Nature Awaits, a Michigan DNR education initiative, offers free fall field trips to fourth grade classrooms at 30 state parks. Transportation costs for public schools are reimbursed up to $1,000, with trained DNR educators leading 90-minute curriculum-aligned activities from September through November.
Arkansas State Parks is promoting safe outdoor recreation during extreme heat with hiking tips including proper hydration, trail selection, and heat illness awareness. The parks offer cooler alternatives such as water activities through Whenever Watersports, guided lake adventures at DeGray Lake Resort State Park and Bull Shoals–White River State Park, Blanchard Springs Caverns tours, and air-conditioned visitor centers.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has scheduled September education events including Wise and Wild programs at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Little Saplings early childhood nature discovery at Schramm Education Center, virtual Science of Sunflowers webinar, spider hikes, kayak cleanup at Carter Lake, nature zine workshops, homeschool hikes, and Wildcat Hills programs in western Nebraska.
Travelers' Rest State Park near Lolo is celebrating 25 years with a series of public events, including a free concert by The Queens and Mr. G on August 23 and a trivia night at Lolo Creek Distillery on August 27. The park, home to a Lewis & Clark Expedition campsite, received grants from Montana 250 Grant Program, Americana Corner's Preserving America Grant, and Park Side Credit Union.
Arkansas State Parks completed significant improvements at Lake Chicot State Park, including 42 renovated RV campsites, a new bathhouse, paved Delta Woodlands Trail, and enhanced accessibility. Secretary Shea Lewis highlighted the park's commitment to preserving visitor experiences while meeting modern needs in the Mississippi Delta.
Giant Springs State Park hosts a free 10K trail run on August 22 at 7:15 A.M., featuring the South Shore Trail System and Whitmore Ravine. Participants can register at the Ranger Station (406-727-1212) or online, with prizes awarded in Men's, Women's, and Youth categories.
Arkansas State Parks and Frontier Climbing Company opened the Petit Jean Via Ferrata, the only via ferrata in a U.S. state park. Built by Adventure Partners LLC and Wagner General Contractors, Inc., the guided fixed-cable climbing route features suspension bridges, sky ladders, and aerial sections across ten named pitches below Palisades Overlook.
The Navy Band Northwest Woodwind Quartet will perform at Pictograph Cave State Park on August 19 at 1 p.m. as part of Navy Week in Billings. The free performance will be held outdoors weather permitting, with regular state park fees applying.
Silver Lake State Park opens registration September 1 for its annual shoreline horseback riding season running November 1-30 along Lake Michigan. Reservations available through MiDNRReservations.com or 1-800-447-2757 at $10 per horse daily with 125 slots available.
Arkansas State Parks will host a community open house on August 6, 2026, at Lake Chicot State Park to celebrate major improvements including a renovated campground with 42 RV sites, new amenities, and enhanced visitor facilities. Secretary Shea Lewis emphasized the department's commitment to investing in places that connect people to nature while ensuring safe, accessible experiences.
Travelers' Rest State Park near Lolo is hosting a free "Lewis and Clark After Dark" astronomy event on August 12 from 9-11 p.m. in association with Western Montana Astronomical Association. The program features education about constellations and celestial navigation used by Lewis and Clark, followed by night sky viewing.
Effective Friday, August 7, Carter County will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions, with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks implementing campfire and smoking restrictions at Medicine Rocks State Park and other FWP properties in Big Horn and Richland counties.
Nebraska Game and Parks is adjusting operating hours and services across state park areas due to limited workforce heading into fall. Jeff Fields, state parks administrator, noted visitors can still fish, camp, hike, picnic, and boat while parks implement staffing-related changes through Labor Day and beyond.
Pressey and Petersen wildlife management areas in Nebraska, closed due to wildfires, will reopen to public access on August 1. Properties enrolled in Open Fields and Waters within impacted areas will also reopen, though boundary fences may require repairs. Clear Creek WMA remains closed until further notice.
Missouri Headwaters State Park hosts a Junior Ranger Program on reptiles, Lewis & Clark Headwaters Arrival Breakfast featuring guest speaker John Phillips, and a volunteer weed pull. Madison Buffalo Jump State Park will hold a Kite Festival with Native American art vendors, flint knapping demonstrations, Vintage Nana's Indian Tacos, and a bison program by Billy Maxwell.
Lewis and Clark State Park in Onawa, Iowa reopened July 17 for day-use and camping after completing the first phase of hazardous tree removal. The park removed hundreds of dead cottonwood trees, though shaded campsites remain limited. The Visitor Center and Keel Boat Exhibit remain closed for HVAC renovations.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled multiple August events including birding programs at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Nature at Nightfall at Platte River State Park, a family event with Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery, kayak cleanup at Zorinsky Lake, virtual science webinars, a Fossil Discovery Workshop with the University of Nebraska State Museum, and Becoming an Outdoors-Woman birding activities.
Lone Pine State Park is offering B.A.R.K Ranger Hikes on select Saturdays throughout summer and fall, starting July 25. The program, developed by the National Park Service, teaches responsible pet ownership on public lands. Participants receive an official dog tag and can enter a photo contest for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks social media.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park near Ulm hosts its annual Mammoth Hunt event on August 8-9, where visitors can practice using atlatls and primitive weapons with instructor Jim Ray, cultural anthropologist Billy Maxwell, George Bryce, and veterinarian Don "Doc" Woerner demonstrating traditional First Peoples hunting and survival skills.
Eastern portions of Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area are closed during a campground improvement project funded by Capital Maintenance Funds and Nebraska Game and Parks fees. The project will add electrical campsites and a shower house to the eastern campground.