Indianola Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Indianola Park was a popular amusement park located in Indianola, Indiana, in the early 1900s.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Today, the area is a charming historical site that draws visitors from around the country. One of the top reasons to visit Indianola Park is to experience its rich history. The park was established in 1903 and was open until the 1940s when it closed due to the Second World War. The park's carousel and bandstand are among the most popular attractions.

Visitors to Indianola Park can explore the park's history through a variety of exhibits and interpretive materials. You can take a walking tour of the park, which includes stops at the carousel, bandstand, and other historical landmarks. The park also offers a range of activities throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and special events.

The park's carousel is a particularly interesting attraction, as it is one of the oldest surviving carousels in the United States. It was built in 1903 and features hand-carved horses and other animals. The carousel was restored in the 1980s and is now a National Historic Landmark.

Indianola Park is also home to a number of other notable landmarks, including the park's original entrance gates, which date back to 1910. The park's bandstand is another popular attraction, and visitors can enjoy live music and other performances throughout the year.

The best time of year to visit Indianola Park depends on the visitor's interests. If you're interested in history, the park is a great place to visit year-round. The park's carousel is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and visitors can enjoy a ride on this historic attraction during the summer months. The park also hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year, so be sure to check the park's calendar of events before you plan your visit.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks