The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers numerous opportunities around the state to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with four July 4 fireworks displays leading the way.
“Hoosiers have always taken pride in celebrating our nation’s story, and there’s no better place to honor America’s 250th birthday than in our state parks,” said Governor Mike Braun. “We invite everyone to gather with family and friends, enjoy the beauty of Indiana’s outdoors, and celebrate this historic milestone together.”
There’s still time to reserve a campsite with DNR State Parks this Independence Day weekend. Several electric campsites remain available at Brookville Lake and Deam Lake as well as at Brown County, Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Lincoln, and O’Bannon Woods state parks. Many other parks have non-electric or primitive sites open, too. Book your last-minute stay at www.Camp.IN.gov until the moment you head out the door (by 11 p.m. ET on your intended arrival date.)
Regardless of whether you’re camping there, Patoka Lake, Pokagon State Park, Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon State Recreation Area), and Versailles State Park offer the chance to put a boom in your celebration.
• Thunder over Patoka is a waterfront fireworks show presented by Patoka Lake Area Year round (PLAY). Activities begin around 6:30 p.m., and fireworks start at dark, around 10 p.m., choreographed to music available via WITZ FM 104.7 Best viewing spots are the Patoka Beach area, on a boat, or from nearby ramps on the water, as well as Section C in the Modern Campground. More about Patoka Lake is at on.IN.gov/patokalake.
• At Pokagon, bring your blankets or lawn chairs to the Potawatomi Inn lawn to watch the fireworks display over Lake James at dusk, about 10 p.m. The fireworks are fully funded by donations to the Lakes Recreation Association. More about Pokagon is at on.IN.gov/pokagon.
• At Raccoon SRA, fireworks also start around 10 p.m. The fireworks are paid for by contributions from the community collected by the Bellmore Volunteer Fire Department, which puts on the show. They will be launched from South Point near South Beach Shelter House in view of the beach, Hilltop, Harden, Raccoon and North shelters and the William Hill Picnic Area. Come early as parking will fill up quickly. More about Raccoon SRA is at on.IN.gov/raccoonsra.
• Versailles State Park offers free entry from 7 to 9 p.m. so you can grab your favorite viewing spot and get ready for a fireworks show lighting up the lake at 10 p.m. Bring your family, your blankets, and claim your favorite spot by the water for an unforgettable night under the stars. More about Versailles is at on.IN.gov/versailles.
If you’re looking to celebrate by some other means in addition to or instead of fireworks, consider these opportunities. All activities take place on July 4 unless otherwise noted.
• Chain O’Lakes State Park: Meet at the Campground Interpretive Area on July 3 at 9 p.m. for Nature’s Fireworks, a program about fireflies. On July 4, a patriotic bike parade will take place at the campground interpretive area at 9:30 a.m. From 1 to 3 p.m., tie dye a white cotton item in patriotic colors. For more information see on.IN.gov/chainolakes.
• Indiana Dunes State Park: Meet a naturalist at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. CT for an easy 1.5-mile history walk about the Revolutionary War battle at the Dunes. For more information see on.IN.gov/indianadunes.
• Monroe Lake: Decorate Fourth of July frisbees from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the campground playground. At 7 p.m., paint a night sky of fireworks. For more information see on.IN.gov/monroelake.
• Lieber SRA: The Friends of Lieber volunteers and park staff will host a patriotic ice cream social from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nature Center. For more information see on.IN.gov/caglesmill.
• Ouabache State Park: The park is having a patriotic campsite decorating contest. Prizes will be given away for the top two winners. For more information see on.IN.gov/ouabache.
• O’Bannon Woods State Park: The park will have several Fourth of July activities at its 1800s Living Pioneer Farmstead, including an 1850s haypress demonstration at 1 p.m. For more information, see on.IN.gov/obannonwoods.
• Prophetstown SP: The Farm at Prophetstown State Park will have a cookout with yard games and a sprinkler from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, see on.IN.gov/prophetstown.
• Raccoon SRA: The annual Fourth of July Big Bang Cornhole Tournament will begin with registration at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per team. For more information, see on.IN.gov/raccoonsra.
• Spring Mill State Park: The park will host its Old Fashioned Independence Weekend beginning with activities at 10 a.m. The schedule will be posted on bulletin boards and chalkboards throughout the park. “Abraham Lincoln” will speak at the Meeting House at 12:45 p.m., July 5. For more information, see on.IN.gov/springmillsp
Watch individual state park Facebook pages for any updates or changes based on weather in the days before each event.