Dugger, IN

Dugger is a quiet, close-knit town in southwestern Indiana with about 800 residents. Its identity is deeply tied to its coal mining heritage, which locals celebrate at the Dugger Coal Museum in the center of town. Right on the edge of town sits Redbird State Recreation Area, a massive 1,400-acre park that transformed former mining land into one of the region's top off-roading spots. Residents and visitors head there on weekends to ride dirt bikes, ATVs, and 4x4s along trails that range from easy scenic paths to rugged hill climbs.

ATTRChris Flook / CC BY-SA 4.0

The town has a resilient spirit and a distinct local character. When the county closed the local public schools years ago, the community came together to keep education in town by opening Dugger Union Community Schools as a public charter. You will also run into quirky pieces of history here, including a rare 1970s French-built Amtrak Turboliner train car tucked away near the center of town. For anyone looking for affordable rural living with plenty of open space and a proud community backbone, Dugger offers a uniquely peaceful lifestyle.