Indiana has a number of geological features that make it an interesting tourism destination. The northeast section has low hills, the central portion is a flat plain and the southern portion is cut with deep rock cliffs. Indiana also has thriving cities with numerous attractions and amenities of every kind, including eating establishments like Roots Vegetarian Restaurant in Bloomington and Georgetown Market & Deli in Indianapolis. (see reference 1). The state's many state parks and reservoirs offer many opportunities for outdoor activities.
Visiting Indiana
Indiana has a temperate climate with warm summers, snowy winters and variable temperatures in the spring and fall. Tourism is the state's third-largest industry, providing more than $10 billion to the state economy. The state is home to three National Scenic Byways, Parke County with more covered bridges that anywhere in the U.S. and the third-largest Amish settlement in the U.S.
Indiana's State Parks
Potato Creek State Park in north-central Indiana is located 12 miles southwest of South Bend. It offers a number of activities including a 3.2-mile bicycle trail, hiking trails, bridle trails, a 6.6-mile mountain bike trail and small watercraft rentals. The campground has 287 sites with electricity and a dumping station.
In Indianapolis, visitors can visit Fort Harrison State Park with its history as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and World War II prisoner of war camp. In addition to its historic exhibits, the park offers hiking and biking trails, fishing, Saddle Barn with horse trail rides, and 18-hole golf course and driving range. In winter, the park also offers ice fishing, a sledding hill and cross country skiing, according to Indiana Government site.
Lodging is available at the Harrison House Suites. Brown County State park, just west of Bloomington in the rolling hills of Brown County, is Indiana's largest state park with many scenic vistas to enjoy. The park offers hiking trails, a mountain bike trail, bridle trails, tennis courts, playing fields, a swimming pool and nature center.
Indiana's Reservoirs
Indiana also has a number of reservoirs that offer wonderful outdoor opportunities, like Patoka Lake, with an archery range, fishing, disc golf course, hiking/fitness/and biking trails, swimming boating, waterskiing and cross-country skiing. Salamonie Lake features basketball courts, biking trails, canoeing and kayaking, hiking trails, mountain bike trail, volleyball courts, swimming beach and snowmobile trails, according to the Department of Natural Resources site.
State Park & Reservoir Fees
Fees for state parks and reservoirs for those with Indiana license plates is $5.00 per day. Out-of-state visitors' fee is $7.00 per day, as of August 2010. This amount applies to most of the state parks and reservoirs in the state, not including those with special fees, such as Indiana Dunes State Park and Prophetstown State Park.
Camping at Indiana State Parks & Reservoirs
Indiana state parks and reservoirs have a wealth of campgrounds available with both electrical hook-ups and primitive camping sites. Reservations can be made on line. Additional information is the Department of Natural Resource site.
Member Comments