State Parks Near Indianapolis, Indiana
8 state park units lie within 50 miles of Indianapolis. The closest is Fort Harrison State Park, about 9 mi northeast of town. 1 park is within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Fort Harrison State Park9 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 1of 8 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 61 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 0pets allowed
State parks near Indianapolis, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Indianapolis; driving distance is usually longer.
Fort Harrison State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, ice fishing, golf, winter sports, and historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Harrison State Park →Mounds State Park
Visitors come for fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Overnight options include 75 campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Mounds State Park →Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA)
Popular activities here are horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA) →Brown County State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, ice fishing, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool. For overnight stays there are 693 campsites across 5 camping areas (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Brown County State Park →McCormick's Creek State Park
The park supports historic sites, swimming, picnicking, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool.
Hours, fees and rules for McCormick's Creek State Park →Summit Lake State Park
Popular activities here are ice fishing, winter sports, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Summit Lake State Park →Cecil M Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA)
Things to do include ice fishing, horseback riding, historic sites, winter sports, and archery. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Cecil M Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA) →Monroe Lake
Things to do include ice fishing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Monroe Lake →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Indianapolis
- Mounds State Park 36 mi northeast · 75 campsites
- Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA) 44 mi southwest · 216 campsites
- Brown County State Park 45 mi south · 693 campsites
- Summit Lake State Park 48 mi east · Campground listed
- Cecil M Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA) 49 mi west · 312 campsites
+ 1 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Indianapolis
- Monroe Lake 50 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
Swimming near Indianapolis
- Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA) 44 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Brown County State Park 45 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- McCormick's Creek State Park 46 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Summit Lake State Park 48 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Cecil M Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA) 49 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 1 more in the list above
Hiking near Indianapolis
- Fort Harrison State Park 9 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Mounds State Park 36 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA) 44 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Brown County State Park 45 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- McCormick's Creek State Park 46 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 3 more in the list above
Fishing near Indianapolis
- Fort Harrison State Park 9 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Mounds State Park 36 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA) 44 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Brown County State Park 45 mi south · Fishing listed
- Summit Lake State Park 48 mi east · Fishing listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Indianapolis
What is the closest state park to Indianapolis?
Fort Harrison State Park is the closest, about 9 miles northeast of Indianapolis in a straight line. Next are Mounds State Park and Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA).
How many state parks are near Indianapolis?
8 state park units are within 50 miles, and 1 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Indianapolis have camping?
6 parks list camping, the nearest being Mounds State Park, Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber and Cataract Falls SRA) and Brown County State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Indianapolis?
None of the parks listed here say dogs are allowed. Check each park page before bringing a pet.
Are there free state parks near Indianapolis?
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
- Near Zionsville, IN18 mi northwest
- Near Westfield, IN18 mi north
- Near Shelbyville, IN25 mi southeast
- Near Martinsville, IN29 mi southwest
- Near Columbus, IN41 mi south
- Near Greensburg, IN45 mi southeast
- Near Bloomington, IN47 mi southwest
- Near Muncie, IN49 mi northeast
Or see all Indiana state parks or every city we cover.
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.