09-22-2007, 01:10 AM
With just a few more nice weekends outdoors left, Hoosiers are gathering in campgrounds for some of the best camping weather of the year. Every state park and reservoir property is rolling out the welcome mat, offering a wide array of seasonal events.
Pack up the sweaters and the Halloween decorations and join the fun! Venture into the prairie maze at Potato Creek. Get a close-up look at live hawks and owls at Hardy Lake's Raptor Days. Listen to great music during the Versailles Bluegrass Festival. Visit a World War II Re-enactment at Fort Harrison, complete with military vehicles and a "battle." Watch the 1850s haypress in operation at O'Bannon Woods.
Your can also remember Charlestown State Park's early history, or camp with your horses at the Salamonie Riders Rendezvous. Be a part of the first annual Fun Shoot at the Roush Lake Range. Try out your GPS unit at Pokagon's Geocacher's Campout or dance the night away at Monroe Lake's Camper Appreciation Dance. Ladies might want to "Become a Pioneer Woman" at Spring Mill by spending that special weekend in the Pioneer Village.
When there's not a special event, you can enjoy great hikes, talks, crafts and games that are the hallmark of the interpretive services at Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs.
Several sites feature family-friendly Halloween events. These events are sprinkled throughout October so campers can spend four weekends enjoying the flavor of fall! Some of them include:
· Campsite decorating contests: Indiana Dunes, Monroe, McCormick's, Raccoon, Harmonie, Ouabache, Spring Mill, Chain O'Lakes, Prophetstown<br />
· Campground trick or treating: Chain O'Lakes, Ouabache, Harmonie, Raccoon, Indiana Dunes, Monroe, Prophetstown<br />
· Costume contests or parades: Raccoon, Chain O'Lakes, McCormick's Creek, Shakamak, Spring Mill<br />
· Scarecrow Decorating and Prairie Maze: Potato Creek<br />
· Pumpkin carving: McCormick's Creek, Raccoon, Shakamak<br />
· Pumpkin painting/coloring/decorating: Chain O'Lakes, Monroe, Ouabache, Harmonie, Spring Mill<br />
· Storytelling: Indiana Dunes, Pokagon<br />
· Haunted trails/buildings: Harmonie (12/under building), Spring Mill (Pioneer Village), Lieber SRA (hayride), McCormick's Creek (Trail), Chain O'Lakes (Haunted Trail for older kids and Haunted Schoolhouse for younger children)
For a complete schedule of interpretive programs at each site, visit www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov or call your favorite property. Make reservations for camping at www.camp.IN.gov, or state park inns at www.indianainns.com.
Some events require a small fee. Donations to help defray the cost of supplies for events are always welcome. The standard $5 per car entrance fee ($7 per car for out-of-state license plates, except for Indiana Dunes, which is $10) is in effect during the autumn season.
Media Contact:<br />
Ginger Murphy, assistant director for stewardship, Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, (317) 232-4143.
Pack up the sweaters and the Halloween decorations and join the fun! Venture into the prairie maze at Potato Creek. Get a close-up look at live hawks and owls at Hardy Lake's Raptor Days. Listen to great music during the Versailles Bluegrass Festival. Visit a World War II Re-enactment at Fort Harrison, complete with military vehicles and a "battle." Watch the 1850s haypress in operation at O'Bannon Woods.
Your can also remember Charlestown State Park's early history, or camp with your horses at the Salamonie Riders Rendezvous. Be a part of the first annual Fun Shoot at the Roush Lake Range. Try out your GPS unit at Pokagon's Geocacher's Campout or dance the night away at Monroe Lake's Camper Appreciation Dance. Ladies might want to "Become a Pioneer Woman" at Spring Mill by spending that special weekend in the Pioneer Village.
When there's not a special event, you can enjoy great hikes, talks, crafts and games that are the hallmark of the interpretive services at Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs.
Several sites feature family-friendly Halloween events. These events are sprinkled throughout October so campers can spend four weekends enjoying the flavor of fall! Some of them include:
· Campsite decorating contests: Indiana Dunes, Monroe, McCormick's, Raccoon, Harmonie, Ouabache, Spring Mill, Chain O'Lakes, Prophetstown<br />
· Campground trick or treating: Chain O'Lakes, Ouabache, Harmonie, Raccoon, Indiana Dunes, Monroe, Prophetstown<br />
· Costume contests or parades: Raccoon, Chain O'Lakes, McCormick's Creek, Shakamak, Spring Mill<br />
· Scarecrow Decorating and Prairie Maze: Potato Creek<br />
· Pumpkin carving: McCormick's Creek, Raccoon, Shakamak<br />
· Pumpkin painting/coloring/decorating: Chain O'Lakes, Monroe, Ouabache, Harmonie, Spring Mill<br />
· Storytelling: Indiana Dunes, Pokagon<br />
· Haunted trails/buildings: Harmonie (12/under building), Spring Mill (Pioneer Village), Lieber SRA (hayride), McCormick's Creek (Trail), Chain O'Lakes (Haunted Trail for older kids and Haunted Schoolhouse for younger children)
For a complete schedule of interpretive programs at each site, visit www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov or call your favorite property. Make reservations for camping at www.camp.IN.gov, or state park inns at www.indianainns.com.
Some events require a small fee. Donations to help defray the cost of supplies for events are always welcome. The standard $5 per car entrance fee ($7 per car for out-of-state license plates, except for Indiana Dunes, which is $10) is in effect during the autumn season.
Media Contact:<br />
Ginger Murphy, assistant director for stewardship, Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, (317) 232-4143.