Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, IN, may be the smallest state park, but the history and impact of this land is enormous! Come with me on a journey through time as we learn about the stories of the fossils, George Rogers Clark, the Underground Railroad, and more. You'll also learn what's going on with the park today as well as hear more rock puns than you wanted!

Be sure to visit Falls of the Ohio Foundation where you can check out the webcam to get a good idea of whether or not the fossil beds are exposed. Also be sure to look at Alan’s fossil brochure with pictures of the fossils. If paleontology camp sounds fun, here's info on it.

I've known general information about Hannah Toliver for a while, but it was wonderful to find her historic marker about a mile away from Falls of the Ohio. I was greatly helped by a presentation at Falls of the Ohio about Guinea Bottoms and the Underground Railroad that you may want to see in its entirety.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Hear about the State of the State Parks from Indiana's director of the Department of Natural Resources, Dan Bortner. This governor-appointed position gets to shape and guide the priorities of the administration, which means for the past four years, Dan has had a front row seat to exciting initiatives like the Unity Blaze, Next Level Trails, planting one million trees, building a new lodge at Potato Creek State Park, and so much more!

In this episode, Dan shares about his lifelong love for Indiana's state parks, what he's proud of accomplishing over the past four years, and what Hoosiers have to look forward to in 2025 and beyond.

If you're interested, learn more about Indiana's Unity Blaze initiative or the Black Folks Camp Too organization.

Any mistakes are my own.

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In nearly every episode, you've heard from the state park's interpretive naturalist. But what exactly is that job? In a word, they're storytellers. Listen to find out why I think this may be THE most important job in the state parks! You'll get to hear about the woman who started it all, why white tennis shoes are important, who was the state's top interpretive naturalist in 2024 (hint: we met her already this season!), and what it takes to be an interpretive naturalist. You'll hear a few familiar voices from past episodes and meet a couple new women who oversee the work at the state level. I loved talking with all of them!

Plus, don't forget to take advantage of these holiday deals! Buy a vintage, 1930s-inspired poster of a favorite Indiana state park, national park, lake, or small town from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS. (FYI: Orders will arrive after Christmas.)

And you'll definitely get a good night’s sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15%.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Travel to Versailles State Park in southeast Indiana where you'll learn about the incredibly supportive family culture the staff has that extends to everyone who visits the park. And this place is an outdoorsy person's dream! You've got mountain biking, hiking, and horse trails plus a lake for boating, kayaking, and fishing! There's also camping, history, and a supportive community that welcomes guests into the family. The pool is perfect in the summer and you can't beat the leaf gazing in the fall!

Mountain bikers, be sure to learn more about SIMBA and how to get involved with their work. And definitely look into Hassmer Fest! Hikers and trail fans should learn more about Mammoth March. See you at the 20 mile hike on June 28, 2025! If you're in the area, you definitely want to join the Friends of Versailles State Park.

Don't forget to take advantage of these holiday deals! Buy a vintage, 1930s-inspired poster of a favorite Indiana state park, national park, lake, or small town from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS.

And you'll definitely get a good night’s sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15% on a pillow or mattress.

Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's visit an Indiana State Parks fan favorite: Clifty Falls State Park! Clifty Falls is another beauty and is well-loved for its history, hiking, and waterfalls. Oh, and the bats! In this episode, you'll see what it means to be a good neighbor thanks to the actions of the city of Madison and the Friends of Clifty Falls volunteer group. From battling invasive plants to finding new ways to offer accessibility, Clifty Falls is supported by a variety of people who love it. And yes, we'll learn about an Indiana bat species too since they live in Brough's Tunnel in the park.

If you’d like to learn more about the Friends of Clifty Falls, including becoming a member or volunteering, visit their website or Facebook page. On the DNR website, you can also Report A Mammal to track park populations or use the Sick or Dead Wildlife Reporting site. (Please note, that is not for roadkill or animals hit by cars.)

This episode also covers Clifty Inn, chimney swifts (a kind of bird), and the CCC impact. Plus, save the dates for women's hiking events and the Vintage Camper Rally which happens yearly at the end of June!

If you’re hungry for some ice cream after your time at Clifty Falls, be sure to visit Chillbilly Treats. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Come back to Prophetstown State Park with me and enjoy time at The Farm, a non-profit in the park that tells the story of Indiana farm life in the 1920s. The Farm at Prophetstown is an ideal spot for a Third Place. Never heard of the term "Third Place" before? That’s okay; neither had I! So listen and learn along with me.

You’ll also hear about their farm-to-table dinners, all the animals, the farmhouse, tenant house, blacksmith shop, and windmill. Whether you’re interested in raising chickens, want to remember what your great-grandfather’s house was like, or want some outdoor fun, The Farm at Prophetstown is the place to be!

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Fall in love with the prairie, farms, and Indiana history at Prophetstown State Park. While most Indiana state parks have ravines, woods, and maybe even a waterfall, Prophetstown is all about the expansive prairie full of wildflowers, tall grasses, birds, rivers, and farms. This land has been loved and developed for thousands of years and been shaped by ice, water, fire, and human hands.

Be sure you also check out The Farm at Prophetstown. If you want to learn more about mussels and see the aquariums they cleaned, visit Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. To learn more about Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh, I recommend listening to a couple episodes of Talking Hoosier History by the Indiana Historical Bureau. There are two episodes: The Making of a Prophet and The Rise and Fall of a Nation.

If you’re hungry for some ice cream after your time at Prophetstown, be sure to visit The Igloo Frozen Custard. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.

Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.