Spanning across both Whitley and Noble Counties is an amazing nature preserve that contains the cleanest lake in Indiana (if not one of the cleanest lakes, anyway). Known as the Crooked Lake Nature Preserve, this incredible little slice of paradise is just waiting to be explored for an afternoon; the lake is not only one of our cleanest, but also one of our deepest, and it's surrounded by absolutely incredible landscape worthy of a whole day of exploration. There are numerous nature preserves in Indiana - this one just so happens to be one of the most amazing.

Crooked Lake Nature Preserve is an absolutely amazing little slice of paradise spanning an impressive 145 acres with a gorgeous lake, an old cemetery, and lots more along the way.

Here, you'll find lots of gorgeous, old-growth woods, awe-inspiring views, and more - you just need to know where to look.

...and we're in luck, because there's plenty to look at on this little adventure.

You'll encounter beautiful forested slopes covered in both sugar and beech maple trees, as well as other species like shagbark hickory and green ash.

As you follow the trail, you'll spot Crooked Lake - one of Indiana's most beautiful natural lakes.

It's incredibly clean and clear, and it goes to an impressive depth: about 108 feet, making it one of our deepest bodies of water as well.

The water is clear and crisp - perfect for a hot afternoon.

With more than a half-mile of gorgeous shoreline to enjoy, this amazing little piece o' heaven makes for an amazingly calm, quiet day out suitable for solo hikers and families alike.

In the spring and summer, wildflowers abound, and in the fall this amazing preserve is lit aflame by stunning color.

The preserve is open year-round, though, so you can visit any time you like. The best time of year to visit is in the summer, I think, but naturally you can show up whenever - it's a pretty low-key place no matter what, but come out during the week and you might just get it all to yourself.

Oh, and fun fact: there's a cemetery from the mid-1800s here, so if you're fascinated by headstones (I am), you'll enjoy reading the headstones.

Overall, this gorgeous nature preserve in Indiana is just waiting for you to come out and enjoy the perfect adventure... will you answer the call?

For more information about this absolutely gorgeous preserve (home to the cleanest lake in Indiana!), be sure to check out the official Crooked Lake Nature Preserve write-up on the Indiana DNR website. For information about the hike around the preserve, check out the official AllTrails page - and if you'd like to crank your hiking game up to the next level, definitely check out AllTrails Plus. I don't know how I hiked without it.

If you're hooked on this amazing little preserve, be sure to visit others - such as Leonard Springs Nature Park.