If you live in or around the city of Muncie, the Indiana State Parks system provides you with plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.
Not only are there 24 state parks you can visit, there are also no less than seven smaller satellite locations, as well as two state forest recreation areas, and eight reservoir properties you can check out too.
Collectively housing more than 700 miles of trails, as well as 15 stunning beaches, 17 marinas, 75 launching ramps and around 160 playgrounds, boredom is not an option here. There are plenty of chances to hike, bike, fish, swim or engage in a range of water sports activities like canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding.
There are also plenty of places to stay overnight too, with accommodation options incorporating some 635 hotel rooms, 7700 campsites, 200 shelters and around 150 cabins.
So there are really no excuses for not making the most of these outstanding outdoor recreational activities.
Map of State Parks Near Muncie IN
Here is a map of the Indiana state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Muncie
Outlined below is a selection of five fabulous state parks near Muncie you should really try and visit.
All of these state parks can be reached in a day and also have camping facilities should you wish to stay overnight or a little bit longer.
1. Summit Lake State Park
Distance from Muncie: about 13 miles south of Muncie (straight-line).
Location: 5993 N Messick Rd, New Castle, IN 4736
Another fantastic destination that is only a 25 minute drive from the city of Muncie is Summit Lake State Park.
Covering a distance of over 2680 acres, the main feature of the park is the magnificent lake, which offers fantastic fishing, boating, beaching and picnicking options.
The area is also a renowned region for bird watching and wildlife observation, with rarer species like the bald eagle, black tern, American bittern, sandhill crane, king rail, least bittern and osprey often making an appearance.
The campground here accommodates 120 electric campsites. It also has numerous hiking trails, as well as three boat ramps, two large open shelters and a beach bathhouse that can be reserved for events like birthday parties, weddings or other types of celebrations.
Summit Lake State Park is a park located near New Castle, Indiana in east-central Indiana.
Highlights associated with Summit Lake State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and mountain scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground and a designated swimming area.
See our full Summit Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Mounds State Park
Distance from Muncie: about 14 miles southwest of Muncie (straight-line).
Location: 4306 Mounds Rd, Anderson, IN 46017
Situated just 15 miles from Muncie, the Mounds State Park is a great place to visit at any time of the year.
An area of huge cultural significance for Native Americans, you will find the park just off the I-69 towards the east of Anderson.
The park features ten ceremonial mounds which are believed to have been built by the prehistoric Adena people. The largest of which dates back to 160 BC and is thought to have been a gathering place for religious ceremonies.
As well as this fascinating and educational landmark, the park also offers a number of interesting hiking trails. It also has a number of spectacular white river spots, a lovely swimming pool and plenty of plant and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Should you wish to stay a night, or more, there are 75 electric sites available for camping, as well as youth tent areas. There is even a dumping station here too, along with a convenient camp store.
Mounds State Park covers 251.8 acres in Madison County, Indiana. Established 1930.
Highlights associated with Mounds State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Mounds State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Ouabache State Park
Distance from Muncie: about 39 miles north of Muncie (straight-line).
Location: Bluffton, Indiana
Ouabache [wɑːbɑː’ʃi] (a French transcription of the Miami Indian word for the river, waapaahšiiki, meaning “it shines white”, or “shining water over white stones”) is a state park in Indiana.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, hiking trails, a designated swimming area, and RV sites with hookups.
See our full Ouabache State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Fort Harrison State Park
Distance from Muncie: about 41 miles southwest of Muncie (straight-line).
Location: 7500 Fall Creek Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256
Fort Harrison, sometimes called Fort Ben, is an Indiana state park located in Lawrence, Indiana, United States, and occupies part of the former site of Fort Benjamin Harrison.
Highlights associated with Fort Harrison State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and coastal dunes.
See our full Fort Harrison State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Salamonie Lake State Park
Distance from Muncie: about 42 miles north of Muncie (straight-line).
Location: Salamonie Snowmobile Trails, Indiana
Salamonie Lake State Park is a recreation area in Huntington County, Indiana.
Highlights associated with Salamonie Lake State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, a designated swimming area, and a marina.
See our full Salamonie Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
