MITCHELL — Spring Mill State Park is offering plenty of opportunities for visitors to get outdoors, explore the park and learn more about Indiana’s natural environment with a series of programs scheduled throughout the remainder of August.
The upcoming activities include family-friendly crafts, wildlife programs, nighttime hiking and several opportunities to explore the park’s trails and unique natural features.
The schedule kicks off with Story and Craft on Friday, August 21, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lakeview Activity Center. Participants will hear a story about an Indiana animal before creating a craft to take home.
On Saturday, August 22, visitors can learn more about the signs animals leave behind during Seat and Track, scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon. The program will focus on how to identify evidence of wildlife, followed by a craft activity. It will also be held at the Lakeview Activity Center.
Later that day, visitors can put their bug-catching skills to the test during a Bug Catching Contest from noon to 1 p.m. Participants will have 30 minutes to compete, with nets and cans available while supplies last. Those who have their own equipment are welcome to bring it.
The park will then turn its attention to the night sky with a Full Sturgeon Moon Hike on Friday, August 28, at 9 p.m. The two-mile hike will follow Trail 4 and begin at the Spring Mill Inn. Participants are required to bring a red flashlight, although flashlights will be available to borrow from the park.
For those looking for a more challenging outdoor experience, Shawnee Cave Hike will take place Saturday, August 29, beginning at 10 a.m. The three-mile rugged hike will explore four caves within the Shawnee Cave System, including Donaldson, Bronson and the Twin Caves.
The hike begins at Spring Mill Inn, and participants should come prepared for rugged terrain. Water and durable shoes are recommended, and the route includes staircases.
Also on August 29, visitors can learn more about Indiana’s reptiles and amphibians during a Reptiles and Amphibians program from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Lakeview Activity Center. The program will explore reptiles and amphibians found in Indiana and their role in the state’s ecosystems.
The month’s programs will wrap up Sunday, August 30, with Ghosts of the Old Woods, scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon.
The program will examine three tree species that once dominated Indiana’s forests and explore the marks those trees left behind on the landscape. Participants will meet at Spring Mill Inn before embarking on a 2.5-mile rugged hike along Trail 3.
With activities ranging from crafts and wildlife education to cave exploration and nighttime hiking, the upcoming schedule offers something for a variety of ages and interests.
Spring Mill State Park is located at 3333 IN-60 E. in Mitchell. Visitors interested in participating in the upcoming programs are encouraged to check with the park for any additional details, requirements or potential changes to the schedule.
Whether visitors are interested in learning about Indiana wildlife, exploring caves or simply spending some time on the trails, the final weeks of August provide plenty of reasons to get outside at Spring Mill State Park.
