Enjoying Indiana's Natural Beauty

Enjoying Indiana's Natural Beauty

Monday, August 3, 2026

One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of our state is to go outside and experience the many state parks Indiana has to offer.

Thanks to ongoing support from Senate Republicans, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has been hard at work making improvements and creating more experiences for Hoosiers.

The biggest change to the parks this year is the 45 new all-terrain track chairs that will be available free of charge at every Indiana State Park. These vehicles will allow visitors with limited mobility to enjoy the trails and nature.

Improvements have also been made to the Horse Camp site at Brown County State Park, which sustained damage from a tornado last year. The area has been cleaned up, and the restrooms have been fixed. Work continues on electric upgrade plans and the overall site layout.

There have been plenty of other changes to all 25 state parks across Indiana, including new playgrounds, improvements to shelter houses, new areas to view wildlife and so much more. To see changes to the parks in your area, click here.

As summer winds down and we get ready for fall, it's the perfect time to go for a hike or go camping at the many state parks across the state. Click here to see a map of all the parks and nature reserves in Indiana.

The DNR also hosts free fishing days, where Hoosiers can fish without a license or trout/salmon stamp. The last free fishing day of this year will be held Sept. 26.

Finally, the hunting and fishing licenses are now available for the fall season. These licenses can be purchased online, by mail, or through an in-person retailer.