Catch Indiana's fall foliage at our state parks

Get out and enjoy the fall foliage around the Ohio River Valley Region

As temperatures drop, Indiana shows off its beautiful colors. The leaves turning yellow and auburn, and a crisp coolness in the wind reminds us why fall in Indiana is a special time of year. It's also a great time to get outside with the family and explore nearby state parks, which offer a lot of fun activities for all ages.

At Whitewater Memorial State Park in Liberty, you can take a scenic drive, stop by the picnic areas or cast a line along Whitewater Lake. If you're looking for things to do with the family, at 4 p.m. on Oct. 7, the park will host the "Amazing Amphibians" event where you can learn more about what Indiana's cold-blooded creatures are doing this time of year, and at 6 p.m. you can attend the "Nocturnal Critters" event to learn about why some animals stay up all night. Both events will be hosted at the Campground Playground in Loop B. Check out the full event calendar at in.gov/dnr/state-parks and click on "events."
Another prime location to catch Indiana's fall foliage is Clifty Falls State Park near Madison. This area near the Ohio River offers something for outdoor newcomers to the well-seasoned, including a variety of trails. As Halloween approaches, the park will host their Clifty Falls of Fear Haunted House from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 27-29 at the Clifty Shelter. Admission is $10.

Versailles State Park will also host two Halloween Spooktaculars in late October, featuring a pumpkin decorating contest, costume judging and trick or treating. Recently, Brown County State Park, Indiana's largest state park and nicknamed "Little Smokies," ranked 3^rd best state park in the nation for its fall foliage by the New York Travel Guide. The park offers a wide range of fall activities, including a Fall Color Hike, Snake Meet and Greet, Leaf Rubbing and more.

 To get information on events and park passes, Hoosiers can go to in.gov/dnr/state-parks or visit any of the 36 state parks and purchase either a day pass or get a $50 annual entrance pass, which covers a noncommercial vehicle, including the driver and all passengers. Additionally, lake permits can also be purchased from the DNR website.

Before heading outside, make sure to download the DNR app to see maps of state parks and other DNR properties, information on events and programs, and notifications about important weather and safety alerts.

This is a beautiful time of year, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of Indiana's outdoors and spend time with friends and family. To learn more about Indiana's state parks, visit in.gov/dnr.