Turkey Run and Shades State Parks

10/06/2025

Please consider donating to Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center. We can't thank them enough for their willingness to help. It's no stretch of the word to call these people heroes. They see the unseen and love the unloved. They do all this amazing work on donations. Their conservation efforts not only protect our wildlife but strengths our communities around them. Please consider lending a hand or donating to their cause. Or reach out to a wildlife rehabilitation center near you!

https://www.wildcatwildlifecenter.org/ to donate
Remember, only licensed rehabilitators can take in wildlife.

More info on Turkey Run: on.IN.gov/turkeyrunsp

Today one of the Naturalists at Turkey Run asked if anyone was available to take a box turtle to a wildlife rehabilitation center. So, the Friends of Turkey Run & Shades State Parks sent out an email to its members and found someone who could drive the turtle on its 2 hour journey to Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center.

The turtle appears to not be able to see.

Upon arrival at the center; the young male turtle was found to be severely dehydrated and he was immediately given fluids. He was also immediately given medication to see if swelling in his eyes could be reduced. He will see a veterinarian later this week.

If the turtle is able to recover; he will be returned to the park and released near where he was originally found. He was very lively on the journey north and we hope he has a speedy recovery.

The wildlife center works on donations only and does not charge to take in injured animals.

If you would like to make a donation to support the care of this turtle, you can go to https://www.wildcatwildlifecenter.org/ and when you donate just note that it is for the Turkey Run Turtle.

Remember, only licensed rehabilitators can take in wildlife.

10/03/2025

Come out to Shades State Park on Friday, October 24th to experience all things Halloween! We will have trunk-or-treating in the Hemlock Picnic Area from 5:45pm to 7:00pm, followed by our spooky, candle-lit Luminary Trail from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, leaving from Hickory Shelter. There will be games, snacks, music, and fun stationed at the Hickory Shelter as well!
All ages are welcome. This will be a free event, with general park admission. Details are as follows:

Trunk-or-treat: 5:45pm to 7:00pm (Setup ends at 5:30pm)
Put your costume on and come to Hemlock Picnic Area to walk vehicle to vehicle trick-or-treating!
If you want to participate in passing out candy, parking in Hemlock Picnic Area closes at 5:30pm for safety of trick-or-treaters.

Hickory Shelter Halloween fun: 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Come to Hickory Shelter to enjoy treats, games, and music!

Luminary Trail: 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Walk along this candle-lit spooky trail to learn about some of Indiana’s creepy crawly creatures! You will walk at your leisure on this easy, flat trail. Flashlights are welcome! But we ask them to be used sparingly. Hike is about a 1-mile loop.

more info: on.IN.gov/turkeyrunsp

10/03/2025

Lots of stuff going on this month! We have our regular scheduled programs along with Halloween Weekend!

Join us for all kinds of fun! Monster egg hunts, costume contests, luminary trail, and more! Great fun for the whole family. Free with park admission.

Details below:

Friday October 24th: Shades State Park
Trunk-Or-Treat – 5:45PM-7:00PM
Meet at Hemlock Picnic area and bring a bag! Come in costume and collect candy as you walk car to car!

Luminary Trail – 7:00PM-10:00PM
Hike a candle lit trail and learn about horrifyingly fascinating wildlife! Meet at Hickory Parking lot.

Campsite Decorating Contest set-up– All Day

Saturday October 25th: Turkey Run State Park
Kids Craft at the Nature Center - 1:00PM-3:00PM
Come to the Nature Center and do a Halloween themed craft!
Great for all ages.

Costume Contest (CAMPGROUND GUEST ONLY) - 4:00PM
Put on your best costume and come to the campground store! Contest will be broken up into age brackets.

Trick-Or-Treating (CAMPGROUND GUEST ONLY)– 5:00pm
For safety, the campground will be reduced to foot traffic only.

Monster Egg Hunt in the Pool Field– 8:00pm
Search for monster eggs in the grass field by the pool. The field will be divided into age groups. Begins promptly at 8pm. Bring a flashlight!

Campsite Decorating Voting ENDS– 10:00PM
Voting ballots available at camp gate.

Sunday October 26th: Turkey Run State Park
Campsite Decorating Contest Winner– 9:00AM
Will be posted at the camp gate

Call for questions at 765-597-2635.
More info at: on.IN.gov/turkeyrunsp

09/09/2025

🍺New Pints for Parks beer🍺

Moontown Brewing Company released Shades, the 14th brew in the Pints for Parks series!

Shades is an American style lager, refreshing and drinkable, that will be a great partner to your late summer adventures. As always, a portion of proceeds benefit special projects at Indiana State Parks. Visit one of Moontown’s locations to get Shades on draft or in commemorative 4-packs while supplies last. Please drink responsibly.

Read more about the program at: https://ow.ly/IZYf50WRklZ

08/31/2025

September is here! There is lots of fun still to be had! Plan a trip and join a Naturalist on one of our educational adventures.

Apart from our regular scheduled programs, we have some new ones!

Turkey Run:
Geology Day at 1pm. Meet at the suspension bridge.

Shades:
Bug Hunt at 11am. Meet at Pine Shelter

More info: on.IN.gov/turkeyrunsp

08/25/2025

Naturalist shoutout!

With the end of a wonderful summer season, we want to take the time to shoutout an integral part of the Turkey Run and Shades team.

Donatella has been a seasonal with us for 2 summers now. In this short time, she has casted waves of inspiration into our guest, community, and coworkers. She has faced many unique challenges and not only pushed through but excelled as she persevered. She has a strong passion for learning and is already a talented teacher. She wears her badge with pride, always exudes joy, and inspires others daily. She is a fantastic Naturalist, and we couldn’t be more thankful.

Please help us wish Donatella luck as she continues her college education at Purdue this fall! It’s bittersweet to have her go. We are all excited for the more great things she will do!

Thank you all for a fantastic summer!

on.IN.gov/turkeyrunsp

08/11/2025

The Perseid Meteor Shower is the largest meteor shower of the year!
Come to Shades (one of Indiana's darkest night skies) for a night of fun and celestial wonder, we can't wait for you to join us.

What you can expect:
8-10 pm: Children's activities in the field NEXT TO the visitor parking lot of the family campgrounds

10pm-12am: Meteor Shower observation:
- Wabash Valley Astronomical Society, Indiana Astronomical Society, and park Naturalists will be stationed along the pollinator fields (on the road leading to Pine Hills) with telescopes pointing at various celestial objects. The public is welcome to come look through the scopes and ask questions!
- The road leading to Pine Hills will be BLOCKED to vehicular traffic starting at 6 pm on Saturday, the 16th. This is so that no vehicles disturb the viewing opportunities in the most open field of view in the park.
- Traffic will be directed into parking areas, with instructions on how to get to main viewing location.

Learn more at: on.IN.gov/shades

07/28/2025

Lots of exciting things happening in August. Summer isn't over yet! Join us for Junior Naturalist Weekend and The Perseid Meteor Shower Watch Party, along with our regular programs! Come participate and have the chance to earn your very own Junior Naturalist pin! (Great for all ages). Reach out to one of our Naturalist if you have any questions. See you all soon!!😄

07/15/2025

We ❤️ Horses!

Saddle barns at state parks offer horseback riding to visitors. Take a ride here at Turkey Run State Park at our saddle barn! Learn more at on.IN.gov/dnr-horse-fees under saddle barns.

07/01/2025

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language" - Henry James
Check out the opportunities we have this month!
From pollinators, bug hunts, wildflowers, night lights, summer concerts and more...
We have SO many things to offer in July!

All programs can be found here: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/programs/program-schedules/