State park trails sweep ‘Best of Indiana’ contest
State park trails swept all 10 places in the Indiana Office of Tourism Development’s 2019 Best of Indiana people’s choice campaign for best hiking trails.
Turkey Run State Park took the top two spots. Its Ladders Trail took first. Trail 2, which goes along the Lusk Earth Fill as well as along cliffs, took second. Trail 2 at Clifty Falls State Park, which traverses Clifty Creek, took third.
State park holiday gift packs are now available
Don’t know what to buy for the person who has everything? Giving a holiday gift pack from the DNR may be your solution.
It’s a gift the recipient can use the whole year, saving you $31 compared to what the items would sell for separately.
Whether that person enjoys camping outdoors or sleeping in the comfort of one of seven Indiana State Park Inns, the gift pack is sure to please.
The $99 gift pack includes a 2020 resident annual entrance permit, a one-year subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine, and one of two $65 gift card options. There’s a $65 gift card that can be used at the campgrounds — or for those who like to enjoy nature from the comfort of the indoors, a $65 State Park Inns gift card. There’s also an option to upgrade the gift card to $100 for $35 more.
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 #OptOutside with DNR on Black Friday
Tired of spending Black Friday in shopping malls?
“Opt Outside” on Nov. 29, "Black Friday," and get free admission to any DNR property that charges a gate fee on that day. You can also get 20% off a meal at an Indiana State Park inn or lodge restaurant on Black Friday – just tell the host or hostess that you are “opting outside.”
You also can be entered in drawings for DNR annual passes, lake permits, Smokey Bear materials, gift cards and DNR staff-led outdoor experiences, among other items, just by choosing to #optoutside at a DNR property.
 Santa and the Grinch are coming to town
Check out where to find them and join us for some great memories.
- Turkey Run Inn, Grinch, Dec. 7
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Potawatomi Inn, Santa, Dec. 8
- Canyon Inn, Santa, Dec. 14
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Clifty Inn, Santa, Dec. 21
- Fort Harrison State Park Inn, Santa Brunch, Dec. 21
Need a stocking stuffer?
Why not buy one that makes a difference? Purchase a limited-edition tree shirt and help reforest Indiana. Each tree shirt sale = two trees planted.
For each shirt sold, the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation will partner with the Division of Forestry to plant two trees in an Indiana state forest.
Along with each shirt, you will receive an official tree certificate with a unique tree ID and the coordinates for the acre where the tree will be planted.
The Indiana Tree Project is a joint effort between the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation; the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, and the citizens of Indiana.
Your family and friends may also appreciate having a tree planted in their honor.
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Free workshop for teachers
Indiana Project Learning Tree will begin accepting applications for the 2020 Natural Resources Teacher Institute on Dec. 1.
This is a multi-day professional development workshop from June 22-26 that will bring up to 18 teachers from across the state to Morgan-Monroe State Forest to see firsthand how forestry works in Indiana.
Check out the Inns during our annual winter special
Get two nights for the price of one at an Indiana State Park Inn this winter. Now through Feb. 27, 2020, stay two consecutive nights and your second night is free.
Sunday - Thursday only. Blackout period Dec. 22 - Jan. 2, 2020. Certain restrictions apply. Visit IndianaInns.com or call 1-877-LODGES1 to make your reservation today.
 Giving access to adventure
Have you ever wondered how individuals living with disabilities are able to freely experience nature?
Read Ryann’s story about her chance to use an all-terrain power chair at Charlestown State Park.
All-terrain chairs are also available at Indiana Dunes, Chain O’Lakes, Fort Harrison, McCormick’s Creek, Mounds, O’Bannon Woods, Pokagon, and Spring Mill state parks.
2020 DNR state park permits available
Annual entrance permits, horse tags, off-road cycling permits and lake permits for 2020 are now on sale at DNR Division of State Parks property offices. These passes and permits make great holiday gifts for outdoor lovers and are a great gift to yourself, too.
 There’s still time to harvest a deer
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If you weren't able to fill the freezer for Thanksgiving weekend, don’t worry – there’s still time. Deer firearms season ends Dec. 1 and muzzleloader season opens Dec. 7. The special antlerless season opens Dec. 26.
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Build fish habitat structures at Patoka Lake
Help DNR improve fish habitat at Patoka Lake during a volunteer habitat structure build day.
The pallet structure build will take place from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 7. Registration is required.
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 Learn to hunt this winter
Get outside and join us for a hunt. Check out our upcoming workshops:
Dec. 7 – Women’s Pheasant Hunt, Pigeon River FWA
Dec. 8 – Adult Pheasant Hunt, Pigeon River FWA
Dec. 14 – Learn to Hunt: Rabbit Workshop, Kingsbury FWA
Get your outdoor lover Outdoor Indiana
Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine to see the Hoosier state as you’ve never seen it before. View excerpts of the November/December issue.
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The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.
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