7 Off-The-Grid Indiana Towns To Visit In 2025
From the deep blue waters of Lake Michigan to the north to the rolling hills and grassy plains of the south, Indiana is packed with areas of outstanding natural beauty. Amid its entrancing wilderness lie inviting small towns where you can be sure of a warm welcome. These captivating communities are the perfect destination for an off-the-grid retreat. Climb towering sand dunes, spend the night in an underground cavern, wander through a centuries-old forest, meet a wolf, do some farm work with the Amish, or just waste away an afternoon sipping locally made wines. Go off-grid in style in the Hoosier State.
Porter
Tucked into the northwest corner of Indiana is one of the state’s most beautiful wilderness areas, the Indiana Dunes National Park. Get off the grid in this 15,000-acre park with a stay in the nearby small town of Porter. Considered the gateway to the Dunes, Porter is a handy base from which to explore the 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 250-foot dunes, and 50 miles of trails. Visit the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center in Porter to see exhibits and displays on the park’s incredibly diverse ecosystem. You can also pick up the two-mile Dunes-Kankakee Trail, which runs north from the Center’s parking lot into the park. Within the park’s boundary, you’ll also find one of the best beaches in Indiana.
There’s more to Porter than the Dunes, however. This laid-back town is home to two important historic sites: the Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm. Both date back to the early 19th century and are located on neighboring properties within a maple, beech, basswood, and oak forest near the Little Calumet River.
French Lick
Just north of Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana is the charming town of French Lick. Nestled in beautiful countryside, this is the perfect place to forget your cares and get away from it all. Treat yourself to a trip on the French Lick Scenic Railway, which meanders through Hoosier National Forest and whips through the Burton Tunnel - the state’s second-longest railroad tunnel. Try a different mode of transport at The Stables at French Lick Resort, where you can explore for up to 90 minutes along guided trails on one of their friendly horses. The Stables also offer carriage rides and ponies for younger riders and has a gift shop where you can pick up western-style souvenirs.
French Lick is a 30-minute drive from one of Indiana’s most spectacular landmarks, the Marengo Cave. The cave and its recreation area offer cave tours, hiking, camping, gemstone mining, and pedal karting. You can even book yourself a night in the cave and sleep underground for a truly memorable camping experience. South of town, you’ll find Patoka Lake, an 8,800-acre reservoir popular with anglers, swimmers, and boaters. The lake is also a great place to spend a lazy afternoon birdwatching, looking out for bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and osprey.
Shipshewana
Northeastern Indiana’s idyllic rolling countryside has always attracted Amish-Mennonite settlers looking for a peaceful place to live a quiet, simple life. Follow in their footsteps by getting off grid in Shipshewana, a charming small town heavily influenced by Amish culture. Start your trip with a visit to the Menno-Hof information centre. Located amid beautiful parkland, the center explores five centuries of Hutterite, Amish, and Mennonite history. Highlights include replicas of a 17th-century sailing ship and a 19th-century meeting house.
Take a trip with Amish-owned Buggy Lane Tours, located downtown, to see the town from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage. Tours also include a trip to a nearby dairy farm to get hands-on and help with the Holstein milking. For more animal fun, head to Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park, a ten-minute drive north of downtown. Here you can visit the petting zoo, feed the monkeys, and take a safari-style wagon ride through the park. Back in town, try some authentic Amish cuisine at the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery, which serves up home-style cooking and freshly baked pies.
Battle Ground
Tucked into the Wabash Valley, a visit to Battle Ground isn’t so much getting off the grid as stepping back in time. This scenic small town was the scene of the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe when the United States army clashed with Tecumseh's Native American confederation. Now commemorated as a National Historic Landmark, the 100-acre Tippecanoe Battlefield Park includes a museum that tells the story of the Native American settlers, 19th-century life, and the battle itself. You can also visit the Wah-ba-shik-a Nature Center, explore the park’s extensive hiking trails, or make use of its pretty picnic facilities.
South of Battle Ground, you’ll find Indiana’s newest state park, Prophetstown. An area of tall prairie grass along the Wabash River, the park includes the Farm at Prophetstown, a working 1920s farm where you can learn homestead skills, visit the blacksmith’s shop, or enjoy some farm-to-table fare at the restaurant. Another must-see attraction in Battle Ground is Wolf Park, a 100+ acre wolf conservation and research preserve that’s also home to bison, foxes, and other wildlife. The park offers daily tours as well as specialty programs such as ‘Howl Nights’, bison encounters, and photography workshops.
Paoli
Platted in 1816, Paoli is a historic town in southern Indiana that’s particularly popular with off-gridders seeking a winter getaway thanks to the Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort. Operating on the stunning snowy slopes of the peaks, the resort offers skiing, tubing, and night skiing for all abilities. Don’t worry if you’re visiting off-season; you can still explore the wilderness by visiting the nearby Pioneer Mother’s Memorial Forest. This unique 88-acre forest contains old-growth trees that have grown undisturbed for centuries. In fact, it’s one of the last old-growth forests of its size in the state. Take the one-mile hiking trail through the preserve to see the canopy at its tranquil best.
From wilderness to wildlife, a trip to Wilstem Wildlife Park is a treat for the whole family, with lots to keep kids and the young at heart entertained. You can get up close with several of the park’s residents via their Animal Encounters programs, which include giraffes, sloths, monkeys, and elephants. Visitors can also go horseback riding, take a zipline ride, or take a Dino Safari.
Soak up some of Paoli’s fascinating history with a wander downtown. Here you’ll see the Orange County Courthouse, an 1850 Greek Revival building. The courthouse is one of Indiana's oldest and is still in use and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another notable sight in the downtown historic district is the 1890 Dr. Sherrod Residence, a stately Italianate residence now home to the Orange County Historical Society Museum.
New Harmony
A quaint and unusual village on the banks of the Wabash River, New Harmony certainly lives up to its tranquil name. Constructed in 1814 by the Harmonists, a group of separatists from the German Lutheran Church, the town’s founders erected 180 buildings in the 10 years they were there, many of which still stand today. After the Harmonists left, another Utopian community bought the town, bringing a new era of science, arts, and spirituality to New Harmony.
Learn about the town’s quirky history with a Historic New Harmony tour. Tours leave from the Atheneum Visitors Center and last around two hours. If you prefer to discover the sites solo, must-see stops include the Cathedral Labyrinth, modeled after a 12th-century French maze, and the Roofless Church, an open-air worship space overlooking the Wabash River. You’ll find more breathtaking views at the Harmonie State Park, four miles outside New Harmony. The park includes riverside paths, shady ravines, mountain biking trails, and picnic facilities.
Nashville
Not to be confused with Tennessee's home of country music, Nashville, Indiana, is a timeless town that can trace its history back to 1836. Known as the gateway to Brown County State Park, the town is rich in natural beauty and pristine wilderness. The park offers rustic cabins and campgrounds for those who want the full off-grid experience. There’s lots to explore for daytrippers too, with 70 miles of horse riding trails, 25 miles of mountain biking trails, and over nine miles of hiking trails.
The gorgeous countryside of Brown County has inspired many artists over the years, including legendary landscape painter T.C Steele. Visit the T.C. Steele Historic Site to enjoy a tour of Steele’s studio, home, and artwork. The property itself sits on 211 acres of lush gardens and includes the historic Dewar Log Cabin and five hiking trails.
If you’re feeling inspired, pick up some local art as a souvenir at the Brown County Craft Gallery, which offers a wide selection from over 30 local artists, including pottery, jewellery, clothing, metalwork, watercolors, and more. You’ll find another kind of art in the hills outside town — winemaking. The Brown County Winery has been serving local craft wines for over 30 years and offers two tasting rooms where you can see the wine being made, try a few sips, or pick up a case to take home.
Off-The-Grid Getaways
There’s a lot more to Indiana than most tourists realise. Away from the bright lights of Indianapolis and the bustling crowds of Fort Wayne, there are plenty of places to unplug, relax, and get to know the real Indiana. Have an adventure in the great outdoors, explore historical sites, or just wander without a destination in mind. In the state’s laid-back small towns, you can slow down, catch your breath, and go off-grid while keeping all your creature comforts.
