Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park will reopen for the 2026 season with cave tours available May 1 through September 30. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance through the Montana FWP website or by phone at 1-855-922-6768. The park offers Paradise and Classic tours, camping, hiking, and interpretive programs.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Rosebud on June 17 at Rosebud Battlefield State Park. The event will honor the Northern Cheyenne victory and include tribal participation, reenactments, ceremonies, and historical demonstrations.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park in Great Falls hosts a family-friendly Outdoor Extravaganza on May 30, featuring trail stewardship with the Stew Crew, a presentation by Dan "The Snake Man" Waitt about Montana snakes, weekly Jump Talk by park staff, and a Blue Moon & Sunset Hike.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced traffic circulation improvements and a dedicated two-way cycle track at Belle Isle Park based on the 2025 multimodal mobility plan. Central Avenue will transition to two-way traffic, and a new bicycle loop will allow cyclists to circle the island without crossing vehicle lanes.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invites campers to complete a survey about their camping experiences in Nebraska State Parks from June 1-15. The survey will gather feedback on camping frequency, travel distance, reservations, and preferences to inform future park improvements and planning.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for Memorial Day week, allowing overnight camping May 26-27 on Wildlife Management Areas that normally have this two-day restriction.
Nebraska Game and Parks offers camping tips for Memorial Day weekend, including purchasing permits through OutdoorNebraska.gov, checking for campfire bans, practicing campfire safety, wearing life jackets, and observing quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in state park campgrounds.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers diverse June educational events including the Junior Bluebird Program at Ponca State Park, Stars, Strolls & S'mores at Skyview Lake, virtual webinars on the Platte River science, wildflower workshops at Prairie Pines Nature Preserve, and Bumble Bee Atlas field days at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center and Ponca State Park.
Pictograph Cave State Park will offer free ranger-guided tours every Saturday from May 23 through August 29. Rangers will discuss park history, archeology, geology, and Native American occupation during the one-hour walking tours, with group sizes limited to 20 participants.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun joined the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for a ceremonial tree planting at Summit Lake State Park. The event supports the GSGP's regional initiative to plant 250 million trees by 2033, with 27 million trees planted since 2024.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park launches its summer "Jump Talks" educational programs on Saturday, May 23, featuring 30-minute ranger-led sessions every Saturday through September 5. Free programs at 1 p.m. describe how First Peoples drove bison over cliffs and share stories about the sacred National Historic Landmark site.
Pennsylvania native Keshia Smith discovered a 3.09-carat white diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas while grieving the deaths of her son and father. Named the Za'Novia Liberty Diamond, it is the second-largest diamond registered at the park in 2026, with Park Interpreter Sarah Bivens noting that larger diamonds are often found during visitors' first hours of searching.
Gulf State Park in Alabama has opened a new RV resort with 103 premium campsites, bringing the park's total to 607 RV sites—the largest state park-operated RV campground in America. The expansion, funded by Alabama's $85 million state parks investment approved in 2022, features modern amenities including bathhouses, a clubhouse, salt water pool, and pickleball courts.
Travelers' Rest State Park near Lolo will open "Ursus Horribilis: The Grizzly Bear Illustrated" exhibit on May 9, featuring 50 vintage prints by artists including Karl Bodmer and Frederic Remington. A bear aware event on May 23 will offer demonstrations, bear spray training, and activities from Wind River Bear Institute and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Michigan's DNR visitor centers offer hands-on programs and family-friendly events including tours at Hartwick Pines State Park, Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, and Saginaw Bay Visitor Center. The Outdoor Skills Academy and Becoming an Outdoors Woman program provide skill-building clinics in fishing, hunting, and seasonal activities through August.
Nebraska state parks offer diverse May events including the 13th Annual Sip Nebraska Festival at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, stargazing at Merritt Reservoir with the Platte Valley Astronomical Observers, the Hammer's Hill artifact exhibit dedication at Rock Creek Station, and Fort Hartsuff's 150th anniversary reenactments. May 16 is Free Fishing and Park Entry Day statewide.
Indiana State Parks will provide free admission to all properties on Sunday, May 3, during Welcome Weekend. Director Brandt Baughman invites visitors to enjoy camping, outdoor activities, dining, and lodging. Campgrounds are open with a 25% discount available Sunday-Wednesday through May 13 using code SPRING26.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers free annual entrance passes to qualified foster families for all Indiana State Parks. Families can apply by completing a form at dnr.IN.gov and submitting it to PermitApplication@dnr.IN.gov. Director Brandt Baughman emphasized the program helps families make memories and explore state parks together.
The Schramm Education Center south of Gretna offers May events including amphibian education with state herpetologist Dennis Ferraro on May 2, Little Saplings spring flowers program on May 13, and Homeschool Hikes focusing on snakes on May 20. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and ages 4-12.
Nebraska Game and Parks has temporarily closed Pressey Wildlife Management Area in Custer County following a wildfire that broke out April 22. The closure ensures public safety while emergency responders manage the fire amid severe drought conditions affecting over 81% of the state.