GET OUTDOORS INDIANA

Indiana State Park Inn summer lodging savings

Stay two nights, and receive 25% off your stay May 29 through Aug. 31, 2023. Valid Sunday through Thursday only. Must stay two consecutive nights. Certain property specific restrictions may apply.

Reserve today by calling 1.877.LODGES1 or reserve at IndianaInns.com.

Get your summer passes

To visit state parks regularly or to launch your boat in DNR waters, get your yearly permits now.

We have available for purchase online:

• Annual state park entrance permit
• Golden Hoosier entrance permit
• Motorized lake permit
• Non-motorized lake permit
• Annual horse tag
• Off-road cycling permit

Need a summer job?

Looking for a summer job that gets you out into nature? We’re hiring seasonal staff for this recreation season at State Parks and Fish & Wildlife areas. Some of the available jobs include labor/property workers, lifeguards, gate attendants, naturalist aides, office help and more. Apply at http://on.IN.gov/dnrjobs.

Indiana State Park Inns are also hiring for an assortment of jobs. Find out more at Indianainnsjobs.com.

Explore Indiana and earn prizes

Indiana is home to many unique and remarkable natural features. From state parks to forests and lakes, this passport includes more than 80 outdoor locations to explore. It’s free to sign up. All you need to do is check in to one of the passport locations, and you will be on your way to earning prizes. The more you visit, the more you win.

National Fishing and Boating Week and Free Fishing Days

Celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, June 3-11, with a fishing trip. What better way to celebrate than taking your family, friends, and neighbors out on the water? Indiana residents who fish on June 3-4 don’t need a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp to fish on state waters, as these days are Free Fishing Days.

Keep in mind that all other rules such as seasons, bag, and size limits still apply on Free Fishing Days. Explore the outdoors today.

Gov. Holcomb announces fourth round of Next Level Trails at Elkhart trail celebration

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb recently announced details for the fourth round of the Next Level Trails (NLT) grant program, which will dedicate an additional $30 million to connect communities through more hiking, biking, and riding trails across the state.

To date, NLT has awarded $150 million to 75 projects across the state.

The fourth round will award up to $22.5 million to regional projects and up to $7.5 million to local projects.

DNR seeks State Fair Fishin’ Pond volunteers

As you’re planning for the summer, remember to add volunteering at the DNR State Fair Fishin’ Pond to your calendar. DNR is seeking volunteers to help ensure the Fishin’ Pond runs smoothly. With four different volunteer positions available, we have the perfect opportunity for you. Come mentor the next generation of anglers.

2023-24 Migratory bird hunting seasons announced

Indiana’s migratory bird hunting seasons for 2023-24 have been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The hunting seasons include those for mourning dove, waterfowl (i.e., ducks, coots, mergansers, and geese), woodcock, snipe, and sora rails.

Grants available for field trips to state parks, lakes

Educators interested in taking K-12 students on field trips to an Indiana state park or state-managed lake in the 2023-24 school year can receive financial help through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF).

Grants from the Discover the Outdoors fund are available for all school types.

Since the grant program’s inception in 2013, 174 school grants have been awarded, providing the financial opportunity for more than 18,000 students to visit state parks.

Wearing a life jacket could save your loved ones life

Wearing a life jacket could prevent most loss of life tragedies that happen in the water.

A large percentage of drowning victims are over the age of 20. Life jackets are for everyone.

DNR encourages everyone to learn to swim, but a life jacket is still the best option to prevent drowning.

Let’s all work together for a safe and enjoyable summer and pass the word to Wear It Indiana!

Indiana Tree Project continues growing Indiana’s forests

Volunteers from Clif Bar recently joined the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation and the Division of Forestry to plant 2,500 trees in Greene-Sullivan State Forest. The Indiana Tree Project planting, completed in celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, continued a strong relationship between the groups.

Clif Bar’s support of the Indiana Tree Project and the INRF began in 2019 and since then has featured five planting days, 20,000 new trees, and many hours of volunteering on Indiana’s public lands.

(From left) Robert Wrenn barn, Monroe County; Anja Martin 1st Pres Church, Goshen; Amanda Bennett-Cole, City Methodist, Gary

DNR announces winners of historic photo contest

The DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology has announced the winners of its annual Historic Preservation Month photo contest.

Full slate of activities now open at McCormick’s Creek State Park

The activities and buildings that closed on March 31 due to storm damage have reopened.

• Canyon Inn – open for lodging, dining, and group use. More info
• Cabins – Family cabins, Camp McCormick, and Camp NaWaKwa are open and available for rental. More info
• Nature Center – open with interpretive programming.
• Saddle Barn – open and ready to welcome riders. More info
• Shelters – Shelters and recreation buildings are open for picnicking, reunions, etc., except for Beech Grove Shelter and Friendly Recreation Building. More info
• Activities – Guests can climb the fire tower, see the falls, and visit the Peden Farmstead and the spring house on open trails.
• Wildflowers – are still popping, and it’s a great time to enjoy birds along open trails, at the Nature Center feeders, and from Canyon Inn’s dining room.
• Accessibility Chairs – There are two at the Nature Center. One is motorized and can be used on paved surfaces and level, hard-packed soil. The second is hand-powered.
• Swimming – The public pool opens Memorial Day weekend.

Attention Father’s Day Shoppers

Dad wants Outdoor Indiana magazine. Buy him a gift subscription or get one for yourself at shopINstateparks.com. View excerpts of the May-June issue at OutdoorIndiana.org.

The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.