MyDNR – Embrace the Season: Winter Activities Await (Dec 22 2025)
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrated the holiday season with announcements about outdoor activities and special offers. Key highlights included:
- 2026 state park passes and permits: Resident annual entrance passes cost $50; Golden Hoosier passports for residents age 65+ cost $25. Passes, lake permits, off‑road cycling permits and horse tags were available at property offices, gates and online.
- First Day Hike on New Year’s Day: DNR invited visitors to join guided hikes at state parks and lakes on January 1 to start the new year in nature.
- Christmas Eve buffet: State park inns offered a buffet on December 24 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., featuring fried chicken, roast pork loin, mashed potatoes, salads and desserts; reservations were recommended.
- State Park Holiday Gift Pack: For $102.99, the gift pack included a 2026 resident annual entrance pass, a $65 gift card usable at state park inns/campgrounds and a one‑year subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine. The offer was available through December 31 and could be adapted for seniors and nonresidents.
- 2‑for‑1 winter special: At State Park Inns, guests staying Sunday through Wednesday could get a second consecutive night free. The promotion ran through February 26 2026 with blackout dates of Dec 21 2025 – Jan 1 2026.
- Durable license card contest winners: DNR announced winners of the second durable license card design contest across categories such as fish art, wild turkey photography, frog photography and deer photography, selected from roughly 450 entries.
- Volunteer opportunities: Readers were encouraged to serve on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service; the DNR provided a volunteer sign‑up website and email contact.
- Winter fishing guidance: The email promoted the “Where To Fish” map and provided a video on ice‑fishing safety.
- Indiana Natural Resources Foundation reflection: A year‑end reflection recounted projects such as outdoor education programs, forest expansion and habitat improvements. Readers were invited to contribute to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund, noting that every $50 donated yields an additional $93 in matching funds.
- Master Naturalist classes: Winter and spring Indiana Master Naturalist (IMN) courses were open for registration, offering hands‑on experiences in nature.
- Deer Management Survey: Hunters could opt in to a deer management survey that covers topics such as 2025 epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) events; past participants were automatically enrolled.
- Greene‑Sullivan mine reclamation award: DNR received a regional award for reclaiming mine land near Pleasantville; the project restored oak savanna, prairie and wetland habitats.
- Outdoor Indiana magazine: The winter issue featured a 2026 calendar and articles on Indiana’s ancient earthworks, with subscription information provided.
The email concluded with donation appeals and reminders to explore Indiana’s natural resources.
MyDNR – Bringing Holiday Excitement to the Great Outdoors (Nov 25 2025)
In late November the DNR promoted holiday activities and shopping ideas:
- Gift ideas: The Indiana state parks store offered branded merchandise and gift certificates for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Holiday Gift Pack: Similar to the December email, DNR marketed the 2026 Holiday Gift Pack with an annual entrance pass, $65 gift card and Outdoor Indiana subscription.
- 2‑for‑1 savings: From November 30 2025 through February 26 2026, State Park Inns offered a second free night on stays Sunday–Wednesday, with blackout dates Dec 21 2025 – Jan 1 2026.
- Lincoln Amphitheatre expansion: DNR highlighted the completion of an expansion at Lincoln Amphitheatre that earned a construction award.
- Muzzleloader deer season: A section on “Black powder traditions” reminded hunters of the muzzleloader deer season running December 6–21 and referred readers to the hunting and trapping guide for regulations.
- Pokagon toboggan run: The popular toboggan run at Pokagon State Park opened on November 28, offering a unique winter thrill ride.
- Holiday light displays: Five DNR properties hosted holiday light displays through December with schedules provided; participating sites included Ouabache, Mounds, Spring Mill, Lieber SRA and Versailles state parks.
- Smallmouth bass fishing tips: Anglers were encouraged to target deep, slow currents with dark jigs for winter smallmouth bass and to use the “Where To Fish” map.
- Christmas Eve meal: State park inns offered a Christmas Eve meal with holiday favorites, and reservations were strongly recommended.
- Naturally wild news: The email linked to the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation fall newsletter and appealed for donations to support conservation projects and the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Throughout the newsletter, the DNR encouraged readers to enjoy Indiana’s parks during the holiday season and support conservation efforts.