Spring Savings at Indiana State Park Inns
February 27 through May 26, 2022
Stay two nights and receive 25% off your stay. Valid any day of the week (including weekends). Must stay two consecutive nights. Certain restrictions may apply. Book your stay at Indianainns.com or 1-877-563-4371.
McCormick's Creek State Park
New locations and prizes added to the Indiana State Nature Passport
The Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched the Indiana State Nature Passport last year. To date, more than 17,000 travelers have signed up for the passport. There are 22 new locations to discover, and additional prizes are now available for outdoor adventure-seekers.
The free "digital passport" encourages visitors to discover new places and enjoy the outdoors. Participants sign up online for the passport to receive prizes for visiting multiple parks and properties across the state. Visitors need to check in from their smartphone at one of the designated passport locations to be eligible.
Participants can claim prizes with more visits:
• 10 check-ins, a pair of sunglasses
• 25 check-ins, a water bottle
• 40 check-ins, a hat
• 59 check-ins, a backpack
People who visit all 81 locations, will receive a custom passport completion pin. Those who complete all 81 locations will also qualify for special grand prize giveaways throughout the year.
DNR Fishing and Recreation guidebooks are online
Your guide to Indiana's best values in outdoor recreation is available now at on.IN.gov/recguide.
And your guide to Indiana fishing is available at on.IN.gov/fishingguide.
The DNR’s 2022 Indiana Recreation Guide is the source for information on state parks, state forests, lakes, fish & wildlife areas, nature preserves, state park inns, and other DNR properties.
Soon, free printed copies of each will be available at local retail outlets, state parks, lakes and other DNR properties.
Mark your calendars for 2022 Free Fishing Days
This year's four free fishing days are May 1, June 4-5, and Sept. 24. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout stamp to fish in public waters on these days. Free Fishing Days are a great opportunity to give fishing a try or share fishing with a friend or family member.
Visit DNR at Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Feb. 23-27
The DNR will have a strong presence at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Feb. 23-27, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The DNR's main location is in Tackle Town, in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion. The booth is a convenient one-stop shopping opportunity for licenses, state park passes, lake-use permits, and Outdoor Indiana magazine subscriptions.
DNR biologists and State Parks interpreters and managers will be on hand throughout the show to share program and jobs information and resources, as well as answer your fish and wildlife and parks questions. State Park Inns will have a separate informational booth in the Travel and Tourism area of the show.
Take a guided hike at Donaldson Cave Nature Preserve, April 23
The hike begins at Spring Mill Inn, from there we will walk through a high-quality dry-mesic upland forest with unique plants that thrive in thin, rocky soils. We will pass through a small, unique glade with a wonderful diversity of plants more associated with prairies than with the surrounding forest.
The hike will descend more than 100 wooden steps to the beautiful entrance of Donaldson Cave, where ferns cascade over the limestone cliff. The hike will also go through Donaldson Hollow, a floodplain valley that recently had acres of invasive vinca minor removed, before ascending a small hill to return the inn.
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, April 29-May 1
The annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop is April 29 to May 1 at Ross Camp in West Lafayette.
The workshop is open to women age 18 and older and is limited to 100 participants. Registration begins March 1 at IndianaBOW.com.
The cost for the workshop is $250 and includes equipment, meals and lodging. The program is designed for women to learn outdoor skills in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. Participants will choose four activities from more than two dozen offerings, including fishing, archery, wild edibles, wildlife tracking, shooting muzzleloader guns, outdoor cooking, and more.
Applications for reserved spring turkey hunts open
Indiana DNR is accepting applications for reserved spring turkey hunts through March 14.
Hunters can apply online at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt by clicking "Apply for a reserved hunt" and entering their Customer ID. The online method is the only way to apply. Late entries will not be accepted.
The application process is consolidated into the online services website, on.IN.gov/INHuntFish, along with licenses, CheckIN Game, and HIP registration. You do not need to have an online account to apply, so there is no need to log in.
Learn to Hunt workshops
Spring turkey season starts in April. Are you ready? If you’re interested in hunting turkey, but not sure how to do it, join us for a free workshop:
March 5 – Learn to Hunt: Turkey, Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area
March 5 – Learn to Hunt: Turkey, Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area
March 12 – Learn to Hunt: Turkey, Martinsville
Hunting and fishing licenses expire March 31
Remember, your 2021-22 hunting and fishing licenses expire March 31. Purchase your annual hunting and fishing licenses for 2022-23 now.
Join us for Marsh Madness, Feb. 26
The annual Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane Festival runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 26 and includes a kickoff banquet. This community-based bird festival celebrates the annual spring migration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl to Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area. This event is led by the Friends of Goose Pond through a partnership with the Division of Fish & Wildlife.
Camping season is quickly approaching
Hoping to spend quality time outdoors again? Book a summer camping vacation today. Go online or call 1-866-622-6746 to pick your favorite cabin or campsite. If you look forward to hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, bird-watching, studying history and culture, or just relaxing by a campfire, we have something for everyone.
New Outdoor Indiana features Whitewater Memorial State Park
The March/April issue features Indiana’s 16th state park, located near Liberty in Union County. To read article excerpts, go to OutdoorIndiana.org.
The magazine is available now at most Barnes & Noble stores in Indiana for $4. Subscriptions are $15 for one year and $28 for two years.
Subscribe at innsgifts.com or by calling 317-233-3046.
The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.
