State Parks

Michigan state parks host diverse July events including dune interpretation walks at Muskegon State Park, wellness retreats at Port Crescent State Park, Pheasants Forever habitat education at multiple locations, adaptive recreation activities at Interlochen State Park, and orienteering challenges, horseshoe tournaments, and Christmas in July celebrations across the state.

Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala state recreation areas remain open as staff clean up storm damage from June 30. Visitors should exercise caution around downed trees, debris, standing water, shifted boat docks, and eroded shorelines.

Nebraska's largest state park, Fort Robinson State Park, has reopened trails and rangelands to the public following closure due to the South Fork Fire. Visitors are advised to use caution, avoid weakened trees, and stay on established trails while the park continues recovery efforts and prepares for Fourth of July weekend activities.

Fort Robinson State Park opened a new state-of-the-art aquatic facility featuring a 310-foot waterslide, zero-entry pool, and Old West-themed attractions. The facility replaces a 46-year-old pool and was funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Nebraska Game and Parks Capital Maintenance Fund, Robert B. Daugherty Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers numerous July 4th celebrations across state parks, including fireworks displays at Patoka Lake, Pokagon State Park, Cecil M. Harden Lake, and Versailles State Park, plus activities like patriotic bike parades, historical walks, and cornhole tournaments at various locations.

Author Jeff O'Donnell will present two programs on July 11 at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, featuring discussions on the North Brothers and Pawnee Scouts, plus stories from his book "Amazing Tales of the Old West." O'Donnell has authored nine books about Nebraska and appeared on national television networks.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission permits fireworks at three state recreation areas on July 4: Branched Oak SRA at Lieber's Point, Pawnee SRA Area 1 beach, and Wagon Train SRA beach from 8 a.m. to midnight. Only state fire marshal-approved fireworks are allowed, and visitors must supervise children and properly dispose of used fireworks.

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.