2 Waterfront Indiana Rentals So Stunning They Don’t Feel Real

When I'm looking for somewhere to stay on vacation, I'm looking for a few things: privacy, style, and some sort of body of water to float in, cool off in, and simply exist in. Luckily, Indiana is filled with bodies of water that fit the bill. From the sandy swimming beaches of Lake Michigan to the sprawling waters of Lake Monroe, the Hoosier State does not let down water lovers. Better yet, some of the best waterfront rentals in Indiana put that water right outside your window. These are two I'd book without thinking twice.

1. Eagle Lake Retreat — Lake Village, Indiana

This place has a private 25-acre lake, more than 2,200 feet of frontage on the Grand Kankakee River, and nearly 100 acres of woods. At some point, "vacation rental" stops being the right phrase. This is closer to having temporary custody of your own chunk of Indiana.

The A-frame house looks like the sort of place a 1970s architect would design after buying a canoe and developing strong opinions about timber. Inside, exposed wood beams, a cast-iron spiral staircase salvaged from a Hammond firehouse, and enormous lake-facing windows give the home plenty of personality.

The real attraction waits outside. Guests can take kayaks, canoes, and john boats onto the private lake or spend the afternoon fishing along the river. Four bald eagles live on the property, which feels almost unfair to every other Airbnb in the state.

Lake Village also puts visitors close to Kankakee Sands Nature Preserve, where bison graze across restored prairie, and Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area, a favorite spot for birding and fishing. Fair Oaks Farms is nearby too, because Indiana has mastered the art of pairing outdoor adventure with ice cream. For travelers searching for lakefront rentals in Indiana, this one delivers the sort of privacy people usually assume only exists in Montana.

2. Anjuna House — New Pekin, Indiana

Some cabins hide in the woods. Anjuna House practically disappears into them. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across the living room, framing twelve acres of forest and a small river that winds through the property. The view changes by the hour. Morning fog hangs over the water. Sunlight filters through the trees in the afternoon. Deer wander through often enough that eventually you stop announcing it.

A raised boardwalk leads from the parking area to the house, adding a little drama before you even reach the front door. Inside, the design leans Scandinavian without feeling like a furniture showroom. There's a fireplace, a huge deck, and enough room for families or groups of friends who genuinely like each other.

The location works in its favor. The Knobstone Trail, Indiana's toughest long-distance hiking trail, is nearby. Marengo Cave offers underground tours through enormous limestone passages. Louisville, Kentucky, is less than an hour away if your idea of outdoor recreation includes bourbon.

Among the most memorable vacation rentals on the water in Indiana, this riverfront cabin feels especially suited for travelers who want silence. Real silence. The kind where you hear the creek, the wind in the trees, and suddenly realize nobody has asked you to look at a spreadsheet in three days.

Indiana has no shortage of waterfront towns, lakes, rivers, and hidden corners worth exploring. Spend an afternoon swimming at Lake Monroe, watch the light bounce across the water, and then head back to one of these unique stays in Indiana. My vacation requirements remain unchanged: give me privacy, give me character, and give me a body of water where I can happily do absolutely nothing.