Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will conduct a shoreline restoration project at Cooney State Park from April 6 to May 13 to repair damage from 2022 flooding. Marshall Cove and Red Lodge campgrounds will experience closures and restrictions, while Cottonwood Campground remains available for visitors.
Arkansas State Parks announced the opening of the one-mile Owl Pass Trail at Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock. The accessible paved multi-use trail connects the West Summit Day-Use Area to the Arkansas Arboretum and welcomes walkers, runners, cyclists, and users of track chairs, wheelchairs, and mobile scooters.
Pokagon State Park is hosting an Easter egg hunt for children up to age 10 on Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at the Upper CCC Shelter Lawn. The event, sponsored by the Steuben County Tourism Bureau, features three age groups with golden eggs redeemable for prize baskets.
Nebraska Game and Parks reminds guests that a temporary campfire ban remains at all state park areas and wildlife management areas following Gov. Jim Pillen's extension of the statewide burn ban through April 10. Camp stoves using liquid or gas fuel are permitted as alternatives.
Chewacla State Park in Auburn, Alabama unveiled an 8,500-square-foot Event Center designed to host corporate retreats, weddings, and community celebrations. Funded by Alabama's $85 million bond issue for parks approved in 2022, the facility features modern amenities including slide-up doors, audio-visual capabilities, and food truck hook-ups.
Pictograph Cave State Park is hosting its fourth annual Earth Day Celebration from April 16-19, featuring an art show, sale by local artists, and performances by speakers, historians, poets, and musicians celebrating the historic site's natural and cultural significance.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will complete a shoreline restoration project at Cooney State Park this spring from April 6 to May 13 to repair damage from the June 2022 Yellowstone River flooding. The project will stabilize eroded shoreline at Marshall Cove and Red Lodge campgrounds using rock riprap and gravel while maintaining visitor access to the popular 733-acre reservoir.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park hosts a full moon hike on April 1 led by ranger Andy Keller. The three-mile guided hike begins at 7 p.m., features sunset and moonrise views, and includes park history. A $4 fee and advance registration are required.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators are offering spring events including Birds of a Feather birding programs at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park on April 7 and 21, a virtual "Science of" ferns webinar on April 9, and a Wise and Wild bird mist-netting program on April 14 for ages 55 and up.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources delayed traffic signal installation at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park to March 30. The two-week project is part of an $8.5 million enhancement funded by American Rescue Plan relief, with the signal operating in flashing mode before full activation in late April.
Lash's Seafood, operated by owners Brenda and Tim Dison, now serves as the official restaurant at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, Alabama. The waterfront restaurant offers fresh seafood, steaks, and other dishes Thursday through Sunday, with plans for expansion including a tiki-style hut for boaters and live local music.
Travelers' Rest State Park near Lolo is marking its 25th anniversary with a public open house on March 31 and 25 events throughout the year. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Travelers' Rest Connection, supported by grants from Montana 250 Grant Program, Americana Corner's Preserving America Grant, and Park Side Credit Union, are celebrating this historic site's preservation of Lewis and Clark Expedition heritage and Native American culture.
Pokagon State Park is hosting an Easter egg hunt for children up to age 10 on Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at the Upper CCC Shelter Lawn. The event, sponsored by the Steuben County Tourism Bureau, features three age groups with prize baskets for golden egg winners.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering free April education events including Birds of a Feather birding programs at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, a virtual "Science of" ferns webinar, and Wise and Wild programs for ages 55 and up at the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
Indiana received $1 million in funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. to purchase 45 track chairs for all state parks, making Indiana the national leader in accessibility. Governor Mike Braun and DNR Director Alan Morrison announced the initiative to help visitors with limited mobility safely explore trails.
The Schramm Education Center in Gretna offers April programming including Little Saplings nature discovery for young children, Earth Day and Arbor Day celebrations, a Spring Beginner Birding Hike, and Homeschool Hikes featuring Mushroom Madness. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and ages 4-12.
The Wildcat Hills Nature Center offers free April programming including a preschool program on April 14 and homeschool program on April 16, both featuring themes about pollinators, flowers, and Earth Day for children ages 2 and up.
Nebraska Game and Parks has implemented an immediate temporary ban on campfires at all state park areas and wildlife management areas due to dry conditions and high winds. Camp stoves using liquid or gas fuel remain permitted, while prescribed burns are temporarily halted.
Arkansas State Parks invites residents to explore 52 state parks across the state this Spring Break, offering free admission and activities including hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Lodging options range from full-service lodges and cabins to yurts and camping sites, with Secretary Shea Lewis highlighting the accessible outdoor experiences available throughout the Natural State.
The Michigan DNR invites public input on a natural resource stewardship plan for Hartwick Pines State Park in Crawford County. A public meeting is scheduled for March 24 at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, with an online survey available through April 15. The plan addresses protection and ecological restoration of 13 natural community types, including fire-dependent habitats.