Indiana has 26 State Parks, of those, 10 parks offer cabins or cottages that will sleep big families of 5 and 6 and four will sleep families of 7 or 8. One park will sleep large families of 9, 10, 11, 12. Mega-sized families or those planning reunions will find one park offers cabins that sleep 22. Plan a great outdoor getaway for your big family at one of these parks in the Hoosier State. So pack your hiking boots, your fishing gear, your bikes, and swimsuits; it’s time to enjoy some fresh air!
Chain O Lakes State Park
Nine connecting lakes will be the center of your adventures at Chain O’Lakes. Paddle through the chain of serene kettle lakes, fish the electric-motors-only lakes, visit the park’s historic one-room Stanley Schoolhouse or explore the Nature Center. Other facilities available for visitors to enjoy include a campground, beach and picnic shelters. Enjoy twelve hiking trails rated from easy to moderate and 1- 3 miles long. Chain O’Lakes offers 18 cabins, each with about 800 square feet with a double and two sets of bunk beds. They have an indoor kitchen and full bathroom, a screened porch and two bedrooms, and they sleep six.
Covered Bridge State Forest Retreat
Covered Bridge Retreat is an ideal group escape destination located eight miles north of Rockville, Indiana, in Parke County. This 300-acre vacation/retreat property is an outdoorsman’s paradise. It features 300 beautiful acres, 4.5 miles of well-marked woodland trails, a one-acre fishing pond close to the main lodge’s doorstep, equestrian facilities, wildlife viewing and a groomed campground. Access to this property is by reservation only. No motorized vehicles are allowed on trails. Three well-marked recreation trails traverse 300 acres of forest, streams and wood ravines. The trail lengths are 0.6, 1.7, and 1.8 miles in length.
The main lodge’s large wraparound deck overlooks acres of natural beauty, includes three bedrooms (sleeps 6), and 2.5 baths. The newly updated main lodge boasts every convenience. The open floorplan features a large kitchen, adjoining great room with fireplace, and 20-foot tall windows. Upstairs, the open loft, layout and furnishings offer a lodge-like ambience. Downstairs, the master bedroom opens to an expansive deck and view of the woods. The lower-level recreation room features comfy rustic hickory furniture.
Harmonie State Park
Located “on the banks of the Wabash” 25 miles northwest of Evansville, this state park offers a beautiful swimming pool, shady picnic areas, ravines and pristine landscape. Enjoy trails for walking, biking, and nature hikes.
Nearby Historic New Harmony honors two unique communities from the early 1800s. The Rappites located here in 1814. They were fleeing from religious persecution and awaiting the impending millennium. In 1824, the Owenites brought many great scientists and philosophers into the area when they purchased the Rappites holdings.
The park has two cabins that sleep 6 and nine cabins that will sleep families of up to 8. Cabins have a double bed and two sets of bunk beds. Cabins that sleep eight include a sofa sleeper. Both types have full kitchens.
Lincoln State Park
Discover the boyhood home of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The 1,747-acre park was established in 1932 as a memorial to Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. Lincoln State Park offers 10 miles of hiking trails, two scenic lakes, and an interpretive center to help you experience early life of settlers in southern Indiana. Your entire family can enjoy a relaxing time at one of the campgrounds, cabins or group cottages.
Blue Heron Family Cabins, open year-round, are on the north side of Lake Lincoln. The cabins sleep up to six, with two sets of bunk beds and a double bed in two bedrooms. The living area is open, with dining furniture and a sitting area. Across from the living area is the fully equipped kitchen. On the front of the cabin is a screened porch with a sitting area and table. All the cabins feature central air conditioning.
For a more rustic experience, look at the Pine Hills Cottages. Some cottages sleep up to 12 and others up to 16 people. These cottages do not have bathrooms or kitchens. Instead, a modern restroom facility is provided for the cottages and a fully equipped dining hall is available. These cottages also do not have heating or air conditioning.
McCormick’s Creek State Park
McCormick’s Creek State Park is the oldest state park in the U.S. state of Indiana, dedicated on July 4, 1916, as part of the state’s centennial celebration. Visitors to McCormicks Creek State Park can enjoy a wide variety of activities. Enjoy 10+ miles of well-marked hiking trails, taking you past unique features like Wolf Cave, Twin Bridges, and the Falls on McCormick’s Creek. If you enjoy horseback riding you can take guided trail rides or pony rides at the Saddle Barn. The Nature Center also offers a variety of exhibits, displays, and scheduled interpretive naturalist services year-round. Tire the kids out at the Olympic-size swimming pool, playgrounds, and playing fields. Or spend the afternoon fishing on the nearby White River.
Twelve cabins sleep families of 6 with a double and two sets of bunk beds. Visitors will need to bring cleaning supplies, bedding, pillows, towels, pots & pans, dishes, and silverware. Each cabin offers privacy and comfort with a living room, gas stove, refrigerator, screened-in porch, and a full bath (shower only).
Families of up to eight will like the Centennial Cabin. This beautiful two-story log cabin is nestled into the woods and adjacent to the State Nature Preserve. This cabin is 1400 square feet, offering three bedrooms, two full bathrooms (showers only), kitchen, living room, dining room, an enclosed four-season porch, and an open front porch with a picnic table and two rocking chairs. It is equipped with a gas cooking stove, refrigerator w/freezer, gas heat, central air conditioning, three queen size beds and two day beds, dishes, utensils, pots, pans, and bedding.
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Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Morgan–Monroe State Forest is the second-largest state forest in Indiana. Three forest lakes, Bryant Creek Lake (9 acres), Cherry Lake (4 acres), and Prather Lake (4 acres) are all open to fishing.
Cherry Lake Lodge is a historic woodland cabin with all the comforts of home. This unique retreat has its origins as a duty station for researchers when the State Forest was part of the Northeast Forest Experimental Station in the 1930s. The lodge’s large elevated back porch overlooks acres of natural beauty. Cherry Lake Lodge comfortably sleeps up to 6 with a queen bed in bedroom #1; queen bed in bedroom #2; sleeper sofa in the great room. The floor plan features a kitchen.
Potato Creek State Park
Potato Creek is located in north-central Indiana about 12 miles southwest of South Bend and surrounds the 327-acre Worster Lake. Enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing. Or head to the Nature Center for an afternoon of family fun. Potato Creek’s abundant flora and fauna are some of the highlights of the park, and the Nature Center will help you to get a better understanding of what you’re seeing.
Seventeen family cabins can accommodate families of up to 8. They have two bedrooms plus four rollaway beds. You will need to bring your bedding, including pillows (one bedroom has a full, the other has two twins, roll-away beds are full). The modern bath has a shower-tub. Bring towels and soaps. Cabins have a full kitchen with microwave, stove, and refrigerator. Pots & pans are provided. You will need to bring linens, soap, utensils, and dishes.
Shakamak State Park
Located 30 miles southeast of Terre Haute, Shakamak State Park is known for its great fishing. Three man-made lakes offer 400 acres of water for fishing and boating while a family aquatic center provides swimming fun. There are four hiking trails and a 10.5-mile road around the lake is good for biking. A small camp store supplies firewood, ice, bait, and sundries…Indiana fishing license at the park office.
Nineteen cabins sleep up to 6 with a full bed and two sets of bunk beds. Cabins include a full kitchen. The cabins come with mattresses but bring your own linen. Also plan on bringing your own cookware, dishes, toilet paper, dish soap. Cabins have window combo heater and air conditioner. The rooms were one multipurpose room that combined the bunk beds, kitchen table, electric stove and sink; one bedroom with the full bed, chest of drawers, and refrigerator, and the small bathroom with toilet, sink, and vanity with a few drawers, and shower.
Two cabins sleep eight with a queen, queen sofa sleeper, and 2 sets of bunk beds. Cabins have full kitchens and boat docks.
Twenty cottages sleep up to 22 with 11 sets of twin-sized bunk beds. Bring your own bedding. Cabins have heating/air conditioning, 1 ADA flush toilet, 1 standard flush toilet, 1 ADA shower, and 1 standard shower. Cabins include a refrigerator, stove/oven, and a sink.
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Trine State Recreation Area
Trine State Recreation Area, adjacent to Pokagon State Park, has kayaks, paddle boats, and fishing boats with electric motors for rent. Trine State Recreation Area, adjacent to Pokagon State Park, provides nearly 200 acres of rolling, wooded hills, open meadows, unique wetlands, and a kettle lake.
Only one cabin can sleep families of 6. It has 1 queen sofa sleeper and 2 sets of bunk beds. All cabins include basic kitchen appliances plus a screened-in porch with a table and chairs. Bedding, linens, and television are not provided. Bedding and towels are available at the welcome center for an extra fee.
Whitewater Memorial State Park
The Brookville / Whitewater Complex has over 13,500 combined acres of land. In addition to the land – each property has a lake. Brookville Lake is approximately 5260 acres and Whitewater Lake is approximately 200 acres. There are many recreational opportunities available on the combined properties including camping, fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, and swimming.
The park offers 20 cabins that sleep families of up to 6. Cabins have an electronic furnace, air conditioning, refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, and coffee pot. You will need to bring linens for the queen bed, queen sofa sleeper, and twin bunk beds. Other items to bring include dishes, utensils, and personal toiletries.
