Friend,

We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we’re all in this together. 

Eric and I have been telling Hoosiers how important it is to hunker down at home to keep your loved ones safe and healthy. It’s more vital than ever to practice social distancing — working together to save Hoosier lives.

And it’s also critical to get outside and stay physically — and mentally — healthy. 

Here’s the good news — Indiana’s state parks are some of the BEST in the country, they’re still open, and right now they are all currently waiving their entrance fees! Depending on the park, some of the areas will be closed to visitors, but you can still get outside for a hike! There’s lots of space at our state parks...and plenty of room to get out while still social distancing.

Henry and I are huge fans of our state parks — that’s why the Holcomb Crew let me take over One Indiana this week! 

I compiled a list of my favorite Indiana State Parks to give you a few ideas about how to stay active and safe during this time when we’re hunkered down. 

Check them out below!

• Brown County - the largest park in our state — that means there’s lots of room for you to get outside!
• Falls of the Ohio (Clark County) - you can combine a little history with your outdoor adventure at this beautiful park, where Lewis and Clark launched their famous expedition.
• Indiana Dunes (Porter County) - you can always go for a hike in the most visited attraction in Indiana (Indiana Dunes State Park is adjacent to our newest national park!)
• Fort Harrison (Marion County) - 1,700 acres of Hoosier history, beautiful scenery, and outdoor activities!
• McCormick’s Creek (Owen County) - The original! Indiana’s first state park is always worth visiting.
• Turkey Run (Parke County) - the beautiful canyons and gorges of Turkey Run are a great place for a hike!
• Clifty Falls (Jefferson County) - this beautiful park is right on the Ohio River and contains majestic waterfalls that change based on the season. 
• Chain O’Lakes (Noble County) - home to nine connected lakes, Chain O’Lakes is a great place to get in touch with nature and explore Indiana’s natural beauty. 

Here’s the catch — if you visit any of our state parks, you need to make sure you’re following ALL social distancing guidelines, no excuses. So I’m asking you to add your name below and pledge to follow these guidelines.

Thank you for reading — please continue to hunker down and stay healthy. We’re all in this together. 

Stay Strong,

Janet Holcomb