The summer travel season is upon us, and that means Visit Indiana Week is near! This year, travelers who check in at one of 59 locations on the Indiana State Nature Passport between May 1-7 can win prizes. To kick off the week, Indiana DNR is offering free admission to all state parks and free fishing (without a fishing license) in public waters on Sunday, May 2. There has never been a better time to get out and explore.
All week during Visit Indiana Week, visitors will be eligible for prizes when they check in using the Indiana State Nature Passport. At the end of the week, one person will win the grand prize, a 2022 State Parks Pass, a $50 gift card for camping, and a subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine. Visitors who donate to the DNR Foundation throughout the month will also earn a free check-in.
Participants already get prizes for visiting multiple properties over the course of the year, including sunglasses after visiting 10 properties, a water bottle after visiting 25 properties, a hat after visiting 40 properties, and a backpack after trips to all 59 properties on the passport! If a person visits all 81 locations, they will receive a custom passport completion pin and qualify for special grand prize giveaways throughout the year. All prizes are available while supplies last.
During the month of May, all passport users have the chance to get credit for one check-in with an unrestricted donation of $10 or more to the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, which supports the conservation and development of Indiana's DNR properties. The INRF works with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to identify the greatest conservation needs, adventurous outdoor education opportunities, and new ways to introduce Hoosiers to nature by providing exciting outdoor recreation opportunities.
May 1 is also the first of four Free Fishing Days of the year. On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents can fish the state’s public waters without a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp. This is a great time to try fishing for the first time. For public places to fish near you, visit the Where to Fish Map on DNR’s website. All size and bag limits are still in effect.
I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream. Our state has incredible frozen treats, from monster sundaes to an array of bountiful flavors. And throughout the month of May, anyone who checks in to the Culinary Trails Passport to members on the I Scream for Ice Cream Trail™️ is eligible to win a gift card from one of the trails stops courtesy of Indiana Foodways Alliance.