2025's 11 Most Scenic Indiana Towns
When considering scenic places in the United States, Indiana often isn't top of mind. This is mainly because the Midwest has a reputation for being flat. However, this Midwestern state has its fair share of beautiful natural landscapes often centered around well-maintained parks. These include majestic dunes on the shores of the Great Lakes, hidden underwater caves, roaring limestone waterfalls, an abandoned amusement park reclaimed by nature, and many other wonders of nature. Here are 2025's 11 most scenic Indiana towns to consider visiting today.
New Albany
Located in the backdrop of the beautiful hills of Floyd Knobs, New Albany sits by the Ohio River directly across from Louisville, Kentucky. One of the best places to see the river is along the Greenway, a paved trail from New Albany to Jeffersonville on the waterfront. Several wooded trails, including the Loop Island Trail, also branch off from the Greenway. If you're willing to explore, there are several hidden wooded gems to discover. One such place is the Silver Hills Historical Nature Trails, which used to serve as a trolley line before it was converted into a nature preserve, with several historical markers describing the old line to visitors. Another is the Campbell-Woodland Nature Trail, a gentle hike located just a few miles outside of downtown that's ideal for a picnic.
Angola
This Northeastern Indiana town is surrounded by nature both within and just outside of town. Angola is particularly noteworthy for its lakes, such as Loon Lake Nature Preserve. This 138-acre lake has bluegill, largemouth bass, and sunfish for fishing. The best-known lake in Angola is Lake James, a favorite among boaters and fishers alike, and it also has two serene sandy beaches for swimming. The lake is in the larger Pokagon State Park, a nearly 1,300-acre outdoor getaway. Visitors to Angola can access it by car or by going on a biking trail through downtown. One of the best outdoor adventures here is a refrigerated toboggan run ride, which sends you down a quarter-mile track during winter.
Porter
Nestled in Northern Indiana, Porter is home to the Indiana Dunes National Park. These picturesque dunes have a rich landscape just waiting to be explored. Visitors can explore these dunes on trails ranging from short hikes up the Calumet Dunes Trail to a more strenuous journey along the Little Calumet River with the Heron Rookery Trail. Some of these trails will lead you past historic structures such as the Bailly Homestead, built in 1824 for a family of French Canadian fur traders. But of course, one of the best activities in the dunes is to travel right up to the shores of Lake Michigan and relax in one of its many beaches, from Porter Beach to Dunbar Beach and others. You'll surely have a great time diving into the waters or enjoying the sights.
New Harmony
This small town was a paradise on earth for the two utopian communities that settled here in the 1800s. It's easy to see why they picked New Harmony with its peaceful landscapes by the Wabash River. There are many landscapes to explore along the river, especially at the Harmonie State Park. The hilly landscape here is perfect for strenuous hikes up and down ravines and across streams. It also offers multiple places from which to launch a boat. If you'd prefer to stay in town, there are riverfront trails just outside downtown and a canoe launch by the Atheneum Visitors Center. Another intriguing natural spot is the Old Dam, which is made of rock formations that come up from the water during low-tide season in the summer. There are also human-made outdoor spots, such as the beautiful Harmonist Labyrinth, which is made by a well-manicured privet hedge.
Mitchell
Mitchell is a tiny community with one of the best-kept secrets in Indiana. An industrial community emerged here in the mid-1800s thanks to cave-fed spring water. Today, that village is preserved at Spring Mill State Park. Located within a forest, it's a beautiful place to go for a hike and learn about pioneer life, run by reenactors at a Pioneer Village with a recreated 19th-century mill. The best way to explore this park is to go underground in the caves in the area that fed the mills with spring water. These include the Donaldson and Bronson Caves. You can take boat tours of either of them, or if you prefer to hike instead, there's a dry portion of Donaldson Cave connected to the park's trail system.
Madison
Madison emerged as a major riverboat town in the 1800s due to its strategic location on the Ohio River. As such, it's well known for its large historic district, but it's also a favorite among anyone looking to slip away from the hurried pace of life and enjoy nature. For instance, visitors can see waterfalls cascading down shale and limestone rocks at Clifty Falls State Park. There are four major waterfalls here, along with cliffside views where birdwatchers can watch for songbirds. Speaking of birds, the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, located a few miles outside of Madison, sees a diverse group of migratory birds come through, so it's earned the title of a Globally Important Bird Area. For other nearby natural attractions, at Hanover College, visitors can see the only spot where all three bends of the Ohio River are visible, all nestled within the forested college campus.
Nashville
Nashville is one of the most scenic towns in Indiana to visit. The hilly landscape here will quickly dispel anyone's notion that the Midwest is a boring, flat place. You can traverse these hills yourself at the Brown County State Park, known locally as the Little Smokies due to its resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has multiple trails that will take you through beautiful landscapes. For example, you can see a rare yellowwood tree on Trail 5 or explore the shores of the beautiful Ogle Lake on Trail 7. Other areas will take you to lookout points like 90-foot fire towers, which have some of the best views of the hills of Brown County. Regarding the yellowwood tree, visit the nearby Yellowwood State Forest to explore three lakes and other hiking opportunities.
Charlestown
Charlestown is a small community located just a few minutes away from Louisville, Kentucky. The area was once the site of an early 1900s amusement park called Rose Island, right on the Ohio River. It was abandoned in the 1930s due to a regional flood and the Great Depression. Since then, nature has reclaimed the area, becoming part of the Charlestown State Park. Visitors can travel down a steep, paved path to the amusement park's remains and enjoy the island's history and natural beauty. Within the park, a wide variety of hilly countryside will take you by scenic overlooks of the Ohio River, Devonian fossils, and more than 72 species of birds to see for the discerning birdwatcher.
Corydon
As the original state capital of Indiana, Corydon is well loved by Indiana history buffs. It's also located in a beautiful rural part of Southern Indiana, with natural wonders ranging from caves to rivers and much more. One favorite outdoor spot in Corydon is the O'Bannon Woods State Park. This 2,000-acre park has a variety of outdoor adventures, such as the 25-mile Adventure Trail, which is perfect for seasoned backpackers. The Blue River is also accessible from the park, so that you can take your canoe out on the gentle waters. Speaking of waters, underground boat rides are available at the Indiana Caverns, part of the massive Binkley Cave System. Nature is never far away in Corydon, as nature preserves like Hayswood Nature Reserve are just a short distance from the historic downtown center.
Marshall
While not as well-known as other Indiana towns, Marshall still gets a lot of visitors every year due to its sandstone cliffs, canoe-friendly creeks, and challenging hikes. Visitors can experience all three of these outdoor adventures at the Turkey Run State Park. Hikers can go down into sandstone canyons and explore some of the oldest forested areas in Indiana within this park. Some of these hikes will take you to historic structures like the Narrows Covered Bridge or the 1848 Lieber Cabin, named after Hoosier conservationist Richard Lieber. For those who really want a challenge, the 5-Mile Challenge will pit hikers against a suspension bridge and ladders going up the sandstone cliffs. Lastly, Sugar Creek stands out as one of Indiana's most popular canoeing spots for its scenic views and is accessible from Turkey Run State Park.
Winona Lake
If you want the secret to a good time in the Midwest, go for a day out on the lake. One such lake that's ideal for a day out is Winona Lake. This quaint village is built around the lake, and there are many ways to explore it. For example, the Heritage Trail runs through the downtown area by the shore and into the forest. Don't forget to check out the charming sculptures along the way. You can also explore Winona Lake by hitting up a dirt mountain biking trail called the Winona Lake Trail system that goes through the picturesque Cherry Creek. To get up close and personal with this lovely lake, there's the Winona Lake Limitless Park, which has the best beach in the area to get out onto the water.
After checking out these towns, no one can say the Midwest is a boring region of the United States. For one, most of these scenic towns have a vibrant lake culture, either in smaller ones like Winona Lake or massive ones like Lake Michigan in Porter. These lakes are pristine and perfect for fishers, boaters, or people who enjoy sitting by the water. Hikers will have plenty of hilly countryside to trek up in Nashville or Charlestown. That's not to mention the unique outdoor attractions like Rose Island or the labyrinths of New Harmony. These 11 scenic Indiana towns prove that some of the best landscapes are where you would least expect to find them.
