Shop the official Indiana State Parks store
Skip the holiday shopping stress and give the gift of the great outdoors. The Indiana State Parks online store has something for every nature enthusiast, unique gifts, cozy clothing, annual passes, gift cards, and the popular Holiday Gift Pack.
Save with the 2026 Holiday Gift Pack
The $102.99 State Park Holiday Gift Pack includes:
- A 2026 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 one-year (four issue) subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine.
Offer ends Dec. 31 or when sold out. Limited quantity available. Holiday Gift Packs are also available for seniors and nonresidents.
Winter 2-for-1 savings at State Park Inns
Nov. 30, 2025 - Feb. 26, 2026
Stay two nights, Sunday - Thursday, and your second night is free. Must stay two consecutive nights. Blackout dates are Dec. 21, 2025 - Jan. 1, 2026. Certain restrictions may apply.
Lincoln Amphitheatre expansion receives award
The expansion added two 250-seat areas as well as two patios that allow the selling of 200 additional tickets for each event, increasing overall capacity from 1,500 to 2,200.
The project also included a new restroom building, conversion of the old gift shop/museum building into the new alcohol sales building, and a remodel of the concessions building. New siding and roofs were installed on all buildings in the complex, and a new patio and a picnic area with overhead lighting were added.
Last month, Seufert Construction won the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana and Kentucky’s Excellence in Construction Award of Merit for its work to expand Lincoln Amphitheatre.
The amphitheatre is in Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City.
Black powder traditions
Deer muzzleloader season runs from Dec. 6 - 21, offering hunters a chance to step back in time and embrace the heritage of traditional black powder hunting.
This season honors methods passed down from generations, when hunters relied on the skill and patience demanded by a single-shot firearm. Unlike modern rifles, muzzleloaders present unique challenges. Their range is shorter, and reloading takes time. It's these challenges that make the experience so rewarding.
A full list of season dates, bag limits, and legal equipment can be found in the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide.
Toboggan run at Pokagon State Park opening soon
Get ready to ride! Pokagon State Park’s toboggan run opens Friday, Nov. 28. Riders drop 90 feet over the distance of a quarter-mile in this exciting thrill ride. Watch the video above to get a taste of what you're in for.
Holiday light displays to shine at five DNR properties
Holiday light shows are coming soon to five DNR destinations, so make plans to visit.
- Ouabache State Park: Nov. 28–Dec. 25, from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Mounds State Park: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Nov. 28–Dec. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Spring Mill State Park: Dec. 5–6 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
- Lieber State Recreation Area: Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Versailles State Park: Dec. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Smallmouth bass fishing this winter
Don’t let colder days fool you into hanging up your fishing rods. The winter months still offer great opportunities to catch smallmouth bass.
When the water temperatures drop, the metabolism of smallmouth slows down, and the fish head for deeper water with slow current to spend the winter. To target them, get out on your favorite river and search for slow, deep water (somewhere in the 15-foot range). Dark colored jigs or Texas-style worm soft baits can be used to target them. Smallmouth bass usually winter in schools, so if you find one, there’s a good chance more are close by.
To find a good river for targeting smallmouth bass, check out our online Where to Fish map.
Christmas Eve meal at Indiana State Park Inns
Join us for a festive holiday meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at one of these charming inns and lodges:
- Abe Martin Lodge
- Canyon Inn
- Clifty Inn
- Potawatomi Inn
- Spring Mill Inn
- Turkey Run Inn
Adults: $36.99 | Children (ages 4–10): $17.99
Reservations are required by calling 877-LODGES1. Secure your spot early to enjoy this special holiday tradition.
Indiana Natural Resources Foundation fall newsletter
The INRF celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds for the Indiana DNR and its programs. With the generosity of donors and partners, the INRF helps the DNR expand Indiana’s forests, give outdoor education experiences to Hoosier youth, create new outdoor recreation opportunities, and more.
In the annual INRF fall newsletter, you can learn more about some of these special programs and how you can support Indiana’s natural legacy.
It's always a good time to donate
Whether it’s Giving Tuesday, a regular Tuesday, or any other day, Indiana's rare and endangered species benefit from donations.
This past year, generous donors to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund provided critical funding for projects that protect some of our state's rarest species. Projects included rearing and releasing more than 900 state-endangered crawfish frogs, partnering with the National Parks Service to improve freshwater mussel populations, researching recently released Franklin’s ground squirrels, and surveying rare bird and bat populations. These projects are a small sample of what a gift to the Nongame Wildlife Fund supports.
For every $50 donated, Indiana receives $143 for conservation thanks to federal grants. Generous donors like you make our efforts to protect Indiana’s biodiversity possible. Contribute today by donating to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Outdoor Indiana features 2026 calendar, earthworks
Outdoor Indiana magazine’s winter issue features the 2026 calendar, including a shot of the northern lights over Indiana Dunes State Park, as shown on the cover. The issue also includes a feature on Indiana’s many earthworks, some of which you can see at Mounds State Park.
The Winter issue will be available in mid-December at Indiana State Park Inns across the state for $4. Save money by subscribing for $15 for one year or $28 for two years at ShopINStateParks.com or 317-233-3046. You can also save money by getting Outdoor Indiana as part of your Holiday Gift Pack using either method.
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