Indiana is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated states in the country. People hear its name and think "flyover state" when really they ought to be thinking something a little more like "opportunity state", especially if they're a lover of the outdoors. Indiana is filled top-to-bottom with incredible things to do, see, and experience, and one of my favorite ways of doing this is undoubtedly the old-school road trip. Take, for example, U.S. Route 12, a scenic drive in Indiana that runs right through the state (and a couple of others) and offers some truly jaw-dropping views of Lake Michigan and other wonders.

US Route 12, also known as the Dunes Highway, with the first part of the trip leading through industrial areas and neighborhoods from East Chicago to Gary.

Gary does not have the best reputation, and understandably so - but for those of us who find strange beauty in urban decay, Gary, Indiana is a playground.

You might want to consider getting a permit from the city and exploring some of its most famous abandoned places.

The old City Methodist Church, pictured above, is definitely a fan favorite for photographers and explorers alike.

The next most notable must-stop spot on the drive is the utterly incredible Indiana Dunes National Park, from which the highway gets its "Dunes Highway" nickname.

Route 12 will lead you through Miller Beach before entering the park, where you can make an entire day or more out of everything there is to see and do.

The road will leave the park briefly, only to return again by meandering through the beautiful little town of Beverly Shores.

Fun fact: Beverly Shores is a wonderful dark sky city in Indiana with incredible stargazing opportunities on top of being outrageously photogenic itself. Why do this drive all in one day when you can experience everything it has to offer over multiple days?

While in Beverly Shores, you'll want to check out the intriguing and unique Century of Progress Architectural District.

Here, you'll find five incredibly unique homes originally built for the Chicago World's Faire in the early 1930s. Built in Chicago for the festival and then moved to Beverly Shores, these homes are amazingly ahead of their time (and fun to take pictures of).

Beverly Shores will then meander into Michigan City, which is famous for its ridiculously photogenic lighthouse right on Lake Michigan.

It looks and feels remarkably like the ocean here, and you might just forget you're actually landlocked for a little while. This is probably my favorite part of the entire drive; it's just so serene, and it's truly refreshing for the soul.

Other points of interest along the route include the town of LaPorte, where you'll find a very photogenic round barn that belongs in a painting.

What other places, things, and people will you encounter along the way? I guess it's up to you!

For a birds-eye view of the route in Indiana specifically, check out this handy-dandy map. Do you have any favorite scenic drives in Indiana? Let me know about them in the comments! Need to know what to pack for this one? Check out our very own super helpful road trip packing guide!