If you’re anything like us, as soon as that calendar flipped to January 1st, 2021, you thought to yourself: “I need to put together a must-do list for my travels this year!” Well, you’re in luck, because we’ve done the footwork for you. Here are our top picks for the seven Indiana natural wonders that you need to see this year.
- Salamonie River State Forest
restup/Flickr There’s a ton of forests throughout the great state of Indiana, but this one doesn’t seem to get as much love as it should. It spans 950 acres and is partially the amazing result of a historic reforestation project undertaken in the 1930s. It’s got 15 miles of horse trails, six miles of walking & hiking trails, and, of course, some stunningly beautiful waterfalls to admire.
Find it at 5124 County Rd 100 S, Lagro, IN 46941.
- Williamsport Falls
Tom Gill/Flickr This lovely waterfall is one of the special ones! At 90 feet tall, it’s the second-tallest waterfall in Indiana. In the summer, it’s warm and lush. In the winter, it’s breathtaking.
Find it at 25 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993.
- Ohio River Fossil Beds
Kyle Hartshorn/Flickr These awe-inspiring fossil beds peek out here and there from the depths of the Ohio River. These beds are one of the oldest known on earth at an amazing ~390 million years old. Remember to look, but don’t touch!
Find them at 201 W Riverside Dr, Clarksville, IN 47129.
- Thistlethwaite Falls
Kyle Hartshorn/Flickr Okay, okay. This one isn’t technically a natural wonder, but it’s old enough now that it might as well be! Created when a gentleman by the name of Thomas Thistlethwaite blasted out a portion of the Whitewater River in an attempt to create a new channel. Today, it’s a hot-spot for fossil hunters, so if you’re craving some fossils, check this place out!
Find it at 65 Waterfall Rd, Richmond, IN 47374.
- The 7 Pillars
Tom Gill/Flickr These intriguing geological wonders sit on a bank of the Mississinewa River, about four miles south of Peru, Indiana. They’re simple but sweet: it’s ancient limestone carved into very interesting “pillar” shapes by water and wind over millions of years. Make sure to check these out up close!
Find them at 3555 Mississinewa Rd, Peru, IN 46970.
- The Indiana Cave Trail
Dave Thomas/Flickr Okay, maybe it’s just that we really love geology, but does it get any cooler than this? The Indiana Cave Trail is exactly what it sounds like- a visit to four different cave systems. The caves in the trail are Indiana Caverns, Marengo Cave (pictured!), Squire Boone Caverns, and Bluespring Caverns. Simply pick up your “passport” at any one of the caves, and get it stamped at each stop. If you do all four, you get a nifty prize at the end.
You can start at any one of the four mentioned caves, but you can find Marengo Cave at 400 East State Road 64, Marengo, IN 47140.
- Cataract Falls
Paul/Flickr Last on this list but certainly not in our hearts, Cataract Falls is more than perfect for knocking out during the winter when the falls freeze over and take on an ethereal beauty. It consists of two falls about one mile apart; one is 45 feet tall and the other is 30 feet tall. Together, they create the largest waterfall (by volume) in Indiana.
Find this wonder at Lieber State Recreation Area, 1317 W Lieber Rd, Cloverdale, IN 46120.
So, tell us, which of these wonders is your favorite? What other nature spots are on your bucket list for 2021? Sound off in the comments!
restup/Flickr
There’s a ton of forests throughout the great state of Indiana, but this one doesn’t seem to get as much love as it should. It spans 950 acres and is partially the amazing result of a historic reforestation project undertaken in the 1930s. It’s got 15 miles of horse trails, six miles of walking & hiking trails, and, of course, some stunningly beautiful waterfalls to admire.
Find it at 5124 County Rd 100 S, Lagro, IN 46941.
Tom Gill/Flickr
This lovely waterfall is one of the special ones! At 90 feet tall, it’s the second-tallest waterfall in Indiana. In the summer, it’s warm and lush. In the winter, it’s breathtaking.
Find it at 25 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993.
Kyle Hartshorn/Flickr
These awe-inspiring fossil beds peek out here and there from the depths of the Ohio River. These beds are one of the oldest known on earth at an amazing ~390 million years old. Remember to look, but don’t touch!
Find them at 201 W Riverside Dr, Clarksville, IN 47129.
Okay, okay. This one isn’t technically a natural wonder, but it’s old enough now that it might as well be! Created when a gentleman by the name of Thomas Thistlethwaite blasted out a portion of the Whitewater River in an attempt to create a new channel. Today, it’s a hot-spot for fossil hunters, so if you’re craving some fossils, check this place out!
Find it at 65 Waterfall Rd, Richmond, IN 47374.
These intriguing geological wonders sit on a bank of the Mississinewa River, about four miles south of Peru, Indiana. They’re simple but sweet: it’s ancient limestone carved into very interesting “pillar” shapes by water and wind over millions of years. Make sure to check these out up close!
Find them at 3555 Mississinewa Rd, Peru, IN 46970.
Dave Thomas/Flickr
Okay, maybe it’s just that we really love geology, but does it get any cooler than this? The Indiana Cave Trail is exactly what it sounds like- a visit to four different cave systems. The caves in the trail are Indiana Caverns, Marengo Cave (pictured!), Squire Boone Caverns, and Bluespring Caverns. Simply pick up your “passport” at any one of the caves, and get it stamped at each stop. If you do all four, you get a nifty prize at the end.
You can start at any one of the four mentioned caves, but you can find Marengo Cave at 400 East State Road 64, Marengo, IN 47140.
Paul/Flickr
Last on this list but certainly not in our hearts, Cataract Falls is more than perfect for knocking out during the winter when the falls freeze over and take on an ethereal beauty. It consists of two falls about one mile apart; one is 45 feet tall and the other is 30 feet tall. Together, they create the largest waterfall (by volume) in Indiana.
Find this wonder at Lieber State Recreation Area, 1317 W Lieber Rd, Cloverdale, IN 46120.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Indiana, USA
