Top state parks
State ParkTurkey Run State Park
State ParkBrown County State Park
State ParkProphetstown State Park
State ParkMounds State Park
State ParkFalls of the Ohio State Park
State ParkIndiana Dunes State Park
State ParkShades State Park
State ParkVersailles State Park
State ParkMcCormick's Creek State Park
State ParkPokagon State Park
State ParkShakamak State Park
State ParkSpring Mill State Park
All state parks (22)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Run State Park | Parke County | — | Rockport | 3 |
| Brown County State Park | Brown County | — | Nashville | 4 |
| Prophetstown State Park | Tippecanoe County | — | Battle Ground | 5 |
| Mounds State Park | Madison County | — | Chesterfield | 6 |
| Falls of the Ohio State Park | Clark County | — | Jeffersonville | 8 |
| Indiana Dunes State ParkIndiana Dunes | Porter County | — | Porter | 5 |
| Shades State Park | Parke County | — | Rockport | 3 |
| Versailles State Park | Ripley County | — | Versailles | 4 |
| McCormick's Creek State Park | Owen County | — | Spencer | 4 |
| Pokagon State Park | Steuben County | — | Fremont | 4 |
| Shakamak State Park | Clay County | — | Jasonville | 3 |
| Spring Mill State Park | Lawrence County | — | Mitchell | 4 |
| Charlestown State Park | Clark County | — | Charlestown | 5 |
| White River State Park | Marion County | — | Indianapolis | 7 |
| Tippecanoe River State Park | Pulaski County | — | Winamac | 4 |
| Ouabache State Park | Wells County | — | Bluffton | 4 |
| Fort Harrison State Park | Marion County | — | Lawrence | 7 |
| Summit Lake State Park | Henry County | — | New Castle | 4 |
| O'Bannon Woods State Park | Crawford County | — | Corydon | 4 |
| Lincoln State ParkLincoln Boyhood | Spencer County | — | Dale | 3 |
| Whitewater Memorial State Park | Union County | — | Liberty | 4 |
| Chain O'Lakes State Park | Noble County | — | Albion | 4 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.