Beach day, anyone? Sure, Indiana might be one of those states that are 100% landlocked, but that doesn’t mean we can’t party it up on some of its most amazing beaches anyway! We’ve gone ahead and selected six of our picks for the best beaches in Indiana that you’ll want to plan an escape to ASAP. What have you got to lose? Pack up your sunblock and giant hat and head to these amazing little escapes right here in the Hoosier State that are sure to scratch that “beach day” itch.
- Fairfax Beach, Lake Monroe
Michael D/TripAdvisor
Michael D/TripAdvisor Lake Monroe is a major hub of activity during the summer. Hoosiers simply love this place, and for excellent reasons: it’s clean, scenic, and perfect for a hot, sunny day. Fairfax Beach is a part of the beautiful town of Bloomington, and it’s as beautiful as it is fun and refreshing. Come on a weekday for a much less crowded experience. Lake Monroe is seriously just one of those lakes in Indiana you need to visit at least once. Fairfax Beach, Lake Monroe, S Fairfax Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
- Potawatomi Inn Beach, Lake James
Management/TripAdvisor
IN.gov This beach is private and belongs to the fine fellows at Potawatomi Inn on Lake James. It’s a delight for so many reasons: it’s chilly all summer long, it’s clean, and most of all, it is absolutely pristine. Potawatomi Inn is no slouch, either - it’s one of the best places to stay in Indiana, even without the lake access! Potawatomi Inn Beach, Angola, IN 46703, USA
- Deam Lake State Recreation Beach, Deam Lake
Jpogi/Wikimedia
Shelley D/TripAdvisor The stunning Deam Lake State Recreation Area is a perfect escape for your inner outdoorsy self. The lake in 194 beautiful acres of sparkling, clear water, and this beach often feels like the real deal (well, because it is). Fun fact: Deam Lake was named after the first-ever state forester, Charles Deam. Talk about an amazing legacy! Deam Lake State Recreation Area, 1217 Deam Lake Rd, Borden, IN 47106, USA
- West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park
Nathan Traxler/AllTrails
Patti Perkons/AllTrails Absolutely no list of the best beaches in Indiana would be complete without at least a couple Lake Michigan beaches. 45 miles of Lake Michigan’s coastline are in Indiana, and as a result, there are numerous excellent beaches well worth mentioning along the way. West Beach is one of them, filled to the brim with fun amenities and, not to mention, some of the most amazing views in the Hoosier State. West Beach, Portage, IN 46403, USA
- Washington Park Beach, Michigan City
Leonardo R/TripAdvisor
Robert W/TripAdvisor Michigan City, Indiana, is outrageously scenic and feels much more like an east-coast destination than somewhere landlocked in the Midwest. It’s another beach along Lake Michigan’s shores and to say it’s “photogenic” is to make the understatement of the century. Best of all, perhaps, is that it’s open year-round, and it’s astonishingly beautiful year-round, too. Visit in the winter after a deep freeze and get your mind blown. Washington Park Beach, City Hall & 100 E. Michigan, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
- Kemil Beach, Beverly Shores
Kat/Flickr
unwiht/TripAdvisor Last on this list but definitely far from least is Kemil Beach, which is found in the amazing little dark-sky town of Beverly Shores. The town is as gorgeous as the beach, and you won’t be able to dig your toes into the soft, warm sand deep enough. Enjoy amazing scenery that rivals the ocean in every way. This one isn’t one you’ll forget in this lifetime. Kemil Beach, Beverly Shores, IN 46304, USA
Which of these amazing beaches in Indiana are your favorites? Did we leave your favorite off the list? Tell us about it in the comments, and you might just see it featured someday!
Michael D/TripAdvisor
Lake Monroe is a major hub of activity during the summer. Hoosiers simply love this place, and for excellent reasons: it’s clean, scenic, and perfect for a hot, sunny day. Fairfax Beach is a part of the beautiful town of Bloomington, and it’s as beautiful as it is fun and refreshing. Come on a weekday for a much less crowded experience. Lake Monroe is seriously just one of those lakes in Indiana you need to visit at least once.
Fairfax Beach, Lake Monroe, S Fairfax Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
IN.gov
This beach is private and belongs to the fine fellows at Potawatomi Inn on Lake James. It’s a delight for so many reasons: it’s chilly all summer long, it’s clean, and most of all, it is absolutely pristine. Potawatomi Inn is no slouch, either - it’s one of the best places to stay in Indiana, even without the lake access!
Potawatomi Inn Beach, Angola, IN 46703, USA
Jpogi/Wikimedia
Shelley D/TripAdvisor
The stunning Deam Lake State Recreation Area is a perfect escape for your inner outdoorsy self. The lake in 194 beautiful acres of sparkling, clear water, and this beach often feels like the real deal (well, because it is). Fun fact: Deam Lake was named after the first-ever state forester, Charles Deam. Talk about an amazing legacy!
Deam Lake State Recreation Area, 1217 Deam Lake Rd, Borden, IN 47106, USA
Nathan Traxler/AllTrails
Patti Perkons/AllTrails
Absolutely no list of the best beaches in Indiana would be complete without at least a couple Lake Michigan beaches. 45 miles of Lake Michigan’s coastline are in Indiana, and as a result, there are numerous excellent beaches well worth mentioning along the way. West Beach is one of them, filled to the brim with fun amenities and, not to mention, some of the most amazing views in the Hoosier State.
West Beach, Portage, IN 46403, USA
Leonardo R/TripAdvisor
Robert W/TripAdvisor
Michigan City, Indiana, is outrageously scenic and feels much more like an east-coast destination than somewhere landlocked in the Midwest. It’s another beach along Lake Michigan’s shores and to say it’s “photogenic” is to make the understatement of the century. Best of all, perhaps, is that it’s open year-round, and it’s astonishingly beautiful year-round, too. Visit in the winter after a deep freeze and get your mind blown.
Washington Park Beach, City Hall & 100 E. Michigan, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA
Kat/Flickr
unwiht/TripAdvisor
Last on this list but definitely far from least is Kemil Beach, which is found in the amazing little dark-sky town of Beverly Shores. The town is as gorgeous as the beach, and you won’t be able to dig your toes into the soft, warm sand deep enough. Enjoy amazing scenery that rivals the ocean in every way. This one isn’t one you’ll forget in this lifetime.
Kemil Beach, Beverly Shores, IN 46304, USA
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