IN the Parks

Turkey Run State Park may be Indiana's best-loved park! It was cherished by the Lusk family, the white settlers who owned the land in the 1800s. Later, the community fought to keep it as a park instead of letting a lumber company get their hands on it. The creator of our state parks system, Colonel Richard Lieber, also had a very strong connection to the property. There's something about the rugged beauty, adventure, and reminder of how small you are that keeps people coming back!Learn about the Lusk family and how the park began, discover old and new trails, and hear about the Eagles in Flight weekend that happens every January. Plus, you'll find out how long I've been visiting this park!If you want to support Turkey Run or learn about the Eagles in Flight weekend, be sure to follow their Friends volunteer group online.Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast!Any mistakes are my own.

Head to Southern Indiana to visit Deam Lake! You'll enjoy time on the water and discover it's the gateway to more trail systems than you'd expect! Horse riders and hikers can camp at Deam Lake and access Clark State Forest, for more miles of exploring. The Knobstone Trail's southern terminus is at Deam Lake, and the Monon South has a trailhead here too. You'll also learn that Deam Lake is named for Charles C. Deam, Indiana's first forester. Deam was a man of intense focus and conviction, an early conservationist who spent his life discovering plants in the state and beyond.The Deam Lake Loop Trail Run is October 3, 2026, and you can sign up for the race here.  If you want to bring your horse to ride at Deam Lake, Indiana Trail Riders Association is a valuable resource.Get maps, tips, segment ideas, pictures, history, and more on the Knobstone Hiking Trail Association website.Follow Deam Lake on Facebook and be sure to take on their new hiking challenge!Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast! Any mistakes are my own.

Get ready for an off-roading adventure at Interlake, one of two off-road state recreation areas in Indiana. Interlake OSRA offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-roading, fishing, kayaking, hunting, and more! It's a stunningly beautiful park whose history is literally visible on the land. Learn how this property went from surface coal mining to an exciting off-road experience!I didn’t mention it in the episode, but please note that Interlake is in the central time zone because that’s where the front office is. However, as you drive back and forth across the 3,500 acres, you may switch from central to eastern and back. Not very often you can time travel so easily!If you want to learn more about the history of coal, especially in Indiana, check out The Museum of the Coal Industry in Lynnville, not far from the park.Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast!Any mistakes are my own.

Before he was the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln was a kid growing up in southern Indiana. From ages 7 to 21, he was shaped by his experiences in the forests and farmlands of our state. Those formative moments from his childhood developed him into our country's leader. Learn a few stories from Abe's childhood and consider how your own childhood has influenced you. Learn about the events and projects supported by the Friends of Lincoln State Park volunteers and follow them on Facebook. Get your tickets from the Lincoln Amphitheater for Lincoln productions and the summer concert series. The 2026 season launches February 3.Learn more about the post office in Santa Claus, IN, and its sweet history.Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast! At buymeacoffee.com/intheparksonline Any mistakes are my own.

Travel to the southwest corner of Indiana to visit Harmonie State Park! We'll learn about their big trees, the park's features, how several groups tried to create harmony on earth here, and the charming town of New Harmony. We also discover how Harmonie is part of the story of Indiana's state insect, Say's Firefly. (Here's a ton more info about fireflies!)In New Harmony, I highly recommend a visit to the Indiana State Museum New Harmony Historic Site. In town, you definitely want to explore the cathedral labyrinth, visit the roofless church, and go to the Working Men’s Institute (Indiana’s oldest continuously operating library). The institute’s second floor is a museum of oddities including an 8-legged, 2-headed calf and a skeleton of a Civil War soldier’s horse!To learn more about Lynn Faust and fireflies, check out this article and here’s a link to her book.If you want to support the Friends of Harmonie, you can be a member for $20 a year for individuals and $35 a year for families. There are some perks for you too, so check out their website to learn more.Any mistakes are my own.

It's another special Holidays IN the Parks episode! Your shopping list, wish list, and holiday events are all taken care of! Listen now and you'll be in the know for the best gifts, activities, and family traditions.Holiday Gifts1. Purchase a 2026 state parks pass2. Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazineHOT TIP: Purchase the state parks Holiday Gift Pack (while supplies last)3. Buy all the state parks merch and gear you need for next yearState Park Holiday EventsPokagon – Ride the toboggan all winterChain O’ Lakes – Christmas Carol Clue Hunt Ouabache – Wonderland of Lights and Santa SaturdaysProphetstown – Head to The Farm for Breakfast with Santa or Christmas on the FarmMounds – Drive through Nights of LightsLieber SRA – Drive through Winter Lights display Raccoon SRA - Visiting the Lost Canyon First Day HikeMonroe Lake - Geminids Meteor Shower and First Day Trail Run & Walk Spring Mill State Park – Join the Bedford Hiking Club for a volkswalk First Day Hike Clifty Falls – Call Clifty Inn for Breakfast With the Grinch and Winter Weekend Getaway O’Bannon Woods Events pageAny mistakes are my own.