You are invited and welcomed!
Indiana’s public lands belong to us all as Hoosiers. We invite and welcome you to visit a DNR property – to get outdoors, explore, and find an experience that’s right for you. New to outdoor recreation? Check out the Getting Started guide below!
Getting Started
Choose your outdoor adventure:
- Day Trips
Did you know there is a DNR property located within an hour’s drive from every Hoosier? These pockets of nature are places you can enjoy quality family time grilling and cooking out, hiking beautiful trails, and spending time in nature.
Where to Start?
- Get an Indiana Rec Guide – the one-stop guide to Indiana outdoors can be picked up at any of our property offices or mailed to you directly.
- Explore the online DNR Location Map to find a property near you.
- Look for places to hike, ride or kayak.
- Follow us on social media to learn about properties and upcoming events.
What to Expect?
- Gate Fees – At some DNR properties (parks, lakes, and forests) a daily entrance fee may be required. The daily fee allows one whole carload of guests or two motorcycles entrance to the property for the day. Cash or card accepted. The usual daily rate is $7 for Indiana resident vehicles; however, some exceptions apply.
- Annual Pass – Want to go exploring throughout the year? You can purchase an annual entrance pass, which will allow one carload of guests or two motorcycles into any DNR property with a gate fee for a whole year. You can buy a pass online, when you drive up to the gatehouse, or at a property office. The pass is a physical card that will need to be present to enter the property.
- Accessibility – Many DNR properties offer accessible trails and restrooms. View the recreation guide for a complete list. Motorized chairs are also available at several locations.
Got Questions?
- Grab a property map online, at the gate or in the office or nature center. The map will detail fun things to do at the property and how to locate them.
- Our friendly staff are ready to answer your questions. Stop by the property offices or give them a call. All office numbers are listed on individual property pages.
- Need a quick guide? Download the DNR App for information at your fingertips.
- Overnight Stays
Want to do everything you can in a day trip, but stay a little longer? We have overnight options for you!
Camping at Indiana State Parks
- More than 8,000 campsites are available for reservation six months in advance. All campsites come with a picnic table, a fire ring, parking spot, and a drinking-water supply in the area. Most campsites except those identified as “primitive” sites come with electricity and a modern restroom and showers close by. Some have sewage/water hookups for recreational vehicles. Find the right campsite online or by calling our helpful reservation line, 1-866-6CAMPIN.
Cabins at Indiana State Parks
- Enjoy a family cabin with your loved ones in an Indiana State Park this year. The cabins offer privacy and comfort with bedrooms, living areas, kitchens, and modern bathroom facilities. Choose from modern cabins at these state parks: Brown County, Chain O'Lakes, Harmonie, Lincoln, McCormick's Creek, Potato Creek, Shakamak, and Whitewater Memorial.
Indiana State Park Inns - Enjoy the Outdoors in Comfort
- Seven inns are available to book a stay. All are located in beautiful Indiana State Parks. All have a connected restaurant for a delicious home style meal after your outdoor adventure. Reserve online or by calling our helpful reservation line 1-877-LODGES-1.
First-come, First-served Camping
- Campsites at Forestry properties and at Glendale, J.E. Roush Lake, and Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife areas are first-come, first-served, 365 days a year. Please register for camping at the property office.
- Reservable campsites (Indiana State Parks campsites) are treated as a first-come, first-served if there is availability.
Backpacking in Indiana
- Forestry properties offer dispersed camping along 125 miles of trails. Traverse the Knobstone, Adventure, or Tecumseh trails on your next backpacking adventure.
- Backpacking is available at several Indiana state park and lakes, DNR forestry properties, and Hoosier National Forest.
- Hunting, Fishing, and Shooting
Interested in learning about hunting and fishing? We’ve got you!
What You Need:
- Licenses – With a few exceptions, a valid Indiana fishing license is required to fish in public waters. A valid hunting license is required to hunt any species of wild animal on both private and public land. You can purchase different types of licenses and bundles depending on your needs. You can buy yours online, in person, or by mail.
- Regulations – Be in the know. It’s important to learn about Indiana’s regulations on fishing, hunting, and trapping. View our annual guides online or grab free copies at your local DNR property or retailer.
- Learning new skills – No-fear fishing! Check out our Learn to Fish page for helpful tips on how to get started and more info on what you might need.
Where to Go:
- Where to Fish: Explore the interactive online map of public fishing sites in Indiana.
- Where to Hunt: Discover our interactive online map of hunting areas in Indiana.
- Archery and Shooting Ranges: Hone your skills at a DNR-operated range across Indiana.
- Properties: Find a list of Indiana’s Fish & Wildlife areas, state fish hatcheries, and shooting ranges. To learn more about hunting and fishing seasons, safety considerations, or available activities and amenities at the property, review the property’s webpage or call them before your visit.
- Explore Nature and History
Discover Indiana’s rich history, nature, and culture at one of our fun programs!
Interpretive Naturalist Programs at Indiana State Parks
- Guided Hikes: Hundreds are offered each year, giving you a chance to explore with an expert.
- Nature Centers: Stop into a center to learn more about Indiana nature and see live animals.
Interested in Indiana history? Check out the historic features at Indiana State Parks:
- Spring Mill State Park’s Pioneer Village - Founded in 1814, it contains 20 historic buildings to explore.
- O’Bannon Woods State Park’s Pioneer Farmstead – Discover the uniquely restored and working haypress barn, complete with oxen for power and a pioneer farmstead.
- Mounds State Park’s Earthworks – Discover 10 unique earthworks built thousands of years ago by the Adena-Hopewell people .
- Fire Towers – Rising above the parks from 70 to 120 feet, climb the many steps for spectacular views of the parks and forests. Constructed from the 1930s-1960s, Indiana’s fire towers are located at Brown County, Lincoln, McCormick's Creek, O'Bannon Woods, Ouabache, and Tippecanoe River state parks and Clark, Ferdinand, Pike, Jackson-Washington, Martin, and Morgan-Monroe state forests. Please contact property for access hours.
- Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) – A number of Indiana State Parks were built, improved, or expanded by the CCC, which was and remains one of the most popular programs of the New Deal. Indiana had 56 CCC companies, eight of which were African-American. Learn about one of them, the 517th Company.
Educational and Outreach Programs
- Project WET – Interactive, science-based activities to encourage preschool through high school learners to think critically about water quality, resources, conservation, and management.
- Project WILD – A conservation and environmental education program for preschool through high school learners.
- Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant – A grant, in partnership with the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, that distributes funds for educators to take students on field trips to an Indiana state park or reservoir.
- Indiana Master Naturalist – A hands-on program to educate new naturalists and encourage outdoor volunteerism. Classes are offered around the state.
- Conservation and Wildlife
Help us protect and preserve Indiana’s natural resources.
- Leave no trace: Ensure you carry out everything you bring in and don't disturb natural areas.
- Be a wildlife advocate: Learn about important species and vital habitats in Indiana. Read stories about DNR Fish & Wildlife’s conservation successes and explore the ways Indiana State Parks cares for and manages natural resources.
- Donate: Preserve Indiana’s outdoor spaces for future generations to enjoy.
- Volunteer: Whether you want to be a long-term volunteer at a property or support a short event, DNR has many opportunities for you to get involved.
Conservation Officers – Protecting you and Indiana’s Natural Resources.
Indiana Conservation Officers are service oriented. As the law enforcement division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, conservation officers concentrate on meeting community needs concerning natural resource laws and rules. This includes educating and assisting the general public with conservation, outdoor safety, and wildlife management.
Stay Connected
- Follow us on social media
- Read the Recreation Guide
- Sign up for MyDNR
- Get the DNR app
- Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana
Reach Out
Looking for a way to get involved? Fill out this form and someone from our DNR team will be in touch.