1. Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Distance from Bloomington: about 12 miles northeast of Bloomington (straight-line).
Location: Low Gap Trail, Indiana
Morgan–Monroe State Forest is a state forest in Morgan County and Monroe County of Indiana, and is the second largest state forest in Indiana.
Highlights associated with Morgan-Monroe State Forest include waterfall scenery, beach access, and coastal dunes.
See our full Morgan-Monroe State Forest guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Brown County State Park
Distance from Bloomington: about 16 miles east of Bloomington (straight-line).
Location: Nashville, IN 47448
Brown County State Park is located in the United States in the center of the southern half of the state of Indiana.
Highlights associated with Brown County State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and coastal dunes.
See our full Brown County State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Lieber State Recreation Area
Distance from Bloomington: about 25 miles northwest of Bloomington (straight-line).
Location: 1317 West Lieber Road, Cloverdale, IN 46120
Highlights associated with Lieber State Recreation Area include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, hiking trails, a boat launch, and a marina.
See our full Lieber State Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area
Distance from Bloomington: about 25 miles northwest of Bloomington (straight-line).
Location: Buckskin Road, Indiana
Cataract Falls State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Owen County, Indiana.
Highlights associated with Cataract Falls State Recreation Area include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include rental cabins and hiking trails.
See our full Cataract Falls State Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Shakamak State Park
Distance from Bloomington: about 29 miles west of Bloomington (straight-line).
Location: 6265 IN-48, Jasonville, IN 47438
Just over an hour’s drive east of Bloomington resides Shakamak State Park.
Boasting three scenic man-made lakes which collectively hold 400 acres of water, this is a top spot for fishing, row boating, kayaking and SUP.
For those who love swimming, there is a new family-friendly aquatic center onsite that provides a safe environment to do so, while there are also plenty of opportunities for hiking through the surrounds.
Visitors can also enjoy the use of tennis courts, a basketball net, playground and boat dock, as well as various nature programmes.
Overall, about two-thirds of the campsites are situated within a wooded area, which provides welcome shade in the summer and stunning colors in fall. Some 222 accommodation options available, which comprise 131 sites with electric hook-ups, as well as 22 cabins, 12 cottages, 8 full hookup and 42 non-electric sites.
There is also a group camp, 4 shelters and 2 Rec buildings. While, you will find toilets, a dump station, drinking water and a concession stall that sells basic items you might also need.
Shakamak State Park is a state park in Indiana, United States.
Highlights associated with Shakamak State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, hiking trails, and a swimming pool.
See our full Shakamak State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Spring Mill State Park
Distance from Bloomington: about 31 miles south of Bloomington (straight-line).
Location: Mitchell, Indiana
Spring Mill State Park is a 1,358-acre (5 km2) state park in the state of Indiana.
Highlights associated with Spring Mill State Park include river access and wooded landscapes.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, RV sites with hookups, and a lodge.
See our full Spring Mill State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
Distance from Bloomington: about 35 miles southeast of Bloomington (straight-line).
Location: Cabin Site Trail, Indiana 47281
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Vallonia, Indiana.
Highlights associated with Starve Hollow State Recreation Area include waterfall scenery, beach access, and coastal dunes.
See our full Starve Hollow State Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Shades State Park
Distance from Bloomington: about 61 miles northwest of Bloomington (straight-line).
Location: 7751 S 890 W, Waveland, IN 47989
Located a 90 minute drive north of Bloomington is Shades State Park.
Incorporating some 3,082 acres, it is a place of much solitude and serenity. Known for its excellent hiking opportunities, several trails will take you to stunning sandstone cliffs that lord over Sugar Creek. As well as a number of shaded ravines that lie within the heart of the park.
Sugar Creek itself is not safe for swimming. However, it is a noted spot for canoeing, and a nice spot in which to picnic.
One of the other main attractions of the park is the Silver Cascade waterfall which, although fairly small, is unique in that it is a convex waterfall. Be sure to head to Lover’s Leap, near Sugar Creek, in order to get a fantastic view of it from an observation deck that was built over the cliff.
Overall the park offers 101 non-electric sites for camping, as well as 5 youth tents and 3 shelters. All of which provide a fantastic base for stargazing at night.
Shades State Park also has a playground for kids. While you can access drinking water, a dump station and a retail concession stand here too.
Shades State Park is a state park in Montgomery, Parke, and Fountain Counties in Indiana.
Highlights associated with Shades State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground and hiking trails.
See our full Shades State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
