Shop the official store of Indiana State Parks
Tired of the holiday shopping chaos? Consider getting the outdoor lover on your shopping list a gift from the Indiana State Parks online store. There you will find gifts, clothing, passes, gift cards, and, of course, the Holiday Gift Pack.
 Winter 2-for-1 savings at State Park Inns
Nov. 26 - Feb. 29, 2024
Stay two nights, Sunday - Thursday, and your second night is free. Must stay two consecutive nights. Blackout dates Dec. 24 - Jan. 4, 2024. Certain restrictions may apply.
 Holiday light shows at six DNR properties
Six DNR destinations will have holiday light shows this December.
 Toboggan run now open at Pokagon State Park
Get ready to ride — Pokagon State Park’s toboggan run is now open.
Riders drop 90 feet over the distance of a quarter-mile in this exciting thrill ride.
 Save with the 2024 Holiday Gift Pack
The $99 State Park Holiday Gift Pack includes:
- A 2024 Indiana resident State Park Annual Entrance Pass.
- A $65 gift card (you choose either an Inns card for hotel lodging or a Camp card for site reservations).
- A 1-year (6 issue) subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine.
All for just $99. You save $31.
Offer ends Dec. 31 or when sold out. Limited quantity available.
Holiday Gift Packs are also available for seniors and nonresidents.
DNR seeks nominations for Trails Advisory Board
The DNR seeks nominations of passionate outdoor recreation enthusiasts to serve on the Indiana Trails Advisory Board (TAB).
Representatives are needed from the following trail groups: bicyclists, health, off-road motorcyclists, parks and recreation agencies, and water trail users.
Nominees should be involved with a regional or statewide organization, club, or association related to the group they would represent. Selected board members would serve a three-year term starting March 2024 and attend quarterly meetings in various locations around the state.
 Hunting seasons in December
Deer Muzzleloader: Dec. 9–24
Wild Turkey Fall Archery: Dec. 2, 2023–Jan. 7, 2024
Pheasant (Cock only): Closes Dec. 15
Dove: Dec. 16, 2023–Jan. 3, 2024
Crow: Dec. 13, 2023–March 1, 2024
Snipe: Closes Dec. 16
Quail (north of Interstate 74): Closes Dec. 15
Quail (south of Interstate 74): Closes Jan. 10, 2024
Ducks (North Zone): Closes Dec. 17, reopens Dec. 26, 2023–Jan. 3. 2024
Ducks (South Zone): Dec. 2, 2023–Jan. 28, 2024
Help feed hungry Hoosiers
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Donate your harvested deer to feed hungry Hoosiers. One donated deer can provide 200 meals for a Hoosier family.
- Enjoy a deer hunting experience.
- Harvest a deer.
- Drop off the field-dressed deer at a local participating processor.
- Processing fees are paid for by Hunt for Hunger (no cost to you).
- The processor creates healthy venison burgers to distribute to food banks.
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 2023’s wildlife success stories
In 2023, we saw wildlife wins for many rare and endangered species. We discovered a very young hellbender salamander in the Blue River and increased public awareness and interest in bat conservation. We discovered a banded pygmy sunfish at Twin Swamps Nature Preserve and doubled the number of active barn owl nests from five years ago.
We’re planning for more success in 2024, but our biologists can’t do this work alone. To continue making strides toward safeguarding Indiana’s rare and endangered wildlife for generations to come, we need your support. You can subscribe to the Nongame Wildlife Fund Newsletter; share our stories on social media; volunteer for the DNR; or donate directly to the Nongame Wildlife Fund.
For every $50 given to the Nongame Wildlife Fund, an additional $43 is unlocked in federal funding, making every dollar you donate go even further for Indiana’s wildlife conservation.
 DNR dedicates new public land in Noble County
Gov. Eric Holcomb recently joined the DNR and partners to celebrate the addition of 158 acres of upland prairie and wetland to Mallard Roost Wetland Conservation Area (WCA) in Noble County.
The new property, named the Buchanan Unit of Mallard Roost WCA, was made possible by partnership between the DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation with significant support from donors and the Next Level Conservation Trust program.
This property conserves prime wildlife habitat near the south branch of the Elkhart River and provides additional public land for hunting, trapping, and fishing in northeast Indiana. The property will open to the public in spring of 2024. Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area, which manages Mallard Roost WCA, is currently restoring upland bird habitat on the Buchanan Unit and plans to add a parking area before opening the property.
 Falls of the Ohio State Park opens outdoor classroom
Falls of the Ohio State Park has opened a new outdoor classroom off the park’s Woodland Loop Trail.
The classroom was designed to create a dedicated space for learning in a natural environment to connect guests, school groups, and others to the Falls of the Ohio’s unique landscape and historical significance.
 3,000 trees planted at Prophetstown State Park
Volunteers from Huston Solar recently joined the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), alongside staff from Indiana State Parks and the Division of Forestry, to support forest growth as part of the Indiana Tree Project. The park provided an ideal location for Huston Solar's second planting day because the 3,000 trees they planted support property staff's ongoing efforts to restore oak savanna habitat in the area.
“Huston Solar pledged to plant one tree for every kilowatt we install of solar,” said Matt Huston, president of Huston Electric. “We will continue to support the Indiana Tree Project as long as we are installing solar in Indiana, and that doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.”
Years from now, the volunteers will be able to return to the planting site and see the impact of their work. While the site is currently lined with saplings, those trees will continue to grow, supporting Indiana’s natural legacy for generations to come.
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 Wrapping up Kankakee FWA’s 100th anniversary celebration
In early November, volunteers planted 100 sapling trees at Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) to support its forest habitat. This tree planting completed a year of celebrating Kankakee FWA’s 100th anniversary.
Throughout the year, visitors and Kankakee FWA staff have been marking the milestone with stories of the FWA's history as well as opportunities to enjoy this unique area in Starke County. The wetlands, riparian forests, and 11 miles of the Kankakee and Yellow rivers make for excellent birding and are a popular spot for waterfowl hunting.
The oak saplings that were planted will help Kankakee FWA continue to provide habitat and outdoor opportunities for the future. Thank you to the volunteers who came out and contributed to the next 100 years of conservation.
 Help Reforest Indiana
With each Tree Shirt purchase, one tree will be planted in an Indiana State Forest as part of the Indiana Tree Project. Along with your shirt, you will receive an official tree certificate with information on where your tree will be planted.
Get your outdoor lover Outdoor Indiana
A subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine gives the recipient a chance to see the Hoosier State as they’ve never seen it before. View excerpts of the November/December issue. Remember to subscribe for yourself, too.
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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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