In this episode, Sam interviews Lindsay McKenzie (Follow Your Detour) and Julie Chickery (Chickery’s Travels), half of the team for Full-time Freedom Week, a free online event that will teach you everything you need to know to become (and remain!) a successful full-time RVer! Along with Liz Wilcox (The Virtual Campground) and Camille Attell (More Than A Wheelin’), Lindsay and Julie are deep into preparing for this annual online event. Tune into the episode to hear all about the speakers, topics, and the newest addition to this event… an in-person meet-up!
Full-Time Freedom Week is a free online event, featuring 30+ RV experts, from November 5-8th. You can also upgrade to a paid ticket for extended access to the video content or attend the event in person! Click here to learn more and grab your ticket!
Taking your new (or new to you) RV out for the first time can be a little intimidating. It may seem like there is simply too much to remember, but don’t worry. The list of things that scare you will shrink with time, knowledge, and experience. But for your first time, these tips will help you make the most of your first campground stay.
Advance Planning
The best thing you can do to ensure a smooth first camping trip is plan in advance. More and more people are enjoying RV travel, making campground reservations important. The more popular the location, the farther out you need to make your reservations. If you are planning to visit a first-come, first-served campground, you’ll want to do a little research to determine the best time to show up in order to snag a site.
It’s always a good idea to touch base with the campground office the day before you head out on your trip. Verify your reservation and verify what time you can check in. Even if you plan to arrive early, something unexpected could happen. Therefore, inquire about late check in procedures. You don’t want to roll up to a locked gate after a long day’s drive.
Learn Your Rig
Image by Julie Chickery
Practice using the RV systems before you leave home. This includes the landing gear, leveling process, slide outs, as well as hitching and unhitching if applicable. Don’t forget driving and parking practice, especially backing up. We’ve arrived at a campground with a pull-thru site reservation only to find there was a mix up and needed to move to a back-in site.
Make A Checklist
As you are practicing with your rig, make a checklist for packing, arrival, and departure. You don’t need a lot of gear to enjoy a great camping trip, but you will need some essentials. Take a look at our essential packing guide for first time campers.
Create a checklist of items for setting up the RV at the campground. You’ll want to include things like:
Deploy the jacks/levelers
Chock the wheels
Plug in the power
Connect to water and sewer (if provided)
Turn on the air conditioner (if needed)
Open slides
Turn on the water heater
Turn on the LP gas
This itemized checklist will help things go smoothly at the campground and ensure you don’t forget anything. You’ll also be able to use the list in reverse upon departure.
Campground Arrival
Photo by Julie Chickery
Many campgrounds have an office that you will stop at first to register. Some public campgrounds (state, city, national forest), especially smaller ones, don’t have an office, but do have a kiosk for self-registration. If you don’t have a reservations, look for guidelines on finding an open site. In some cases, there will be a list posted on a board with the campground map, and it others there may be a marker on the actual campsite.
Pay attention to your site’s location on the campground map looking closely for the approach. The campgrounds are always marked well once you move beyond the entry and you want to be sure you’ve noted a few landmarks or site numbers to help you navigate to yours.
It is also a good idea to arrive early in the afternoon so you can set up your campground in the daylight. Not only does this make things easier on you, but it also keeps the neighbors happy. No one likes headlights shining in their RV windows or the loud sounds of someone setting up at night.
Photo by Julie Chickery
Scout out your site before actually pulling into it. Take notice of the power, water, and sewer hook ups. Be sure there is enough space to fully deploy your slides. More than once we’ve had to move the RV forward or backward to be safely clear the power pedestal with our bedroom slide. If there is a paved pad, keep an eye on your RV leveling jacks to ensure they stay on the pad.
Campground Etiquette
Photo by Julie Chickery
Once you’ve gotten settled in and are ready to enjoy your stay, consider these few unwritten rules of campground etiquette. By following these few guidelines, you can help ensure that your good time doesn’t ruin someone else’s.
First of all, remember that even if you can’t see your neighbors, they usually aren’t that far away. Be mindful of that when you are playing music or telling stories around the campfire. Most importantly, observe quiet hours. They are usually posted and typically start around 9 or 10pm.
Also, be aware that the little privacy you have is limited to your campsite. Respect the space that other campers have chosen, and don’t walk through another campsite to get to another location in the campground.
RVing is a great way for pet owners to travel with their fur babies, but there are a few courtesies you can extend to your fellow campers. Clean up after your pets, keep your dogs on a leash, and don’t leave them cooped up (and barking) all day while you’re away.
Camping as a family is a joy, but be mindful that not every camper has children. Please make sure your children are properly supervised and respectful of others.
Have Fun
This is the most important tip of all! Don’t let any small mistakes or items left behind ruin your trip. Enjoy yourself and your first camping trip. We all learn as we go and any mishaps will make entertaining stories down the road.
As the world’s first cave to be named a national park, Wind Cave is an outstanding addition to the National Park Service. It is the world’s longest and most complex cave system, with 149 miles of explored passages, containing intricate boxwork and frostwork formations.
Many miss its allure by only noticing the undulating prairie that lies above this geologic anomaly. In fact, the cave’s discovery by white Americans came from two brothers peering into a 10” x 14” hole as the wind whistled out of it. By knocking the hat off the boys’ heads, Wind Cave acquired a name and a reputation.
History of Wind Cave National Park
Photo Credit: NPS
The Lakota Sioux nation has revered Wind Cave as the underground birthplace of its people for thousands of years. It wasn’t until 1881 that white settlers in the area discovered the subterranean caverns when the Bingham brothers lost their hats by that small hole leading to the cave.
Eventually, a local family was hired by a mining company to explore the area for mineral deposits, and 16-year-old Alvin McDonald crawled through the passageways. When no valuable minerals were found, the McDonald family decided to open the cave for tours in 1892.
Photo Credit: NPS
Just eleven years later, President Theodore Roosevelt designated the area as Wind Cave National Park, making it the first cave in the world to be protected as a national park. Today with room names like Lincoln’s Fireplace and Petrified Clouds, and rare calcite formations like boxwood and cave popcorn, Wind Cave entices visitors from around the globe to view its underground treasures and its abundant wildlife, both above and below the surface.
Why Visit Wind Cave National Park in Your RV?
Photo Credit: NPS
Wind Cave is an excellent destination for RVers who enjoy hidden gems underground and the rolling hills and ranchland above. The park has one campground with plenty of space for motorhomes and travel trailers, and after hiking over scenic trails, then cooling off in the cave, RVers realize that Wind Cave National Park has even more going for it.
The park lies in the midst of many other nationally recognized attractions. In fact, its northern border abuts popular Custer State Park, and the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial are also in close proximity. Using Wind Cave as a base camp offers great accessibility and a quieter, more relaxing camping experience away from the crowds of these other venues.
Places to Go
There are plenty of places and spots to visit at the park. You’ll have plenty to see and do.
Visitor Center
Located at the entrance to the park, the visitor center offers a movie about the cave’s formation and discovery, a bookstore, exhibits and cave tours. Rangers are available to answer questions and disperse backcountry permits.
Sanson Ranch
A 5,000-acre historic ranch and homestead include a 1,000-year-old buffalo jump, where Native Americans hunted bison, forcing them off low cliffs. There are also remnants of old tipi rings showcasing hundreds of years of habitation in the area.
Things to Do
In addition to there being plenty of spots to visit and things to see, you also will have plenty of activities to do.
Hiking
There are 30 miles of hiking trails throughout the park, moving through meadows, prairies, and forest environments. It is conceivable that hikers will encounter wildlife like bison, elk and mountain lions, so be aware of surroundings and regulations. Each trail is designated by level of difficulty:
Wind Cave National Park has one organized campground and also allows backcountry camping in the northwest section of the park. A free permit is required, and off-trail hiking is allowed.
All tours are limited in the number of participants and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tours have different levels of difficulty, so be sure to read the descriptions of each, as some involve crawling through tight places, off-trail hiking, and numerous stairs.
When to Visit Wind Cave National Park
Photo Credit: NPS
The park is accessible year-round, with its visitor center closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Cave tours continue all year but have a limited schedule during winter months.
Winter storms can sometimes close roads within Wind Cave National Park, so check online for closures if planning an off-season visit. If coming to enjoy the varied wildlife here, keep in mind that most animals are more active in cool temperatures.
Where RVers Can Stay
Wind Cave offers the perfect setting for RV vacations, with one campground within park boundaries. The Elk Mountain Campground lies on the edge of the prairie, with 25 pull-through sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Flush toilets and running water are available in summer, but there are no hookups or showers.
If you would prefer to camp outside the park, here are a few of the many private campgrounds in the area:
From Hot Springs, South Dakota travel 6 miles north on US Highway 385 to the park entrance. If coming from the town of Custer, travel 20 miles south on US Highway 385.
Once in the park, visitors travel on the two paved roads, US Highway 385 or South Dakota Highway 87. The visitor center lies just inside the park entrance on Highway 385, where cave tours begin, but both roads have pullouts and scenic views throughout the park.
There are also two gravel roads that take travelers to less developed areas of the park. They are suitable for two wheel drive vehicles, but are narrow and may have wildlife around which to navigate.
Whistle a Tune
Matching barometric pressure with the outside world, Wind Cave whistles its own tune as visitors enjoy its unusual attributes. Boxwood formations rarely found anywhere else display a delicate pattern on the ceilings as cavers navigate both tight tunnels and vast rooms in the complex.
Outside, one can envision what prairie life was like 150 years ago, with bison roaming the hills of this mixed-grass savanna and historic homesteads attempt to tame the rural landscape. Wind Cave National Park seems to encapsulate a bygone era full of natural beauty and endless vistas both above ground and below.
Have you ever been to Wind Cave National Park? What were your experiences there?
Georgia is home to some of the most beautiful areas in the whole country. Many of the state’s best attractions and natural landscapes can be found within the state parks.
The wild, rocky landscape of the Peach State is home to many gorgeous attractions. Some of these attractions are shrouded in mystery, like the ancient rock wall found in Fort Mountain State Park. Some state parks boast incredible canyons with powerful waterfalls, like those of Tallulah Falls or Cloudland Canyon. Another notable state park, Stone Mountain, is a veritable time capsule to the state’s complicated history, while others offer the unique feature of yurt-style glamping, a treat for campers of all ages (and levels of experience).
If you’re looking for fun activities to do while camping in Georgia, look no further. Here’s the information you need to know about these gorgeous state parks.
1. Stone Mountain State Park
Image by DavidTLC from Getty
Located just 15 miles from Atlanta, Stone Mountain is the state’s most-visited attraction. The park highlights many unusual and exciting attractions, including The Lasershow Spectacular in MountainVision, an iconic show featuring lasers, choreographed drone flights, flame cannons, fireworks, lights, and music.The Summit Skyrideuses a high-speed Swiss cable car to provide fantastic views of the world’s largest relief carving, the Atlanta skyline, the Appalachian Mountains, and up to 60 miles of the surrounding area!
The Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall displays artifacts and stories that span 12,000 years, from ancient civilizations that lived on the mountain, to Civil War history, to present-day events.
Many options for camping are available at this park, including traditional RV, camper, and primitive sites. Stone Mountain is unique in offering furnished yurts, RV/campers, and safari tents for rent. WIFI is available throughout the park, which is great for downtime. Your family is sure to make tons of memories at Stone Mountain State Park.
2. Tallulah Gorge State Park
Photo by Matt Lightfoot
Tallulah Gorge’s key feature is a series of six waterfalls cascading down through the surprisingly-deep and treacherous rocky canyon. This is an excellent park for hiking and other outdoor athletic activities, but as camping is limited to 50 tent, RV, and trailer sites, reservations are recommended.
Breathtaking views can be found by simply walking to the edge of the 1000 foot canyon, or to the official Tallulah Point Overlook. For hikers, a reasonably-difficult (and beautiful) trek includes 750 stairs down to the 80-foot suspension bridge that spans the gorge and waterfalls and will take most about 30-45 minutes to complete. Expect to feel the burn and return feeling very-winded! Experienced hikers and athletes can complete the entire trek across the gorge and back to the park in about two hours. Experienced hikers will also enjoy exploring the gorge floor, but only 100 permits are issued each morning at the Interpretive Center, so get there early!
Children will enjoy the kitschy taxidermy displays in the park’s Interpretive Center, and adults will find plenty of information concerning the park’s history on the Center’s walls. A large, serene lake is located near the park and is great for picnics and swimming. Ten miles of mountain bike trails are available to the public. All in all, this is a fantastic park for families and athletes.
3. Fort Mountain State Park
Photo by Maxim Izbash9
Fort Mountain State Park is a fascinating historical site, deriving its name from an ancient stone rock wall erected between 500-1500 CE. The 855-foot long wall was built near the crest of the mountain, and according to Cherokee lore, was constructed by the “Moon-eyed people,” who saw better during the night than the day. The Fort Mountain website also claims that “The wall’s purpose has also been debated by archaeologists and historians, with theories ranging from a military defense fortification to a spiritual structure. The true purpose of the Fort Mountain rock wall remains an enigma to this day.”
Horseback riders, runners, and bikers will fall in love with the 60 miles of trails offered within the park. Fort Mountain’s Geocaching will engage the tech-savvy with nature. The restored fire tower, erected during the New Deal of the FDR era, is a testament to early conservation efforts (and incredible masonry work), and be accessed on weekends from 1-4 pm. Miniature golf is available at the park, along with great fishing on the 17-acre lake. Boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, aqua cycle, and pedal boat rentals are available seasonally.The Funk Heritage Center, located nearby, features art exhibits and Native American history tours.
Fort Mountain State Park offers 70 tent, trailer, and RV campsites. Four walk-in campsites are available year-round, in addition to six platforms, three pioneers, and four backcountry campsites. 15 cottages are available for rentals year-round. Make your reservations early, as sites fill up fast!
Cloudland Canyon is a nature lover’s dream. The park’s 3,538 acres offers tons of outdoor activities, including multiple caves to be explored, alongside two gorgeous waterfalls. There are 64 miles of hiking trails, 16 miles of horseback riding trails, and 30 miles of biking trails. An 18-hole disc golf course is one of many other attractions available at this family-friendly park.
The park’s two waterfalls are situated in the canyon and can be accessed by hiking down 600 steps and back: no small feat for little ones, but a worthwhile trek regardless. Caving is offered (with permits and reservations) for experienced spelunkers in the months of April, June-July, and September-October. Geocaching is sure to attract the attention of the tech-addicts in your family, who will enjoy the treasure hunt-style excursions connecting them to nature.
The Canyon Climbers Club membership ($20) offers more access to trails and provides checklists and a t-shirt for its members while fundraising for Georgia’s state parks.
Many genres of camping and rentals are available at Cloudland! Sixteen cottages, ten yurts, one group lodge (sleeps 40), and one group shelter (sleeps 175) are offered year-round here. 30 walk-in campsites are also available, alongside 72 full-access tent, camper, and RV sites. Thirteen backcountry and four pioneer campsites are available for campers who want to rough it. However you choose to camp here, you’re going to love the sites and attractions of Cloudland.
5. Fort Yargo State Park
Photo by Brad Huchteman
Fort Yargo is an awesome lake excursion-style site. It’s 260-acre lake hosts boating, fishing, and swimming activities, and it has a nicely-maintained sand beach for picnics, sunning, and more. Adventure cabins, cottages, yurts, and over 50 full-access campsites are available for rental here. Located between Athens and Atlanta, this park could even be a fun stop between adventures or could act as a home-base while you explore the greater area.
Twenty and a half miles of hiking and biking trails wind around Fort Yargo. Private boating is allowed here with permits, making fishing and swimming a little more exciting. If you’re into Glamping, Fort Yargo’s six yurts, thirteen adventure cabins, and three cottages are highly desired! Book in advance to ensure your glamping experience awaits.
Which of these parks is your favorite, and why? Add your comments below and fill us in. We’d love to gather more firsthand accounts of your experiences within Georgia’s State Parks.
Many times camping trips involve exploring new territory and discovering enticing attractions along the way. Passenger tour trains have that magnetic appeal for many RVers, providing a novel way to see hidden countryside not normally viewed from the road. Railroad passengers learn about local history, culture and the many colorful characters from the communities visited. Camping World wants to make sure you don’t miss the departing whistle, so we have created a series entitled RVing the Rails. You will find the most popular excursion trains to ride in each state, complete with any specialty trains they might offer.
Photo Credit: Skeeze on Unsplash
Today we will explore the most popular trains in Massachusetts:
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
Photo Credit: BerkshireTrains.org
Being a descendant of the Berkshire Railroad has had its ups and downs for this excursion train. In 1842, the rails were run as part of the Housatonic and Berkshire Railroads and became quite popular with passengers vacationing in the area.
Today’s train line, the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, has been cobbled together from abandoned tracks, with several entities refusing to lease the right-of-way to the railroad. Hence the reason this popular railway has moved on a couple of occasions. Now they have found a home between the communities of Adams and North Adams, providing a scenic 10 mile trip on historic rails that once connected the Berkshires with New York City.
Railway and Locomotive Types
The Berkshire Scenic Railway has placed several diesel locomotives in service on the line, with standard gauge rails carrying enclosed motor cars and passenger coaches.
Seating Options
Photo Credit: BerkshireTrains.org
All seating on the train is unassigned general admission tickets, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The railroad does suggest purchasing tickets in advance online, however, to assure a seat on the specific train you’ve chosen.
Riding Options
Train excursions are all round-trip affairs, so there are no one-way tickets or side trips available. The one-hour tour takes passengers through the beautiful rolling hills of the Berkshires.
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: BerkshireTrains.org
Cabaret Trains – Enjoy live music as you travel the countryside of Western Massachusetts. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own beverages and snacks onboard.
Tinseliner Trains – Take a trip back to the 1950s with a vintage Christmas train ride. Passengers stop at a tree lot to select the perfect Yuletide tree for pick up later, and Santa will join in the festivities.
Mistletoe & Martini Train – Live holiday music will accompany your Christmas train ride. Bring snacks and beverages along to make the season bright!
Length of Season
The Berkshire Scenic Railroad season runs from Memorial Day through October with weekend departures. Specialty trains have specific dates, so please check the train schedule for more information.
Cape Cod Central Railroad
Photo Credit: CapeTrain.com
Continuing railroad history that dates back more than 170 years, the Cape Cod Central has big shoes to fill. Initially, trains ran to the Cape to provide freight service, but passengers were quick to discover the train as a relaxing way to travel to the beaches and communities of this vacationer’s paradise.
Today’s railway takes travelers through places not normally accessible by car, like saltwater marshes and cranberry bogs. It’s no wonder that so many enjoy its excursion and dinner trains alike.
Railway and Locomotive Types
The railroad operates diesel locomotives, the very same engines that ran on these rails in the 1950s. The standard gauge track is perfectly suited to carry plush table cars, a glass dome car, lounge car, kitchen car and enclosed Pullman coaches.
Seating Options
Photo Credit: CapeTrain.com
The Cape Cod Central Railroad has assigned seating tickets with classes as follows:
On Excursion Trains:
Standard Class – Passengers travel in double decker rail cars with seats arranged in rows.
First Class – Passengers ride at seated tables of four.
Diamond Class – Passengers travel in a glass-enclosed dome car, seated at tables of four.
On Dinner Trains:
Standard Class – Ticketed passengers enjoy a five-course meal, seated at a table of four in a passenger car.
First Class – Ticketed passengers partake of a five-course meal, seated at a table of four in the glass-enclosed dome car.
Diamond Class – Passengers are seated at a private table in a vintage club car while enjoying a five-course meal. One alcoholic beverage is included with the meal.
Riding Options
The railroad offers two types of rail adventures:
Excursion Trains –These narrated trains venture to the Cape Cod Canal, along the coast or stop for a tour of a glass factory.
Dinner Trains – Try a Sunday brunch, a weekday lunch or an exclusive dinner train to top off your visit to the Cape.
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: CapeTrain.com
Rails & Ales Beer Tasting Train – Pair local brews with locally sourced appetizers for an evening adventure. Brewers are on hand to talk about their craft and answer any questions as you taste test several popular beers.
Gourmet Wine & Dinner Train – Revel in a five-course meal as you sip four sample wines from a local vineyard.
Christmas Train – Take the whole family on a holiday train to the North Pole, where Santa climbs on board to talk with children, hand out gifts and enjoy some Christmas fun.
Length of Season
The Cape Cod Central Railroad operates from May through October. Specialty trains are scheduled on specific dates, so please check the train calendar to see which excursion is right for you.
Lowell National Historical Park
Photo Credit: NPS
Historically trolley cars have been a part of Lowell since the surrounding mills began to attract workers. As the town grew outside of its boundaries, the new suburbs began to require transportation. So, in 1889 Lowell got its first electric streetcar and the lines continued to expand.
Once automobiles became popular, however, the need for trolleys dried up. When the Lowell National Historical Park was designated here, visitors required transportation around the park and into downtown Lowell, so trolley cars were put back into operation, rejuvenating the historic vehicles.
Railway and Locomotive Types
The Lowell National Historical Park runs two open air electric trolley cars and one enclosed electric trolley car on the tracks of the old Boston Main Railroad. The cars are powered by overhead lines carrying 600 volts of electricity.
Seating Options
Photo Credit: NPS
There is no charge to ride the trolley, so all seating is open with no assigned seats. Passengers can get on or off the trolley at any of the designated stops.
Riding Options
Catch a trolley ride from the park into downtown Lowell, then ride it back to Lowell National Historical Park for more tours with a ranger, on a boat or through a mill. Passengers can catch a trolley throughout the park during their operating hours at no charge.
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: NPS by Jim Higgins
The trolley itself is considered a specialty train and a part of transportation history. Most trolleys were utilized in medium-sized cities, where electric lines were readily available, and residents needed to travel greater distances than what had been done by walking in earlier years.
Length of Season
The trolleys at Lowell National Historical Park run from March through November, taking passengers to downtown Lowell and bringing them back to the national park.
Join the thousands of RVers that have a love affair with trains and ride the rails on your next camping trip. Check out the other excursion trains available on a state-by-state basis in our series, RVing the Rails.
There are 10,366 state parks in the U.S., compared to 59 national parks. While national parks are better known, and often contain more unbridled natural wilderness, state parks seriously deserve more of your attention.
They’re often less populated, closer to home, and offer just as many amenities (if not more!) as their national counterparts.
Touting 32 state parks, it was hard to narrow down Indiana’s best state parks to just five, but I selected a diverse collection that has something for everyone in the family.
Have something to add to my list? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
5. Chain O’ Lakes State Park
Photo by Owen Rupp
Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this park was practically in my backyard. The popular local favorite, Chain O’ Lakes State Park, is just a short drive north to Albion, IN. With nine connecting lakes and over 200 surface acres of water, Chain O’ Lakes has a lot to offer water-lovers of all sorts.
Fishing is offered year-round, and the park offers rentals for canoe, paddleboat, kayak, and rowboats. A large beach area makes this park a great choice for families in the summer. In addition to water-activities, Chain O’ Lakes has 12 hiking trails (of over 23 miles) and a wonderful nature center.
Events geared towards nature-lovers and children are offered daily. Re-enactments tours are regularly held in the historic 1915 schoolhouse, where you can explore and enjoy activities like writing with homemade paper and quills, making a candle, or watching fiber spinning.
Other hands-on and informative events include identifying (and clearing) invasive species with park rangers, classes on traditional Myaami plant knowledge, and interactive theatrical performances designed to engage the audience and give them a better understanding of a true-to-life frontiersman of the Indiana Territory. Campers have access to the park’s 331 electric sites, 49 non-electric sites, 33 primitive sites, and 4 rally campsites.
4. Shakamak State Park
Photo by Alex Holt
Southwest of Indianapolis in Jasonville, you’ll find the next hidden gem of Indiana: Shakamak State Park. This park consists of three massive man-made lakes with over 400 acres of water. There is no shortage of outdoor activities at Shakamak.
In addition to fishing and boating, Shakamak features a very popular family aquatic center with a pool and water slide. With reservable cabins, tennis courts, basketball courts, and over 13 miles of hiking trails, it’s clear that this park was designed with one thing in mind: campers. One unique feature of Shakamak is its Rent-A-Camps that sleep six people, complete with electricity, picnic tables, fire ring, parking spur, drinking water supply, and modern restrooms/showers.
For traditional camping, Shakamak has eight full hook-up sites, 114 electric sites, 42 non-electric sites, a youth tent area, dumping stations, and a camp store with basic supplies. One of the most appealing features of camping here is the environment: you feel fully immersed in nature here. Its quiet, wooded camping areas provide atmospheric shade in the summer, and a lovely immersion of colors in the fall. A wonderful festival is offered in the fall, featuring shuttle rides, pumpkin carving, and much more.
3. Indiana Dunes State Park
Photo by Ludomił
Off the southern coast of Lake Michigan in Chesterton, IN, you’ll find a childhood favorite of mine. Having family in Hammond, IN, we regularly enjoyed trips in the summer to the Indiana Dunes State Park, which contains the most unique eco-landscape in all of Indiana.
The park ranges over three miles of beach and 2,182 acres of beautiful Indiana landscape, but the real attraction at this park is its namesake: the massive sand dunes that formed over thousands of years. Rising as high as 200 feet, the Indiana Dunes are home to a remarkable array of animal and plant life, in addition to a robust fishery and an active bird-watching community.
The park features over sixteen miles of hiking trails, including some of the most difficult hikes you will find in the state. The massive peaks and valleys of the sand dunes add up to quite the workout. The park offers 140 electric sites (all 40-amp service) and a youth tent camp area.
Events are offered year-round, including campfires on the beach, meet-and-greets with local artists, boat tours, apple festivals, stargazing by telescopes, and much more. The Indiana Dunes is like nowhere else on earth and an absolute must-see.
2. Brown County State Park
Photo by Rula Sibai
While attending Indiana University—Bloomington, one of my favorite things about the experience was my proximity to Brown County State Park in Nashville, IN. Nicknamed “The Little Smokies,” the rolling forested hills of this park might make you forget that you’re in Indiana.
Featuring 16,000 acres of gorgeous, hilly vistas, Brown County is Indiana’s largest state park. With over eighteen miles of trails, this is the park to go to if you’re interested in getting lost in nature. Brown County is home to tons of outdoor activities, including horse and mountain bike trails, fishing/ice fishing, tennis courts, playgrounds, open fields, and a large swimming pool.
Daily family-friendly events include crafts, campfire cooking, creek exploration tours, bird-watching tours, and more. For camping, the park offers 401 electric sites, 28 non-electric sites, 60 rally sites, youth tent area, dumping station, and camp store.
The park’s rustic Abe Martin Lodge offers motel rooms, cabins, dining, conference facilities, and a super fun indoor water park. This is a great park to visit year-round, but many visitors flock to the park in the fall to enjoy 20 miles of exquisite autumnal colors playing out on the trees.
Located in the west-central town of Marshal, IN, Turkey Run is home to arguably the most famous hiking trail in the state, in which you can explore three canyons in the Falls Canyon-Rocky Hollow Nature Preserve. In addition to its famous trails, the park features an extensive nature center, cultural arts programs, fishing, playgrounds, horseback riding, tennis, and a swimming pool.
In terms of camping, Turkey Run State Park offers 213 electric sites, youth tent area, camp store, and dumping station. You should have no problem finding a place to camp, but it’s still highly recommended you call ahead of time.
What are your favorite parks in Indiana? Have you visited any of the parks listed? Please share your experiences in the comments below!
