What’s Happening This October at Indiana State Parks

Fall color just got a little more vibrant at Spring Mill, Clifty Falls, and Shades state parks. These parks have color-blind viewers located at scenic locations for guests to enjoy. The viewers offer some visitors with color-blindness the opportunity to experience a broader range of the park’s stunning colors. While there are many types of color blindness, it’s estimated that one in 12 men and one in 200 women are affected, according to the Journal of the Optical Society of America.

Spring Mill State Park’s color-blind viewer is located on the pier by the Lakeview Activity Center. As the trees around the lake begin to change color, this is a wonderful opportunity to see the bright variety of colors.

Clifty Falls State Park color-blind viewers are located at Lookout Point off the main park road. They overlook Little Clifty Creek and into Clifty Canyon Nature Preserve, offering a wonderful opportunity to see the stunning natural features of this park.

Shades State Park’s viewer can be found at Prospect Point on Trail 1. It offers a wide view overlooking Sugar Creek with an abundance of fall foliage to enjoy.

Thanks to the partners who made these possible: the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, the Emma L. Snyder Charitable Foundation, Friends of Clifty Falls State Park, Lawrence County Tourism, and the Friends of Spring Mill State Park.

Autumn Getaway Events

Fall weekends are packed with festivals, harvest celebrations, and family-friendly activities at parks across the state. From Halloween celebrations to autumn crafts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check the events calendar and plan a day or weekend getaway around your favorite activities.

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Photo courtesy Ashley Kasnick

Fall Kayaking

Enjoy a peaceful paddling trip at Indiana State Parks this fall. Looking for recommendations? We’ve got you covered.

Chain O’Lakes State Park – Described as a small boater’s paradise, this park offers the chance to discover the hidden wonders of its nine connected kettle lakes. Paddlers can also complete the 9 Lake Challenge to earn a sticker.

Deam Lake and Starve Hollow state recreation areas – Camping and kayaking just got a little closer. Enjoy lakeshore campsites on the idyllic, calm waters.

Summit Lake State Park –Spot a variety of wildlife, especially migrating birds, this fall at this park. Paddlers can also complete the 2 Kayak Trail Challenge to earn a sticker.

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Trick-or-Treat, not Trick-or-Trash!

Remember, when trick-or-treating in a campground or park, leave no trace this Halloween. Carry out candy wrappers, trash, and decorations!

Pro-tip: Carry a bag while you hike and pick up any litter you find!

Thank you for keeping our parks clean!

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Indiana Dunes Centennial Celebration

In September, Indiana Dunes State Park celebrated its 100th anniversary. The park unveiled a new interpretive centennial sign sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes that showcases the history of the park’s beginnings. They also recognized long-time staff members Doug Sutherland (40 years), Steven Brooks (30 years), and Michael Buchiet (30 years), who combined have 100 years of service.

With 2,182 acres and a wide variety of pristine habitats, including towering sand dunes, black oak forest, wooded wetlands, a buttonbush marsh, and more than 3 miles of beautiful beach along Lake Michigan’s southern shore, the park provides incredible diversity in natural resources.

It’s no wonder that in the early 1900s, scientists, recreationists, nature enthusiasts, and Col. Richard Lieber, father of Indiana State Parks, recognized the value and potential of the area and fought to have it preserved.

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Spooky Nature Names

Wow your friends and family with some spooky facts about some hauntingly spooky named wildlife this October.

Witches’ Butter

Witches’ butter is the common name that refers to the yellow varieties of jelly fungus. Like all fungus, it serves a vital role as a decomposer, feeding off decaying materials on the forest floor. Photo courtesy Jeremy Proeschel.

Halloween Pennant

The Halloween pennant is a dragonfly that gets its name from its shiny amber brown body and orange/amber wings with dark brown bands marking them. Photo courtesy Jeff Danielson

A Murder

A group of crows is called a murder. American crows are a familiar year-round bird here in Indiana. Photo courtesy Jeff Danielson.

Fall Camping

Nothing says fall in Indiana like a cozy campsite surrounded by vibrant colors. Whether you prefer tent camping under the stars, full hook-up RV sites, or a warm cabin in the woods, fall is the perfect time to experience crisp mornings, campfire nights, and breathtaking foliage. Campsites and cabins book fast during peak color season, so reserve yours today and create memories naturally.

Prophetstown Trail of Scarecrows

Visit Prophetstown State Park this October to enjoy the 16th Annual Trail of Scarecrows. Open daily during park hours, you can see creative scarecrow creations along the park's paved accessible trail from Prairie View Picnic Area to the Aquatic Center.

You can even vote for your favorite scarecrows by making donations to the Interpretive Services Fund for Education, Arts, Culture, and History Programs at Prophetstown State Park.

By donating $1, park guests can cast one vote for their favorite scarecrow. You can pick up and drop off ballots at the park's main gate or Visitors Center. Prizes are awarded for the most votes, so spread the word to vote for your favorite scarecrows.

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