Nothing is more relaxing than water. Spending a day by the lake makes for the perfect afternoon, and we’ve got 11 lake trails to help you do just that. Discover some of the best views in the state when you hike these stunning paths.
Nature lovers unite for some top-notch places to treebathe and get some fresh air. Check them out:
- Peninsula Trail
AllTrails/Cameron Schambre Located within the Charles C. Deam Wilderness near Bloomington, this trail is 9.8 miles and takes hikers past Lake Monroe, which is south of Indianapolis. You’ll be blown away by the sparkling clear water found here.
- Three Lakes Trail
AllTrails/Ryan Babbitt Located near Martinsville, this loop trail leads to a tiny patch of water known as Cherry Lake in the Morgan Monroe State Forest. The path stretches 9.2 miles and is great for bird watching, running, and walking the dog.
- Lakeshore Trail
AllTrails/anne b Located within Whitewater Memorial State Park near the town of Liberty, this 2.6-mile trail has some of the best views. It ends with an observation deck that lets you see Whitewater Lake in all its glory.
- Spring Valley Trail
AllTrails/Chris N Located in the Hoosier National Forest near Greenbrier is one of the most gorgeous lake trails in the state. This 10.2-mile loop trail is great for camping, backpacking, horseback riding, and fishing.
- Two Lakes Loop Trail
AllTrails/Greg Siegrist Circling 11.4 miles of the Hoosier National Forest, this wonderful path is located near St. Croix. It takes hikers past Lake Celina and Indian Lake and is full of wonderful views, wildlife, and greenery.
- Pate Hollow Trail
AllTrails/Michael Welch Another Hoosier National Forest trail, this one takes you past a branch of Lake Monroe near Bloomington. Visitors enjoy tunnels, camping, birding, and unbelievable views.
- Bloodroot Trail
AllTrails/Ben Shaffer This is definitely one of the best lake trails in the state because it leads to a beach and is great for small boats. The 14.2-mile loop trail located near Largo rubs up against Salamonie Lake and is great for mountain biking, dog walking, and other nature trips.
- Chain O’Lakes Trails Loop
AllTrails/Erica Hanley This 10.2-mile loop trail in Chain O’Lakes State Park is an easy path that’s great for the whole family. The state park is located in Albion and has several lakes you may encounter in addition to wildlife, wild flowers, and other natural wonders.
- Dune Succession and West Beach Trail
AllTrails/Phillip Glanz Located near Portage, this is one of many dunes trails you can take in Indiana that leads to Lake Michigan. While it may be just a small portion, Hoosiers do claim part of this Great Lake. Enjoy a 2.7-mile hiking trail that will make you feel like you’re in a whole other world.
- Strahl Lake
AllTrails/Richard Lenyo This short, .7-mile hike is great for all skill levels and offers some of the best lakeside views of any trail. It is located in Brown County State Park near Van Buren and is great for birding and dog walking.
- Versailles Trail 3, 2, 1 Loop
AllTrails/Shirley Howard This six-mile loop trail is located in Versailles State Park and goes by Versailles Lake in the southeast portion of the state. Guests will find a waterfall, wild flowers, wildlife, and many more absolutely amazing natural attractions.
Fore more peace by the water, check out 11 more stunning lakes in Indiana locals don’t want you to know about.
AllTrails/Cameron Schambre
Located within the Charles C. Deam Wilderness near Bloomington, this trail is 9.8 miles and takes hikers past Lake Monroe, which is south of Indianapolis. You’ll be blown away by the sparkling clear water found here.
AllTrails/Ryan Babbitt
Located near Martinsville, this loop trail leads to a tiny patch of water known as Cherry Lake in the Morgan Monroe State Forest. The path stretches 9.2 miles and is great for bird watching, running, and walking the dog.
AllTrails/anne b
Located within Whitewater Memorial State Park near the town of Liberty, this 2.6-mile trail has some of the best views. It ends with an observation deck that lets you see Whitewater Lake in all its glory.
AllTrails/Chris N
Located in the Hoosier National Forest near Greenbrier is one of the most gorgeous lake trails in the state. This 10.2-mile loop trail is great for camping, backpacking, horseback riding, and fishing.
AllTrails/Greg Siegrist
Circling 11.4 miles of the Hoosier National Forest, this wonderful path is located near St. Croix. It takes hikers past Lake Celina and Indian Lake and is full of wonderful views, wildlife, and greenery.
AllTrails/Michael Welch
Another Hoosier National Forest trail, this one takes you past a branch of Lake Monroe near Bloomington. Visitors enjoy tunnels, camping, birding, and unbelievable views.
AllTrails/Ben Shaffer
This is definitely one of the best lake trails in the state because it leads to a beach and is great for small boats. The 14.2-mile loop trail located near Largo rubs up against Salamonie Lake and is great for mountain biking, dog walking, and other nature trips.
AllTrails/Erica Hanley
This 10.2-mile loop trail in Chain O’Lakes State Park is an easy path that’s great for the whole family. The state park is located in Albion and has several lakes you may encounter in addition to wildlife, wild flowers, and other natural wonders.
AllTrails/Phillip Glanz
Located near Portage, this is one of many dunes trails you can take in Indiana that leads to Lake Michigan. While it may be just a small portion, Hoosiers do claim part of this Great Lake. Enjoy a 2.7-mile hiking trail that will make you feel like you’re in a whole other world.
AllTrails/Richard Lenyo
This short, .7-mile hike is great for all skill levels and offers some of the best lakeside views of any trail. It is located in Brown County State Park near Van Buren and is great for birding and dog walking.
AllTrails/Shirley Howard
This six-mile loop trail is located in Versailles State Park and goes by Versailles Lake in the southeast portion of the state. Guests will find a waterfall, wild flowers, wildlife, and many more absolutely amazing natural attractions.
What other lake trails in Indiana do you enjoy? Share your favorites with us below in the comments.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
