DNR celebrates centennial parks with challenges, links in story

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM

By Staff report

Indiana State Parks are celebrating their history by creating centennial challenges at the five parks that have been around for over 100 years.

The five Indiana State Parks holding the challenges are:

McCormick’s Creek State Park - Owen County – est. 1916 (oldest state park in Indiana)
Turkey Run State Park - Parke County – est. 1916
Clifty Falls State Park - Jefferson County – est. 1920
Pokagon State Park - Steuben County – est. 1925
Indiana Dunes State Park - Porter County – est. 1925

The Indiana Parks system was established in 1916, originally as a centennial gift to Hoosiers. The challenges are being set up to kick off the 100th anniversary of Indiana Dunes State Park and Pokagon State Park. Each challenge explores the history of each of the park’s natural resources before it was turned into a park and explores important historical structures and stories. Guests who complete a challenge will receive a special sticker unique to each park.

The instructions for each challenge can be found at this website. You can also explore the history of Indiana State Parks in relation to Indiana history at this link.