Bring your thrill seekers to Southern Indiana for chills and thrills! From roller coasters and zip lines to underground caving and off-roading, so many adventures await you. With naturally rocky and rollin’ terrain, Southern Indiana is a thrill seeker’s playground. Read about what we have in store for you!
Roller Coasters
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is located in the town of Santa Claus and has six roller coasters plus three water coasters. The Good Gravy! Family Coaster is a family-friendly 1,500-foot ride to save Thanksgiving dinner. With a max speed of 37 mph and a 38” minimum height, the whole family will love this one! Another mild ride roller coaster is The Howler that requires a minimum height of 36” to ride with a companion.
The Legend wooden roller coaster is based on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It features a dramatic 113-foot drop and is known for its lateral g-forces. Another wooden coaster is The Raven, a fan favorite due to its low swoop over Lake Rudolph. It features a 120-foot tunnel with drops of 85 and 61 feet.
The third wooden roller coaster is The Voyage which provides a feeling of weightlessness for nearly 25 seconds. It has one of the steepest drops on any wooden roller coaster in the world and is one of the world’s longest wooden coasters. Thunderbird speeds from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds! With multiple steel loops, rolls, twists, and turns, it is America’s first launched wing coaster.
In Splashin’ Safari, Cheetah Chase Water Coaster is the world’s first launched Water coaster that thrusts, twists, turns, and drops. Two additional water coasters include the Mammoth and the Wildebeest.
Zip Lining
Experience what it feels like to fly! Squire Boone Caverns Zipline Adventures in Mauckport includes two separate courses with the longest line in the region. The canopy course consists of six lines and one bridge for a total length of 2,800 feet. The long course has eight lines and two bridges for a total course of 7,200 feet! They have the perfect zips for ages 3 and up.
Wilstem Wildlife Park in Paoli offers zip lining on a 5,000 foot, 9-line canopy tour. Weight requirements are 70 – 250 lbs. Tours must be scheduled in advance and will last 1-2 hours.
At Indiana Caverns near Corydon, you can experience the unique Bat Chaser attraction which combines zip lining with a steel rail coaster. Thrill seekers will also love The Plunge which drops participants on 50 foot plummet!
Cave Exploration
Southern Indiana’s topography is rocky and hilly which is an environment that results in cave and cavern formations. You don’t have to be an experienced spelunker to explore them either. Here are several to explore a short drive away.
Bluespring Caverns Park in Bedford is a constant 52 degrees underground. Schedule a tour-guided boat ride on America’s longest navigable underground river. Discover rare cave creatures and incredible cave formations. For the truly adventurous, check out their kayak adventure tours and overnight expeditions.
Close to the southern Indiana border in Corydon, explore Indiana Caverns, Indiana’s longest cave! Guided tours are 75 minutes and includes a boat ride, underground waterfall, cave formations, and even ice age bones! Here you will venture underground and see real evidence of sabertooth tigers. For even more adventure, try the 4-hour Deep Darkness Tour.
Squire Boone Caverns & Village in Mauckport offers one-hour guided walking tours through twists and turns underground. See dramatic stalactites and stalagmites and an incredible underground waterfall. Above ground, experience a pioneer village demonstrating soap making, candle dipping, and gemstone mining.
Water Fun
Patoka Lake in Birdseye is an 8,800-acre lake with 17,000 acres of surrounding land. With a lake this large, the water fun is seemingly endless. No boat? No problem! There are several local places where you can rent a kayak, paddle board, fishing boat, jet ski, or pontoon with a slide! Don’t forget to bring your fishing gear, too! There are lots of unique places to stay in the area including cabins, houseboats, a converted silo, or a floating cabin right on the lake.
For a truly relaxing adventure, explore the Blue River on a kayak, canoe, or paddle board with Cave Country Canoes in Milltown. Pick from half day trips, full day trips, special event trips, and camping experiences.
And of course don’t miss our incredible waterparks in Southern Indiana! Experience award-winning water rides at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, or test your skills on the football field-sized floating obstacle course at Old Ben Adventure Park in Winslow. Check out Southern Indiana’s best water parks here.
Karting
French Lick West Baden Indoor Karting offers indoor fun-filled adventures for everyone. Bounce houses keep the little ones entertained while the older kids and adults zoom on a Grand-Prix-style racetrack. Satisfy your need for speed in French Lick West Baden!
ATV/UTV Riding
Speed and excitement await you just northwest of Bedford in Springville, Indiana. With 400 acres of off-roading fun, make plans to ride at the Lawrence County Recreational Park. Trails range from wet and rugged to flat and fast. Bring your own motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. A full-service primitive and RV campground is on site, providing days of two-wheel and four-wheel action!
In Southwest Indiana, check out Interlake Off-Road State Recreation Area in Lynnville. Interlake spans approximately 3,550 acres with nearly 100 miles of multi-use recreational facility focusing on off-road vehicles. All vehicle types are welcome, including jeeps, trucks, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and more.
Snow Skiing and Tubing
Paoli Peaks is a premier winter destination for thrilling winter downhill adventures. With 65 acres of skiable terrain and 15 trails catering to various skill levels, Paoli Peaks is renowned for its excellent skiing, tubing, and snowboarding facilities. With well-maintained runs, chairlifts and surface lifts, and state-of-the-art snowmaking capabilities, you’ll find a satisfying and challenging skiing experience right here in Indiana! Beyond the slopes, Paoli Peaks provides a welcoming atmosphere with amenities like cozy day lodges, equipment rentals, and professional instruction, making it an ideal snowy adventure destination for novices or experienced downhillers. Driving to Paoli is easy, just two hours south of Indianapolis and one hour north of Louisville.
Choose your action-packed THRILLS in Southern Indiana. We’ve got heart-pounding excitement for every interest and ability just a short drive away.
Check out even more outdoor adventures in Southern Indiana here!
