INDIANA – As the unofficial start of summer approaches, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is actively seeking to hire and certify lifeguards to ensure the safety of visitors at numerous state park swimming locations.
With public swim spots scheduled to open for the Memorial Day weekend, the DNR is encouraging individuals aged 15 and older to apply for these crucial positions.
The following state park locations are currently seeking lifeguards:
- Indiana Dunes State Park (beach)
- Brown County State Park (pool)
- Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber State Recreation Area) (pool)
- Clifty Falls State Park (pool)
- McCormick’s Creek State Park (pool)
- O’Bannon Woods State Park (aquatic center)
- Prophetstown State Park (aquatic center)
- Shakamak State Park (pool)
- Spring Mill State Park (pool)
- Turkey Run State Park (pool)
- Versailles State Park (pool)
The pools listed above, along with the beach at Indiana Dunes State Park, will operate on a limited schedule initially, open Saturday through Monday, May 24-26, and Saturday and Sunday, May 31-June 1. Daily operations will then commence from June 7 through August 1.
Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the state park closest to them to inquire about available lifeguard certification courses. Phone numbers for each property can be found under the “find a park” section on the DNR website, where additional information about lifeguard positions can also be found by clicking here.
While lifeguard positions are essential for supervised swimming areas, the DNR also announced the opening dates for other public beaches across the state. The following beaches will open for swimming on Memorial Day weekend and remain open through Labor Day weekend:
- Brookville Lake/Whitewater Memorial State Park
- Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber SRA)
- Cecil M. Harden (Raccoon SRA)
- Chain O’Lakes State Park
- Deam Lake SRA
- Ferdinand State Forest
- Hardy Lake
- Mississinewa Lake
- Monroe Lake
- Ouabache State Park
- Patoka Lake
- Pokagon State Park
- Potato Creek State Park
- Salamonie Lake
- Starve Hollow SRA
- Summit Lake State Park
Visitors should note that the beach at Lincoln State Park will close after the Fourth of July weekend due to lowered lake levels for dam maintenance. However, the aquatic center at Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park and the pools at Clifty Inn, Potawatomi Inn, and Turkey Run Inn will continue to welcome guests throughout the season.
Beginning August 1, the pools and the beach at Indiana Dunes State Park are anticipated to return to weekend-only operations.
The Indiana DNR emphasizes the importance of water safety and encourages anyone interested in becoming a certified lifeguard to contact their local state park. These positions offer a valuable opportunity to contribute to public safety while enjoying the natural beauty of Indiana’s state parks.
