Best Motorcycle Roads and Destinations in Indiana, United States

The state of Indiana or “the Hoosier State” is a northeastern region positioned at the crossroads of the United States. You should be able to notice the sudden shift in the scenery as you travel between the north and south areas within the state. In Northern Indiana, the roads will cut through farmlands, small communities, and hardwood forests. In Southern Indiana, you will visit quaint border towns alongside the coast of the Ohio River. If you were looking for the perfect place in the U.S. to go on a motorcycle trip, then you have found it.

If you are not quite sure what to expect or what you are looking for in Indiana, this article will help familiarize you with Indiana’s best motorcycle roads and destinations. 

Distance: 16 miles
Time: 21 minutes
Start: Portage
End: Michigan City

Staying close to the coast of Lake Michigan, you leave Portage behind as you begin your journey towards the northeast. You can get views of the lake if you stop by the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. As you pass by Burns Harbor, you may get to explore the hiking trails in Cowles Bog.

The highlight of this route is when you visit both Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park. Besides being ideal locations for picnic areas and campsites, they also lead down to the beaches next to Lake Michigan. If you continue further down, you can walk on the sand at Kemil Beach, Lake View Beach, and Central Beach.

Arriving in Michigan City, you can check out the exotic wildlife at the Washington Park Zoo. During the evening, you should be able to see the light illuminating from the lighthouse constructed in 1904.

Distance: 125 miles
Time: 2 hours 53 minutes
Start: Corydon
End: Corydon

Before you enter the loop, you can check out the Battle of Corydon Battlefield from the Civil War within proximity to Corydon. Heading west, you can see the stalactites and stalagmites making up the Wyandotte Caves a little away from Leavenworth.

When you first meet the Ohio River at Leavenworth, you will be able to see Horseshoe Bend. Eventually, you enter the Hoosier National Forest as the road begins to turn southward. Keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, foxes, or opossums that may be crossing the road.

As you loop back around, you will hug the Ohio River and the border between Indiana and Kentucky. When you get close to Cannelton, you can get a nice view at the top of Eagles Bluff Overlook Park or sample the drinks at Blue Heron Vineyard & Winery. 

Distance: 17 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Start: Nineveh
End: Nashville

If you wish to stretch your legs before setting out, take a stroll through Johnson Country Park close to Nineveh. As you head out, the road will curve around the Princes, Cordry, and Sweetwater Lakes.

Besides the Salt Creek Farm that you encounter near the end of the route, there are not many roadside attractions. However, this road is relatively smooth with gentle curves that make for a leisurely ride for both veteran and novice motorcyclists. Just keep an eye out for occasional cracks in the pavement.

This road will end at the intersection that meets State Road 46 which is just at the northern tip of Brown County State Park. 

Distance: 112 miles
Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
Start: Bloomington
End: Mauckport

Before you leave Bloomington, you can check out the campus of one of Indiana’s largest colleges, Indiana University. If you happen to stop by during the spring, you may be able to witness the local bicycle race, the Little 500.

You will head east until you pass in between Yellowwood State Forest and Brown County State Park. Continuing to pass through Brown County State Park, you will then turn and head straight south.

If you wish to feed your love for fast vehicles, you should check out the Salem Speedway in the town of Salem. As you get closer to Mauckport, you can explore the Squire Boone Caverns which have glowing pools and slick rock formations. 

Distance: 84 miles
Time: 1 hour 46 minutes
Start: North Salem
End: North Salem

Within the vicinity of North Salem, you can take a walk through McCloud Nature Park if you prefer time off the road. After you embark, you should come across the Red Dog Saloon, a place to meet other riders and grab a quick meal.

On the northern side of the loop, you will head straight west, passing through the town of Ladoga and Deer Mill. You will pass through both Shades State Park and Pine Hills Nature Preserve.

On the southern side of the loop, you will pass by Turkey Run State Park and Lake Waveland. If you happen to stop by Roachdale, you may get to see the Bugle Valley Elk Farm. 

Distance: 22 miles
Time: 34 minutes
Start: Washington Township
End: Bloomfield

You start at the edge of McCormick’s Creek State Park which has plenty of outdoor activities available including hiking, camping, and fishing. As you begin to head southward, the road should be relatively narrow as it goes by scenic hills and hollows.

As you curve around near Solsberry, you might get to walk through Sculpture Trails which have many unique art pieces lined up along the side of the trails.

Take a slight detour when you get in the range of Bloomfield to get a view of the Bloomfield Viaduct or the Tulip Trestle. You can also try out the drinks at Huckleberry Hill Winery and Vineyard. 

Distance: 25 miles
Time: 39 minutes
Start: US-50, Bedford
End: US-50, Shoals

Traveling parallel to the East Fork White River, you will head out of Bedford. You can stop by at the Blue Spring Caverns to go spelunking while admiring the interior rock formations. You will eventually enter the northern part of the Hoosier National Forest.

There is a small community known as Williams which lies within the Hoosier National Forest. You can take the opportunity to rest, take pictures of the natural scenery, or stock up supplies. Try heading up to the old dam that will give you an overlook of the East For White River below.

Upon getting to the end of the route, you can admire the natural scenery surrounding Shoals. These include Jug Rock and Overlook Park. 

Distance: 82 miles
Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Start: Warren, Indianapolis, IN
End: Harrison, OH

Considering that Indianapolis is the state capital, this city has no shortage of attractions that satisfy many different interests. There are the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Indianapolis Zoo.

Continuing straight southeast, you will eventually end up in Brookville. If the season is right, you can purchase the produce displayed at the stands of White’s Farm. You will also be able to make out Brookville Lake, Mounds State Recreation Area, and County Park in the distance.

Passing across the border between Indiana and Ohio, you will conclude this route at Harrison. You may get to admire the natural scenery or travel out onto the lake in the Miami Whitewater Forest. 

Distance: 75 miles
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Start: Charleston, IL
End: Turkey Run State Park, IN

Starting in Illinois, you head eastward while departing Charleston. This portion of the route should be relatively easy thanks to the roads being relatively smooth despite many of the sharp turns. Much of the surroundings will include vast farmlands and urban areas.

As you begin to head into the untamed wilderness, you will come across plenty of bridges depending on which direction you go. There are several wooden bridges including the Sim Smith Bridge, McCallister Covered Bridge, and Bridgeton Covered Bridge. You should eventually arrive at the edge of Turkey Run State Park. 

Distance: 18 miles
Time: 31 minutes
Start: Nashville
End: Nashville

As you start in Nashville, you may want to try sampling the local drinks at Bear Wallow Distillery, Brown County Winery, and Cedar Creek Winery. Check out the Brown County Playhouse to see what kind of show they have prepared. They may be having a live performance, plays, or movies.

You will ride close to the northern tip of Brown County State Park and travel alongside North Fork Salt Creek. As you will largely be traveling through the Indiana open countryside, the geography will alternate between rolling hills and dense forests.

Motorcyclists under the age of 18 or holding a learner’s permit are required to wear a three-quarter or full-face motorcycle helmet .

An approved motorcycle helmet has to provide adequate visibility and protection for both your head and neck. 

Indiana does not explicitly forbid passengers underneath a certain age range from riding with you. It is illegal for minors without protective headgear to be seated behind you on a motorcycle.

Restrict your motorcycle passengers to individuals who can listen and follow directions promptly, will wear protective gear without protest if requested, and can reach the footrests.

Your motorcycle can only be designed to carry two people at a time. But to transport another person, your motorcycle must be equipped with a saddle or sidecar, footrests, and handholds. 

It is never a good idea to continuously ride your motorcycle without at least examining the condition of your vehicle every once in a while. Even if your motorcycle seems fine from the exterior, you never know if the primary components have suffered damage. Providing maintenance wherever your motorcycle needs it will optimize its performance for the duration of your trip.

• Horn

• Wheels

• Tires

• Handlebars

• Front and Rear Brakes

• Controls

• Headlight

• Taillight

• Brake Light

• Exhaust System

• Muffler

• Rearview Mirrors

You are forbidden from lane splitting when traveling through Indiana.

To learn more about Indiana’s motorcycle laws, click the link here. 

The majority of your Indiana motorcycle trip will be spent exploring the winding roads, visiting the local attractions, and stopping at popular destinations. However, for your excursion to be a success, you have to be diligent about the planning process.

If you are an Indiana resident who needs to refresh his/her memory or an out-of-state tourist visiting the region for the first time, it would be best to brush up on Indiana’s motorcycle laws. There may be new regulations regarding motorcycle equipment, safety gear, and rules of the road.

When packing the items you want to bring with you on your Indiana motorcycle trip, make sure that the motorcycle luggage you choose can be securely fitted to the model you own. Carefully arrange your belongings so that they utilize all the space available without exceeding the storage and weight capacity. And before you depart, go over your checklist until you are sure that you are bringing everything you need.

The motorcycle routes discussed in this article are not your only choices. If you conduct further research, you may discover more obscure yet equally thrilling paths your motorcycle can travel on. Just make sure you can handle the difficulty of the terrain and that there are sights you believe are worth visiting.