Nebraska Game and Parks Commission operates nine state historical parks showcasing the state's diverse heritage, from Fort Atkinson and Fort Hartsuff military posts to Buffalo Bill Ranch and Ashfall Fossil Beds. Many parks offer living history events and special programming for America's 250th anniversary celebration.
Arkansas State Parks partnered with Apple Seeds, a nonprofit nutrition-education organization, to establish a Central Arkansas Teaching Farm at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The two-acre farm will serve thousands of students annually through field trips, camps, and community events, with Apple Seeds aiming to reach 15,000 students per year by 2029.
Bannack State Park celebrates the 50th anniversary of Bannack Days on July 18-19, featuring re-enactments, music, wagon rides, gold panning, and artisan demonstrations at Montana's first territorial capital. Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family, with tickets available online at montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls is hosting free Trivia Nights every Tuesday evening from July 7 through August 25, featuring family-friendly questions in four rounds. Teams of seven or fewer can compete for prizes, with registration available on-site before 7 p.m.
Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced that Salamonie River State Forest and Frances Slocum State Forest will transition to Indiana State Parks management effective July 1, adding over 1,400 acres of forestland in northern Indiana while maintaining recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department prohibits fireworks on state wildlife management areas ahead of Independence Day, as they conflict with wildlife production and recreation objectives. The department will temporarily lift Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restrictions for the Fourth of July holiday week.
Montana State Parks interns Ainsley Slocum and Kileigh Bartole evaluated 13 state parks over 12 weeks to assess accessibility and identify barriers for visitors of varying abilities. Their findings, guided by FWP parks and outdoor recreation planner Amber Lopatine, informed new Accessible Recreation webpages and recommendations for immediate improvements across Montana's state park system.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled multiple July events including Little Saplings nature programs at Schramm Education Center, Birds of a Feather birding sessions at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, firefly science webinars, and the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program at Holmes Lake.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the City of Madison celebrated the opening of the Clifty Connector Trail, a 1.5-mile asphalt multi-use trail funded by a $2,160,160 DNR grant. Governor Mike Braun highlighted the project's alignment with his commitment to health and outdoor recreation in Indiana.
Alabama State Parks launched a statewide habitat restoration initiative funded by a $25,000 grant from the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils. The program deploys a mobile conservation crew across Alabama's 21 state parks to combat invasive species like Chinese tallowtree, restore native habitats, and engage communities in conservation efforts.
Fort Robinson State Park has partially reopened following the South Fork Fire shift northward. The lodge, cabins, activity center, Sutler Store, Post Playhouse, restaurant, and historical tours managed by the Nebraska State Historical Society and University of Nebraska are now open, while horse trails, stagecoach rides, and hiking trails remain closed pending safety assessments.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is completing 197 ARPA-funded state park improvement projects totaling $273 million, with 142 projects finished and 55 underway. Led by DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Kristen Kosick, these upgrades address decades-long maintenance backlogs and include the development of Flint's first state park in Genesee County.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park offers three free Junior Ranger programs in July for children ages six to twelve, featuring topics like rock art with Rey Davis, tipis with Mike Jetty and Alysa, and Montana bats with park ranger Andy Keller. Registration begins June 22 at montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Rickwood Caverns State Park in Alabama opened a new access road connecting to Poplar Road near Interstate 65 Exit 287, built in partnership with the Blount County Commission. The park also unveiled a state-of-the-art accessible playground funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham through the Alabama State Parks Foundation.
Missouri Headwaters State Park and Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park in southwestern Montana are hosting free summer events including guest speakers, guided hikes, and educational programs. Featured speakers include Rob Quist, Buck Buchanan, Matt Bell, Ken Sinay, Claire Kirk, Nancy Milewski, Lea Frye, Scott Bealer, Louise Fischer, Katherine Hodge, Franco Littlelight, and Sam Neider.
The Iowa State Parks Passport returns in 2026 featuring nearly 60 state parks and forests. Visitors can download the app, check into parks to earn points toward prizes including camping discounts, koozies, and tote bags, plus enter a sweepstakes. As you explore Iowa state parks and forests, you can submit beautiful and iconic park photos into our photo contest for a chance to be featured on social media.
Friends of Clear Lake State Park hosts a Geocache 101 presentation on June 20 at 11 a.m., covering hiding, finding, trackables, and path tags. New geocaches will be released throughout the park during the event. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Southern Michigan state parks are hosting volunteer stewardship workdays throughout June at seven locations including Bald Mountain Recreation Area, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Warren Dunes State Park, Highland Recreation Area, Muskegon State Park, Waterloo Recreation Area, and Yankee Springs Recreation Area. Volunteers can help remove invasive species like garlic mustard, barberry, and autumn olive.
Dave Caserio, a local writer and educator, is leading a writing workshop at Pictograph Cave State Park on June 20 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will use observations of the natural world and the area's historical, cultural, and geological background to create works in any writing genre.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana DNR celebrated playground updates across 43 state parks funded by a $50 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., with $11 million specifically invested in playgrounds. Sixteen installations are complete, five more by early June, and the remainder by fall 2026.