearty selection of bluegill and largemouth bass; folks into camping will definitely be happy to learn that there are several awesome campgrounds peppered about the lake.

Culver is beautiful... nice enough that I wouldn't blame you if you just never wanted to leave.

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Chris Huffman/Flickr

In the summer, residents are no stranger to sailboats and hot air balloons, and festivals abound. It's an idyllic slice of Americana packed into our second-largest natural lake. What's not to love?

But be careful - while you're lazing on the beach, you might just fall in love and suddenly discover that you're unable to stay away.

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Stephen A. Wolfe/Flickr

It's the perfect summer escape... and the perfect place to call home, too.

For more information about this awesome swimming lake in Indiana, be sure to check out the official Lake Maxinkuckee website. If you're planning to visit and need more things to do while you're here, check out all the cool stuff happening with our friends at Viator.

Can't get enough of our amazing lakes? Check out all the best lakes in Indiana next.

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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

Explore One Of Indiana’s Deepest, Cleanest Lakes At Crooked Lake Nature Preserve

Published Jul 22, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Spanning across both Whitley and Noble Counties is an amazing nature preserve that contains the cleanest lake in Indiana (if not one of the cleanest lakes, anyway). Known as the Crooked Lake Nature Preserve, this incredible little slice of paradise is just waiting to be explored for an afternoon; the lake is not only one of our cleanest, but also one of our deepest, and it's surrounded by absolutely incredible landscape worthy of a whole day of exploration. There are numerous nature preserves in Indiana - this one just so happens to be one of the most amazing.

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Crooked Lake Nature Preserve is an absolutely amazing little slice of paradise spanning an impressive 145 acres with a gorgeous lake, an old cemetery, and lots more along the way.

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Steve D/AllTrails

Here, you'll find lots of gorgeous, old-growth woods, awe-inspiring views, and more - you just need to know where to look.

...and we're in luck, because there's plenty to look at on this little adventure.

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Daniel Garrett/AllTrails

You'll encounter beautiful forested slopes covered in both sugar and beech maple trees, as well as other species like shagbark hickory and green ash.

As you follow the trail, you'll spot Crooked Lake - one of Indiana's most beautiful natural lakes.

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Daniel Garrett/AllTrails

It's incredibly clean and clear, and it goes to an impressive depth: about 108 feet, making it one of our deepest bodies of water as well.

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The water is clear and crisp - perfect for a hot afternoon.

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Daniel Garrett/AllTrails

With more than a half-mile of gorgeous shoreline to enjoy, this amazing little piece o' heaven makes for an amazingly calm, quiet day out suitable for solo hikers and families alike.

In the spring and summer, wildflowers abound, and in the fall this amazing preserve is lit aflame by stunning color.

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Jodie Lallier/AllTrails

The preserve is open year-round, though, so you can visit any time you like. The best time of year to visit is in the summer, I think, but naturally you can show up whenever - it's a pretty low-key place no matter what, but come out during the week and you might just get it all to yourself.

Oh, and fun fact: there's a cemetery from the mid-1800s here, so if you're fascinated by headstones (I am), you'll enjoy reading the headstones.

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Kris tin/AllTrails

Overall, this gorgeous nature preserve in Indiana is just waiting for you to come out and enjoy the perfect adventure... will you answer the call?

For more information about this absolutely gorgeous preserve (home to the cleanest lake in Indiana!), be sure to check out the official Crooked Lake Nature Preserve write-up on the Indiana DNR website. For information about the hike around the preserve, check out the official AllTrails page - and if you'd like to crank your hiking game up to the next level, definitely check out AllTrails Plus. I don't know how I hiked without it.

If you're hooked on this amazing little preserve, be sure to visit others - such as Leonard Springs Nature Park.

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