Often, when we think of state parks, we envision places in California, Arizona, or Tennessee. However, my family took a trip last year to some of the Indiana state parks and I was so surprised by the beauty and warmth of the people there. Most of the parks in this state date back to the early 20th century, first developed by a man named Colonel Richard Lieber who was both a German immigrant and Indiana businessman.
The one thing you will notice immediately is the quality in which the Indiana state parks are maintained. Because of the design system for these parks, they are highly efficient, making operations and management easy. If you love hiking, I strongly recommend you make your way to the McCormick’s Creek State Park. There, everything around you is gorgeous, perfect for a family day of hiking. In fact, this park has become so popular, it is estimated that close to one million people visit annually.
Another beautiful area in the state of Indiana is the national shore of the dunes. You and the family can spend a wonderful day at the beach or if you plan your trip for next fall, enjoy the Duneland Harvest Festival. During this event, you will learn about homemade crafts, historic encampments, music, and much more. In fact, you can visit with a fur trader, take a hayride, or even try making a special craft.
We also visited a place called the George Rogers Clark Memorial. I was a little worried that my teenagers would be bored but in fact, they had a blast. This memorial features beautiful statues and murals depicting courage and valor of Clark’s leadership. Clark and a force of 170 American and French soldiers trekked from Kaskaskia for 18 days through icy cold waters to capture British forces. If you have people in the family that love history, this is a wonderful place to visit.