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.
Rickwood Caverns State Park in Alabama opened a new access road connecting to Poplar Road near Interstate 65 Exit 287, built in partnership with the Blount County Commission. The park also unveiled a state-of-the-art accessible playground funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham through the Alabama State Parks Foundation.
Missouri Headwaters State Park and Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park in southwestern Montana are hosting free summer events including guest speakers, guided hikes, and educational programs. Featured speakers include Rob Quist, Buck Buchanan, Matt Bell, Ken Sinay, Claire Kirk, Nancy Milewski, Lea Frye, Scott Bealer, Louise Fischer, Katherine Hodge, Franco Littlelight, and Sam Neider.
The Iowa State Parks Passport returns in 2026 featuring nearly 60 state parks and forests. Visitors can download the app, check into parks to earn points toward prizes including camping discounts, koozies, and tote bags, plus enter a sweepstakes. As you explore Iowa state parks and forests, you can submit beautiful and iconic park photos into our photo contest for a chance to be featured on social media.
Friends of Clear Lake State Park hosts a Geocache 101 presentation on June 20 at 11 a.m., covering hiding, finding, trackables, and path tags. New geocaches will be released throughout the park during the event. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Southern Michigan state parks are hosting volunteer stewardship workdays throughout June at seven locations including Bald Mountain Recreation Area, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Warren Dunes State Park, Highland Recreation Area, Muskegon State Park, Waterloo Recreation Area, and Yankee Springs Recreation Area. Volunteers can help remove invasive species like garlic mustard, barberry, and autumn olive.
Dave Caserio, a local writer and educator, is leading a writing workshop at Pictograph Cave State Park on June 20 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will use observations of the natural world and the area's historical, cultural, and geological background to create works in any writing genre.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana DNR celebrated playground updates across 43 state parks funded by a $50 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., with $11 million specifically invested in playgrounds. Sixteen installations are complete, five more by early June, and the remainder by fall 2026.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds visitors to swim only in buoyed swim areas and follow the Great Lakes flag warning system at state parks. The DNR has also implemented additional safety measures at west Michigan parks, including electronic warning systems at Grand Haven State Park, life rings, ResQmax line throwers, and an EMILY rescue robot at Ludington State Park.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park and SkyWindWorld Inc. will host the annual Buffalo Kite Festival on June 13-14 near Ulm, Montana. The free family event features buffalo-themed kites created by Terry Zee Lee and Native American artists, with opportunities to create and fly kites.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Allegan County Parks, Recreation and Tourism invite the public to a guided lupine bloom and Karner blue butterfly walk at Allegan State Game Area on June 6. Participants will explore Michigan's rare oak savanna habitat and learn about the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly from a DNR wildlife biologist.
Alabama State Parks has entered a 10-year concession agreement with Guest Services Inc. to manage lodging and hospitality operations at Lake Guntersville State Park and Cheaha State Park. GSI will oversee lodge operations, cabins, food and beverage services, and guest services while Alabama State Parks retains ownership and manages campgrounds and natural resources.
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park will reopen for the 2026 season with cave tours available May 1 through September 30. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance through the Montana FWP website or by phone at 1-855-922-6768. The park offers Paradise and Classic tours, camping, hiking, and interpretive programs.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Rosebud on June 17 at Rosebud Battlefield State Park. The event will honor the Northern Cheyenne victory and include tribal participation, reenactments, ceremonies, and historical demonstrations.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park in Great Falls hosts a family-friendly Outdoor Extravaganza on May 30, featuring trail stewardship with the Stew Crew, a presentation by Dan "The Snake Man" Waitt about Montana snakes, weekly Jump Talk by park staff, and a Blue Moon & Sunset Hike.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced traffic circulation improvements and a dedicated two-way cycle track at Belle Isle Park based on the 2025 multimodal mobility plan. Central Avenue will transition to two-way traffic, and a new bicycle loop will allow cyclists to circle the island without crossing vehicle lanes.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invites campers to complete a survey about their camping experiences in Nebraska State Parks from June 1-15. The survey will gather feedback on camping frequency, travel distance, reservations, and preferences to inform future park improvements and planning.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will lift the Tuesday-Wednesday no-camping restriction for Memorial Day week, allowing overnight camping May 26-27 on Wildlife Management Areas that normally have this two-day restriction.
Nebraska Game and Parks offers camping tips for Memorial Day weekend, including purchasing permits through OutdoorNebraska.gov, checking for campfire bans, practicing campfire safety, wearing life jackets, and observing quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in state park campgrounds.