The 10 Best Hikes in Indiana: From Sand Dunes to Forested Ridges

The 10 Best Hikes in Indiana

Indiana may be better known for basketball and cornfields than backcountry trails, but if you look beyond the stereotypes, you’ll find a state full of outdoor surprises. Towering dunes, deep ravines, wildflower meadows, and hardwood forests await those willing to lace up their boots. Whether you’re looking for a quick day hike or a rugged overnight, Indiana offers a slice of wilderness for every type of hiker. Here’s a guide to the 10 best hikes in Indiana.

Trail 9 – Indiana Dunes State Park

Location: Chesterton, IN

Distance: 3.75 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Trail 9 is widely regarded as the crown jewel of Indiana Dunes hiking. This loop takes you through forested dunes, up sandy ridgelines, and ultimately to stunning views of Lake Michigan. The terrain shifts constantly—from shady oak savannas to open dune grasslands—offering a dynamic hiking experience.

The payoff comes when you reach the lake overlook, where you’ll feel like you’re at the edge of an ocean. On clear days, you can see the Chicago skyline across the water.

Tip: Pair Trail 9 with Trail 10 to extend your hike along the beach.

Clifty Falls Loop

Location: Clifty Falls State Park, Madison, IN

Distance: ~5.5 miles (loop using Trails 2, 5, and 7)

Difficulty: Moderate

Clifty Falls State Park is home to some of the most scenic and geologically interesting hikes in southern Indiana. This loop takes you past several waterfalls—including the 60-foot Clifty Falls—and through deep ravines carved from limestone.

Trail 2 runs through a rugged canyon, and Trail 5 brings you along the cliff’s edge with excellent views. In spring, wildflowers cover the forest floor; in fall, the foliage is spectacular.

Charles C. Deam Wilderness Loop (Peninsula Trail + Grubb Ridge Loop)

Location: Hoosier National Forest, near Bloomington, IN

Distance: ~10 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

For a true backcountry experience in Indiana, head to the Deam Wilderness. This protected section of Hoosier National Forest offers rugged hiking, dispersed camping, and solitude. The Peninsula Trail takes you to a quiet point jutting into Monroe Lake, perfect for an overnight stay. The Grubb Ridge Loop adds ridgeline hiking through hardwood forest and old homesteads.

This area is a favorite among backpackers and birders. You won’t find any modern facilities—just nature and miles of unpaved trail.

Turkey Run State Park – Trails 3, 5, and 9 Loop

Location: Marshall, IN

Distance: ~5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Turkey Run is famous for its sandstone ravines, suspension bridge, and lush forest. Trail 3 is the park’s most exciting—expect ladders, narrow gorges, and a creek that often needs to be crossed. Trail 5 follows Sugar Creek with scenic views, and Trail 9 offers a high ridge walk through pine groves.

These trails together make for one of Indiana’s most adventurous hikes and one that showcases the park’s full range of ecosystems.

Hemlock Cliffs Trail

Location: Hoosier National Forest, near English, IN

Distance: 1.2 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

This short but dramatic trail loops through a box canyon filled with cliffs, seasonal waterfalls, rock shelters, and moss-covered boulders. Hemlock Cliffs feels more like Appalachia than Indiana, thanks to its microclimate and geological features.

It’s an ideal hike for families or for those looking for a quick dose of wild beauty. In the winter, the waterfalls freeze into stunning ice sculptures.

Adventure Hiking Trail – O’Bannon Woods State Park

Location: Corydon, IN

Distance: 25 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Strenuous

The Adventure Hiking Trail is Indiana’s most challenging loop. It traverses deep hardwood forests, steep ridges, sinkholes, and scenic overlooks along the Ohio River. There are four designated shelters along the trail for backpackers, and the terrain is varied and demanding.

Expect solitude and rugged beauty—especially in spring and fall. You’ll earn every mile, but the backcountry rewards are worth it.

Cowles Bog Trail

Location: Indiana Dunes National Park

Distance: 4.7 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Moderate

Cowles Bog is a biological marvel—a mix of wetlands, oak savannas, and sand dunes that support rare plant and bird species. The trail winds through a landscape once studied by ecologist Henry Cowles, whose work helped launch the field of ecology.

Eventually, the trail climbs to a high dune overlooking Lake Michigan and descends to a secluded beach. The diversity of ecosystems in such a short span makes this one of the most educational and scenic hikes in the Midwest.

Knobstone Trail (Spurgeon Hollow to Oxley)

Location: Southern Indiana

Distance: ~15 miles (one-way section; total trail is ~60 miles)

Difficulty: Strenuous

Often dubbed “Indiana’s Appalachian Trail,” the Knobstone Trail is the longest footpath in the state, stretching across the rugged knobs of southern Indiana. The Spurgeon Hollow to Oxley section is popular for a tough day hike or an overnight trip.

You’ll face steep ascents and descents, thick woods, and remote terrain. It’s the best long-distance training ground in the state and a proving ground for those preparing for national backpacking adventures.

Trail 2 – Shades State Park

Location: Waveland, IN

Distance: 1.5 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Moderate

Often overshadowed by Turkey Run, Shades State Park is just as beautiful—and less crowded. Trail 2 is the most dramatic, plunging into a shady sandstone ravine with ladders, stairs, and small waterfalls. You’ll walk through narrow creek beds and canyons that feel primordial.

Combine it with Trail 1 or 4 for more mileage and solitude. This is a great choice for those who want rugged scenery without the crowds.

Pokagon State Park Trail System

Location: Angola, IN

Distance: 6+ miles (network of interconnected trails)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Located in the far northeast corner of Indiana, Pokagon offers a rolling landscape of glacial hills and hardwood forest. The interconnected trail system allows you to create your own route, exploring lakeshores, wetlands, and wooded ridges.

In winter, the park becomes a hub for cross-country skiing and tobogganing, but the trails remain open for hikers year-round.

Honorable Mentions

• Mounds State Park Trails – Short but historic trails with ancient earthworks and river views.

• Prophetstown State Park – Prairie hiking with interpretive exhibits near Lafayette.

• Salamonie River State Forest – Remote, quiet trails along a scenic river valley.

Final Thoughts

Indiana might not boast the towering peaks of the Rockies or the vast deserts of the Southwest, but it offers something just as special—an unexpected variety of landscapes packed into a modest geography. From glacial lakes and hardwood forests to rugged backcountry ridges and Great Lakes sand dunes, Indiana’s trails are waiting to be discovered.

So whether you’re a Hoosier native or just passing through, pack your boots, grab a trail map, and go explore what the Crossroads of America has to offer. You might be surprised just how wild Indiana can get.