About Outdoor Indiana
Outdoor Indiana, the state's premier magazine, delivers the wonders of the Hoosier outdoors to subscribers' homes and offices in 48 pages of vibrant color. For the best of state parks, lakes, wildlife, forests, trails, hunting, fishing, wildflowers and outdoorsy people, plus inside information from DNR experts, subscribe for $15 per year or $28 for two years. Follow the magazine staff on Facebook.
Sunset at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area, the January photo for the 2025 calendar. Photo by Brent Drinkut.
Featured Stories
- From the Director
Next Level Legacy
DNR Director Dan Bortner
Eight years ago, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb delivered an inaugural address that inspired us to reflect on our Hoosier pioneering roots.
He challenged us to embrace our forebearers’ legacy of venturing into the wilderness and blazing new trails—both literally and figuratively.
When I accepted the role as DNR director, Gov. Holcomb reaffirmed his challenge for DNR to dream big and deliver, taking conservation to the next level. Look around Indiana, and you’ll see the results.
More land is protected in perpetuity, with millions invested in picturesque landscapes and critical habitats through the Next Level Conservation Trust and the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust.
We have more state-dedicated nature preserves, which now number more than 300. Our DNR-managed public lands are well-maintained, with $100 million invested into their maintenance. Construction is ongoing on the first Indiana State Park Inn built since 1939, the Lodge at Potato Creek. One million more trees dot our landscape.
And, like our ancestors, we’ve blazed new trails with the largest ever trails investment in Indiana history—$180 million. Through Next Level Trails, more than 100 new miles are now open. Plus, the first sections of Indiana’s soon-to-be longest recreational trail, the Monon South, will open this winter.
Please join me in thanking Gov. Holcomb for fostering an Indiana conservation legacy that will long live in this land we call home.
- DECK THE PARKS
DNR holiday light shows brighten winter nights
By Scott Roberts, OI Staff
A retro camper display lights up Lieber Lights at Lieber SRA’s campground.
As Kristin Hoffman of Anderson and her toddler daughter, Grace, walked through Mounds State Park’s Night of Lights in early December 2023, they marveled at the displays.
They saw elves tossing gifts into Santa’s sleigh, Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes, snowflake decorations, and many other creative concepts. At many displays, they stopped to talk about what they saw and how it might have been made.
“It was nice to be able to take our time and really take in some of these displays, because they’re quite impressive,” Hoffman said. “We’ve come here every year since this started three years ago to support the park and we’ve enjoyed it each time.”
Hoffman asked Grace if she liked the lights, and she nodded vigorously.
Last year’s event was the first time guests could walk instead of drive through the displays, which are in the park’s campground. Two nights were dedicated to walkthroughs; Thursdays during the first two weeks in December, and the rest of the nights were driving only. The show was open weekends throughout December.
Later the same weekend, Tim Mason of Cloverdale and his family drove out of Lieber State Recreation Area’s (SRA) Lieber Lights show smiling and chatting about their favorite displays. The first timers said they would be back.
“We liked the one based on ‘Nightmare Before Christmas,’ but I think our favorite was ‘Snow Pain, Snow Gain’,” Mason said.
To read the rest of this article subscribe to Outdoor Indiana or pick up a copy at one of our state park inns. To subscribe, click here or call (317) 233-3046.
Reader Photos
Each issue, Outdoor Indiana staff will select reader submitted photos to feature in the magazine. If you would like the chance to be featured, please submit your photo, along with your name and phone number to:
Please, only submit original photography that you have taken. Do not send files over 9 MB in size. JPG format is preferred.
Select each image to enlarge and see more information.
Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine
Visit the Indiana State Parks online store to subscribe. Cost is $15 for a one year subscription or $28 for two years.
Donate
Printing and distribution costs for Outdoor Indiana magazine have increased. One way we’re offsetting these costs is through the Friends of Outdoor Indiana Group administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. Donations to our friends group helps keep our subscription price low and ensures we’ll be around to bring you the best of Indiana’s outdoors for years to come. Donate at the INRF website and include “Friends of Outdoor Indiana” in the “In Honor Of/In Memory Of” line.
Outdoor Indiana
402 W. Washington St., W255-B
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-233-3046
OIorders@dnr.IN.gov
