Explore Carmel, Indiana

Carmel is a suburb of Indianapolis in Hamilton County, Indiana. The community was originally platted in 1837 by four men, and in its early history, quite a few Quakers settled there. When it was first founded, the town was called Bethlehem. In 1846, a post office was established in the area with the name Carmel because there was already an existing one in Indiana named Bethlehem. In 1874, Bethlehem was officially renamed Carmel and incorporated as a city. Carmel is home to several sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Carmel Monon Depot and the John Kinzer House.

As of 2023, Carmel is home to approximately 106,000 people and is known as the "Capital of Roundabouts" due to it having more roundabout traffic interceptions than any other city in the country. Carmel is a great place to enjoy the performing arts; you can catch a show at lovely venues like the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre and the Center for the Performing Arts. If you're a fan of fine arts, you should stop by Art on Main Gallery & Gifts.

The Carmel area is home to several scenic parks and trails to explore. If the sun comes out, consider renting a bike and taking a ride along the popular Monon Trail. You could also explore the tranquil Coxhall Gardens, a unique botanical garden spanning 125 acres. There's also Cool Creek Park, which contains several shaded nature trails and paved pathways. If you enjoy wine, you could stop by one or more of Carmel's great wineries, such as the Sugar Creek Winery and the Peace Water Winery. When you want a tasty lunch or dinner, a few excellent options around town are Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream, Bazbeaux Pizza, and the locally-owned Divvy.

Campgrounds Near Carmel, Indiana

While you're in the Carmel area, you could camp at the Caboose Lake Campground, which offers 115 full-hookup RV campsites for $49 per night or $285 per week. The peaceful campground features lush trees, shady areas, and a well-stocked fishing pond. Located right on the shores of Caboose Lake, the campground provides boat rentals and great opportunities for water-based recreation. Additionally, there's an on-site general store stocked with groceries and other supplies.

You could also stay at the Indiana State Fair Campground, which is located in a convenient location for exploring Indianapolis. The year-round campground has 140 full-hookup RV campsites available, and there's 24-hour security on the premises. Guests have access to several amenities, including a playground, showers, and laundry facilities.

The Lake Haven Retreat is a beautiful camping area with spacious, well-maintained campsites. The park features 138 full-hookup RV campsites available for $37 per night or $222 per week. There are lots of amenities offered, including a rec hall, pavilion, playground, kids' activities, Wi-Fi, and more.

National Parks Near Carmel, Indiana

The closest national park to Carmel is Indiana Dunes National Park, which is located on the southern banks of Lake Michigan. In addition to being a scenic nature area, the park has long been considered a sacred site by Native Americans in the region. If you enjoy water-based recreation, you could visit the park's 15 miles of beautiful lakefront for a day of fishing, boating, and water sports. The park also contains a large stretch of countryside where visitors can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and biking. Other natural features of the area include sand dunes, rivers, forests, and wetlands, providing several different ecosystems for various wildlife species.

If you're interested in exploring the wonders of the underground world, you could head to central Kentucky and explore the fascinating Mammoth Cave National Park. Beneath the gently rolling hills, you'll find the planet's largest known cave system, with over 400 miles of caverns and more that are yet to be explored. You can see many of these caverns, such as the Frozen Niagara area and Gothic Avenue, by taking a guided tour of the caves. You'll get the chance to check out many cascading flowstone formations, as well as a variety of unique chambers. As for more traditional outdoor recreation, there are several rivers near the caves that are great spots for fishing and boating. Plus, there are scenic nature trails where you can go hiking, biking, or horseback riding.

Gateway Arch National Park is an iconic urban park located right in the heart of beautiful St. Louis. By far the most famous attraction at the site is the Gateway Arch itself, a 630-foot-tall shining arch that towers above the city and the Mississippi River. The arch is not only a breathtaking sight, but it also has historical significance; it commemorates the starting point of Lewis and Clark's famous journey. If you don't mind heights, you can ride a trolley to the top of the arch and enjoy the magnificent view. While you're visiting, you should also stop by a couple of the park's modern museums and historical buildings, such as the Old St. Louis Courthouse.

State Parks Near Carmel, Indiana

Mounds State Park is a serene natural haven and an important historical site. The site was once home to the Adena-Hopewell Native Americans, who built fascinating ceremonial earthwork mounds around the area. These mounds date back more than 2,000 years, and while you're there, you can take a guided tour to see and learn more about them. If you're just looking to have some outdoor fun, the park also boasts a swimming pool, a nature center, and several miles of quality hiking trails.

Summit Lake State Park is a wonderful recreation area located in east-central Indiana. The park comprises 2,680 acres of land and an 800-acre lake, providing opportunities for picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, and hiking. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, with over 100 avian species inhabiting the area. Additionally, the area is home to Zeigler Woods Nature Preserve, which is Henry County's only dedicated nature preserve.

Comprising nearly 16,000 acres of ridges, hills, and ravines, Brown County State Park is the largest park in all of Indiana. Because the area resembles the mighty Smoky Mountains, the park is often referred to as the "Little Smokies." Much of the park is covered in tree-lined pathways, dense woodlands, and breathtaking viewpoints. If you want to explore the picturesque area, you can navigate the many hiking and mountain biking trails. Alternatively, you could head to the saddle barn to take a guided horse ride or stop by the nature center to check out the endangered timber rattlesnake. Another great feature of the park is the Abe Martin Lodge, where you can take a swim in the newly constructed pool.

National Sites Near Carmel, Indiana

At the William Howard Taft National Historic Site, you can learn about the fascinating life and career of former United States President William Howard Taft. Taft was the only person to serve as both President and Chief Justice of the United States. The site features Taft's birthplace and childhood home, where you'll find educational exhibits about his upbringing. During your visit, you should also stop by the Taft Education Center, which offers a quaint bookstore and a short educational film about the site.

Another awesome site for history buffs to visit is Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. The site is a perfect place to learn about the history of Wilbur and Oliver Wright, two brothers who invented the first airplane. The site contains the Wright-Dunbar Interpretative Center, where you can learn amazing info about the brothers. You can also stop by Carillon Historical Park, where they flew their first practical airplane. Plus, the park features the Wright Brothers Cycle Shop, where the brothers repaired bicycles for a living earlier in life. Other attractions to see while you're there include Huffman Prairie Flying Field and the Huffman Prairie Interpretative Center.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park commemorates the site where British troops surrendered to soldiers led by Colonel George Rogers Clark on February 25, 1779. At the park, you can learn about the harsh winter and the events surrounding the monumental surrender. At the on-site Visitors Center, you can watch a 30-minute documentary and browse a variety of interesting exhibits. You should also stop by the Clark Memorial, and if you visit at the right time, you may be able to catch a living history demonstration as well.

National Forests Near Carmel, Indiana

Hoosier National Forest encompasses just over 200,000 acres in the hills of southern Indiana. The forest is home to lush woodlands, lakes, and streams filled with a variety of fish. While exploring the area, you can navigate the 265 miles of multi-use trails, most of which are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. A few of the best routes to check out are the Scarce O' Fat Loop, the Downey Hill Full Loop, and the Sycamore Trail Loop.

Daniel Boone National Forest is known for its unusually rough terrain, which includes narrow ravines, sandstone cliffs, and steep forested slopes. Comprising approximately 708,000 acres across 21 Kentucky counties, the unique forest also boasts three large lakes and multiple streams and rivers, offering great angling opportunities. If you're a wildlife enthusiast, you should watch for black bears, foxes, raccoons, eagles, songbirds, and other creatures while exploring the forest. There are many beautiful plants as well, with over 750 types of flowering plants and 170 species of moss throughout the forest.

The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is a 171,280-acre area that results from two dammed rivers in the region. The Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers flow through the area, and a canal closes off the section of land. As a result, the recreation area is the largest land-locked peninsula in the country. The scenic natural space is home to quite a few lovely hiking trails, including popular routes such as the Honker Trail and the Hematite Lake Trail. Visitors can also enjoy other recreational activities like fishing, geocaching, wildlife viewing, and stargazing.