State Parks Near Evansville, Indiana

6 state park units lie within 50 miles of Evansville, including 4 parks across the line in Kentucky and Illinois. The closest is John James Audubon State Park, about 8 mi south of town. 2 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.

Closest park
John James Audubon State Park8 mi south
Within 25 miles
2of 6 within 50 mi
With camping
52 with cabins
Dog-friendly
2pets allowed

State parks near Evansville, nearest first

Straight-line distance from central Evansville; driving distance is usually longer.

  1. John James Audubon State Park

    8 miles south · Henderson, Kentucky · State Park

    The park supports golf, historic sites, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 6.5 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are 69 campsites (tent sites). There are also cabins for rent.

    69 campsitesCabins/lodgingDogs allowedHikingFishing$10 per adult

    Hours, fees and rules for John James Audubon State Park →

  2. Harmonie State Park

    23 miles west · Mount Vernon, Indiana · State Park

    Things to do include horseback riding, mountain biking, boating, fishing, and biking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.

    HikingFishingBoating

    Hours, fees and rules for Harmonie State Park →

  3. Beall Woods State Park

    30 miles northwest · Mount Carmel, Illinois · State Park

    Beall Woods State Park is a park in Wabash County, about 6 miles southwest of Mount Carmel.

    1 alertCampingDogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for Beall Woods State Park →

  4. Lincoln State Park

    30 miles east · Lincoln City, Indiana · State Park

    Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 10 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp.

    1 alert269 campsitesSwimmingHikingFishingBoating

    Hours, fees and rules for Lincoln State Park →

  5. Hamilton County

    47 miles west · McLeansboro, Illinois · State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Hamilton County is a state fish and wildlife area in Hamilton County, about 7 miles northwest of Norris City.

    Camping

    Hours, fees and rules for Hamilton County →

  6. Cave-in-Rock State Park

    50 miles southwest · Cave-in-Rock, Illinois · State Park

    If you'd rather not camp, the park offers lodge rooms.

    CampingCabins/lodging

    Hours, fees and rules for Cave-in-Rock State Park →

Best picks by activity

Camping near Evansville

  1. John James Audubon State Park 8 mi south · 69 campsites
  2. Beall Woods State Park 30 mi northwest · Campground listed
  3. Lincoln State Park 30 mi east · 269 campsites
  4. Hamilton County 47 mi west · Campground listed
  5. Cave-in-Rock State Park 50 mi southwest · Campground listed

Cabins and lodging near Evansville

  1. John James Audubon State Park 8 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
  2. Cave-in-Rock State Park 50 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays

Dog-friendly state parks near Evansville

  1. John James Audubon State Park 8 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
  2. Beall Woods State Park 30 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules

Swimming near Evansville

  1. Lincoln State Park 30 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area

Hiking near Evansville

  1. John James Audubon State Park 8 mi south · Hiking trails listed
  2. Harmonie State Park 23 mi west · Hiking trails listed
  3. Lincoln State Park 30 mi east · Hiking trails listed

Fishing near Evansville

  1. John James Audubon State Park 8 mi south · Fishing listed
  2. Harmonie State Park 23 mi west · Fishing listed
  3. Lincoln State Park 30 mi east · Fishing listed

Questions about state parks near Evansville

What is the closest state park to Evansville?

John James Audubon State Park is the closest, about 8 miles south of Evansville in a straight line. Next are Harmonie State Park and Beall Woods State Park.

How many state parks are near Evansville?

6 state park units are within 50 miles, and 2 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.

Which state parks near Evansville have camping?

5 parks list camping, the nearest being John James Audubon State Park, Beall Woods State Park and Lincoln State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.

Are dogs allowed at state parks near Evansville?

Yes, at 2 parks, including John James Audubon State Park and Beall Woods State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.

Are there free state parks near Evansville?

None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.

State parks near other cities

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Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.