We Hoosiers love being outside and enjoying all our beautiful state has to offer - from the mighty dunes of Lake Michigan to forested banks of the Ohio River, and everything in between - all year round. And there are few better ways to immerse yourself in the Hoosier State's bounty of natural beauty than camping. There are even many places where you can camp throughout the year, including several state parks. My personal favorite place for year-round camping in Indiana is at Pokagon State Park, near Angola, IN.

Pokagon offers an excellent balance of both nature and civilization for folks who want to feel like they're getting away from it all - without being too far away from it all. In the summer, campers can cool off at the park's swimming beach and bathhouse, paddle the park's lakes, or enjoy a day of boating or fishing. Spring and fall bring the seasonal changes that we all love to see, from blossoming wildflowers to fiery fall foliage.

When winter rolls around, Pokagon State Park takes on a whole new mien and becomes a veritable cold weather wonderland. Visitors enjoy ice fishing, sledding, cross-country skiing (rentals available in the park), and speeding down a twin-track, refrigerated toboggan run. Campground Three also remains open through the winter. Drinking water is available year-round, as is one heated comfort station.

The park's 13 miles of trails are also open year-round. AllTrails Plus offers comprehensive coverage of the trail system, as well as downloadable maps for the parts of the park with spotty cell coverage. When there's insufficient snow cover, all the trails are open to hiking. During snowy months, a portion of the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing, but you can hike or snowshoe on the remaining trails.

If you enjoy year-round camping in Indiana, I don't think you can do much better than Pokagon State Park. Daily entrance fees are $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents; annual entrance passes are $50 and $70, respectively. Camping fees vary by type of site and equipment. Visit the park's page on the Indiana DNR website for more information on camping or to make a reservation. The DNR also has a page listing all the state parks with campgrounds that are open throughout the year. Folks who are winter camping curious, or who have yet to try it, will find all the gear they'll need at REI. What's your favorite season to camp at Pokagon State Park? Tell us about your favorite year-round camping spots in Indiana on our nominations page.