Hikers And Campers Absolutely Love This Underrated Midwest State Park

About 17 miles southwest of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Shades State Park sits sprawled across 3,082 acres in Montgomery, Parke, and Fountain counties. The 15th state park in Indiana's collection, Shades is lesser known and less popular compared to Turkey Run State Park which is less than 20 miles away. In 2023, Shades saw a little less than 122,000 visitors, compared to nearly 800,000 who stopped in at Turkey Run. Despite being less visited, it features many similar sights to Turkey Run. For hikers and campers alike, Shades State Park is a well-rounded park and perhaps a little quieter, too.

Gorgeous sandstone cliffs rise up above Sugar Creek, a beautiful water feature that runs through both Shades and Turkey Run, draining into the larger Wabash River. The unique combination of ravines and cliffs, formed in Indiana's distant past, will challenge anyone who thinks Indiana is a boring, flat state to eat their words.

A daily entrance fee of $9 for out-of-state visitors and $7 for Indiana residents is all that stands between you and the wilderness at Shades. Thankfully, Shades is not one of the most dangerous spots to hike in the whole world, despite its earlier reputation as the Shades of Death. Early settlers to Indiana gave it this moniker due to the dark shadows created by the interesting landscape. Today, this park stands out as a tranquil spot to reconnect with nature in the middle of rural Indiana.

Shades State Park offers various campsite options, including 105 sites situated in a designated campground. There are no electric hookups at Shades, but pets are allowed at most campsites. A youth tent area provides ample space for young campers and youth groups looking for an enriching outdoor experience. For backpackers, seven backpack sites are dotted throughout the park. The park also has a dumping station for RV campers to empty wastewater. 

There's plenty to do at Shades, too. When you're not hanging out at a campsite or exploring the trails, canoe on Sugar Greek or go fishing around the park. A special characteristic of camping at Shades State Park is the beautiful stars visible each night. The location of the park boasts one of the darkest skies in the state of Indiana, which means you can look forward to some fantastic views you cannot get in more populated areas. The Wabash Valley Astronomical Society will often host events for interested park goers. See for yourself why Shades is one of the most breathtaking places to camp in the United States at night time.

Pick from a great selection of trails, ranging from easy to very rugged in Shades State Park. Hikers of any ability level are able to enjoy the sights and trails throughout the park. The scenic Trail 6 along Red Fox Ravine offers a short, half-mile jaunt back and forth from the pond. Passing near the curiously-named Devil's Punchbowl, Trail 6 allows you to check out the topography without climbing down into ravines. Make sure you know how to call for help when hiking in an area with no service before visiting Shades State Park. Cell service can be spotty in the park and some of the more rugged trails have spots that could become impassable due to rising water.  

Or for more experienced hikers, Trail 2 leads along Sugar Creek up the Pearl Ravine stream bed. It's smart to hike this trail clockwise to make sure the flatter part of the terrain is towards the end of the trail. There's also a special Six Ravine Challenge for serious hikers looking to showcase their ability. About 4.5 miles of trail, 570 man-made steps, and three ladders take you through six different ravines in Shades. However, the blog Always Exploring notes that they count at least 6 miles of trail after multiple times completing the challenge. Don't forget to scan the bedrock of the ravines for fossils of bryozoans and brachiopods.