McCormick's Creek State Park

11/02/2025

November Naturalist Program Schedule

Offered Every Sunday
10:30 am: Turtle Feeding- Come see our local red-eared slider hunt for fish. This program is held at the Canyon Inn.

2 pm: Cold Blooded Buffet – Hop and slither to the Nature Center to see our resident reptiles chow down on bugs and mice. Learn cool facts about Indiana's native amphibians and reptiles.

Sunday, November 2nd
12 pm: Snake Talk- (Animal Show) Slither on over to the Canyon Inn Lawn to learn about the longest snake of North America and the strongest predatory snake in Indiana. Naturalist Kaitlyn will introduce you to our snake ambassadors in this live animal program.

Week 2
Friday, November 7th
2-3 pm: 13 Full Moon Cycle- (Craft) Did you know that you can track the full moons on a turtle’s shell? Stop in the Nature Center to create your own full moon calendar and meet our resident turtles, who will show you how to track the full moon cycle on their shells.

Saturday, November 8th
2 pm: Indentitree- (Hike) Join Naturalist Katilyn in front of the Nature Center to take a short hike on our new Echo Canyon Trail to learn tree identification. This is a great beginner, kid friendly hike to introduce you to leaf identification.

Sunday, November 9th
3 pm-4 pm: Stick Bugs- (Craft) You may never see them in the wild, but you’ll know they are always close. Come meet our stick bugs in the Nature Center Exhibit Hall and create one to take home.

Week 3
Friday, November 14th
2 pm: Wild Turkey- (Craft) Come learn why Ben Franklin believed the wild turkey should have been our symbolic national bird. Make a wild turkey suncatcher at the Nature Center by using melted crayon shavings to celebrate the uniquely beautiful feathers of this native bird.

Saturday, November 15th
7 pm: Star Gazing- (Astronomy) Meet Naturalist Kaitlyn for a night under the stars at the Canyon Inn fire pit. We will roast marshmallows and enjoy s’mores, take a short hike, and lay under the stars to learn about constellation mythology. Bring a blanket and a flashlight.

Sunday, November 16th
3 pm: Indentitree- (Hike) Join Naturalist Katilyn in front of the Nature Center to take a short hike on our new Echo Canyon Trail to learn tree identification. This is a great beginner, kid friendly hike to introduce you to bark identification now that the leaves have dropped for winter.

Week 4
Friday, November 21st
2 pm: Animal Footprint Field Guide- (Nature Journaling) Come create your own animal tracks field guide to help you track animals in the snow or mud. This program is great for all ages. Meet Naturalist Jessica in the Nature Center Auditorium to create your own guide!

Saturday, November 22nd
2 pm: Camp Fire Building 101- (Outdoor Skills) This kid friendly event will teach basic techniques to build a campfire and fire safety. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn at the Nature Center Amphitheater for a survival skills program.

Sunday, November 23rd
3-4 pm: Turkey Pinecones- (Craft) Did you know Wild Turkey have powerful legs and can run up to 25 miles per hour? Come to the Nature Center to learn more about wild turkeys and create one to take home.

Week 5
Friday, November 28th
Opt-Outside Day
11 am: Fire Tower Hike- (Hike) Join Naturalist Kaitlyn in front of the Canyon Inn to begin our 1.4-mile hike through the woods to learn about Civilian Conservation Corp history and how it helped provide money to families during the Great Depression. On this hike you will have a choice to summit to the top of the Fire Tower.

Saturday, November 29th
10 am-12:30 pm: Wolf Cave Hike- (Hike) Are you curious what a tornado can do in 30 seconds? Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about the impact of the tornado to Wolf Cave. This hike is 2.8 miles and will have the option to go through Wolf Cave. Please bring a flashlight and wear closed toed shoes. Wolf Cave is wet and has tight spaces! We will begin this hike at the Nature Center.

Sunday, November 30th
3:30 pm: Squirrel Craft- (Hike) Join Naturalist Kaitlyn at Nature Center to create a furry friend to take home.

Nature Center Hours
Open Thursday-Monday 9:30 am- 5 pm
Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays
on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp

10/29/2025

November Naturalist Program Schedule

Offered Every Sunday
10:30 am: Turtle Feeding- Come see our local red-eared slider hunt for fish. This program is held at the Canyon Inn.

2 pm: Cold Blooded Buffet – Hop and slither to the Nature Center to see our resident reptiles chow down on bugs and mice. Learn cool facts about Indiana's native amphibians and reptiles.

Saturday, November 1st
2 pm: Fossil Discovery and Geology Hike- (Hike) Take a trip back in time to when Indiana was an ocean floor! Learn about ancient creatures from the skeletons they left behind in the limestone. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn on a rugged hike on Trail 3. We will scrabble through rocks in the creek to learn about fossils older than dinosaurs and how the canyon was formed and altered over geological history. We begin our 0.8-mile hike in front of the Canyon Inn. Wear Shoes you don’t mind getting wet!

Sunday, November 2nd
12 pm: Snake Talk- (Animal Show) Slither on over to the Canyon Inn Lawn to learn about the longest snake of North America and the strongest predatory snake in Indiana. Naturalist Kaitlyn will introduce you to our snake ambassadors in this live animal program.

Week 2
Friday, November 7th
2-3 pm: 13 Full Moon Cycle- (Craft) Did you know that you can track the full moons on a turtle’s shell? Stop in the Nature Center to create your own full moon calendar and meet our resident turtles, who will show you how to track the full moon cycle on their shells.

Saturday, November 8th
2 pm: Indentitree- (Hike) Join Naturalist Katilyn in front of the Nature Center to take a short hike on our new Echo Canyon Trail to learn tree identification. This is a great beginner, kid friendly hike to introduce you to leaf identification.

Sunday, November 9th
3 pm-4 pm: Stick Bugs- (Craft) You may never see them in the wild, but you’ll know they are always close. Come meet our stick bugs in the Nature Center Exhibit Hall and create one to take home.

Week 3
Friday, November 14th
2 pm: Wild Turkey- (Craft) Come learn why Ben Franklin believed the wild turkey should have been our symbolic national bird. Make a wild turkey suncatcher at the Nature Center by using melted crayon shavings to celebrate the uniquely beautiful feathers of this native bird.

Saturday, November 15th
7 pm: Star Gazing- (Astronomy) Meet Naturalist Kaitlyn for a night under the stars at the Canyon Inn fire pit. We will roast marshmallows and enjoy s’mores, take a short hike, and lay under the stars to learn about constellation mythology. Bring a blanket and a flashlight.

Sunday, November 16th
3 pm: Indentitree- (Hike) Join Naturalist Katilyn in front of the Nature Center to take a short hike on our new Echo Canyon Trail to learn tree identification. This is a great beginner, kid friendly hike to introduce you to bark identification now that the leaves have dropped for winter.

Week 4
Friday, November 21st
2 pm: Animal Footprint Field Guide- (Nature Journaling) Come create your own animal tracks field guide to help you track animals in the snow or mud. This program is great for all ages. Meet Naturalist Jessica in the Nature Center Auditorium to create your own guide!

Saturday, November 22nd
2 pm: Camp Fire Building 101- (Outdoor Skills) This kid friendly event will teach basic techniques to build a campfire and fire safety. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn at the Nature Center Amphitheater for a survival skills program.

Sunday, November 23rd
3-4 pm: Turkey Pinecones- (Craft) Did you know Wild Turkey have powerful legs and can run up to 25 miles per hour? Come to the Nature Center to learn more about wild turkeys and create one to take home.

Week 5
Friday, November 28th
Opt-Outside Day
11 am: Fire Tower Hike- (Hike) Join Naturalist Kaitlyn in front of the Canyon Inn to begin our 1.4-mile hike through the woods to learn about Civilian Conservation Corp history and how it helped provide money to families during the Great Depression. On this hike you will have a choice to summit to the top of the Fire Tower.

Saturday, November 29th
10 am-12:30 pm: Wolf Cave Hike- (Hike) Are you curious what a tornado can do in 30 seconds? Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about the impact of the tornado to Wolf Cave. This hike is 2.8 miles and will have the option to go through Wolf Cave. Please bring a flashlight and wear closed toed shoes. Wolf Cave is wet and has tight spaces! We will begin this hike at the Nature Center.

Sunday, November 30th
3:30 pm: Squirrel Craft- (Hike) Join Naturalist Kaitlyn at Nature Center to create a furry friend to take home.

on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp

Nature Center Hours
Open Thursday-Monday 9:30 am- 5 pm
Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Photo by Amy Cooper

10/27/2025

10/26/2025

Spooky Programs to do before trick-or-treating on Halloween Night!

Friday, October 31st
10 am-12:30 pm: Wolf Cave Hike- (Hike) Are you curious what a tornado can do in 30 seconds? Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about the impact of the tornado to Wolf Cave. This hike is 2.8 miles and will have the option to go through Wolf Cave. Please bring a flashlight and wear closed toed shoes. Wolf Cave is wet and has tight spaces! We will begin this hike at the Nature Center.

2 pm-4 pm: Snake Bookmark- Drop by the Nature Center to create a fangtastic craft that will make you want to sink your fangs into reading. Come create a cute snake bookmark and meet a few our snakes.
on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp

10/23/2025

McCormick's Creek State Park
Friday, October 24th
5 pm-6:30 pm: Face Painting- Come get a spooky new face before tonight’s Halloween movie showing. Free face painting is being offered at the Canyon Inn.

6:30 pm: Spooky Movie Night- Come see a spooky family-friendly movie showing on a big screen in the Lobby at the Canyon Inn. Enjoy free popcorn and cookies. This is movie is rated G for everyone.

Saturday, October 25th
9:30 am-12 pm: Buck’s Dead and Breakfast- Come create a spooky sweet treat at Buck’s Dead and Breakfast. Create a spider donut at the Nature Center parking lot for a $4 cash donation to the Friends Group. Hot drinks will also be available for $1. We hope you enjoy your treat before or after riding the hayrides. Supplied is limited.

10 am- 1pm: Hayrides- Take a beautiful hayride through McCormick’s Creek to see the fall colors. Cost is $2 per person, please bring cash. Pick up and drop off is at the Nature Center. Rides leave every 30 minutes; last ride leaves at 1 p.m. Come early to make sure you secure a spot.

2 pm-4 pm: Pumpkin Carving- Carve a pumpkin and support the Friends of McCormick’s Creek. $5 cost per pumpkin. Please pay in cash and supplies are limited to the first 50 guests. Meet at the Nature Center Amphitheater to begin.

5:30 pm- 7 pm: Trick or Treat Trail- Put on a costume and meet the Friends of McCormick’s Creek at the Nature Center to go Trick or Treating. We will be walking the habitat trail and trail 8 to get a spooky trick or treats on the way. This event is accessible and family friendly.

8 pm: Owl Prowl- Join a Park Naturalist in front of the Canyon Inn to learn about owl adaptations and call-in owls on this 1.4 mile night hike through the woods! Bring a redlight flashlight or borrow one from the naturalist.

on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp

10/22/2025

Now is the perfect time to see McCormick's Creek State Park in peak autumn colors!

Remember to submit photos to our fall photo contest! https://ow.ly/ovbI50XgfoG

Photo by Jason Roland

10/19/2025

Fall-o-ween Weekend Events

Friday, October 24th
5 pm-6:30 pm: Face Painting- Come get a spooky new face before tonight’s Halloween movie showing. Free face painting is being offered at the Canyon Inn.

6:30 pm: Spooky Movie Night- Come see a spooky family-friendly movie showing on a big screen in the Lobby at the Canyon Inn. Enjoy free popcorn and cookies. This is movie is rated G for everyone.

Saturday, October 25th
9:30 am-12 pm: Buck’s Dead and Breakfast- Come create a spooky sweet treat at Buck’s Dead and Breakfast. Create a spider donut at the Nature Center parking lot for a $4 cash donation to the Friends Group. Hot drinks will also be available for $1. We hope you enjoy your treat before or after riding the hayrides. Supplied is limited.

10 am- 1pm: Hayrides- Take a beautiful hayride through McCormick’s Creek to see the fall colors. Cost is $2 per person, please bring cash. Pick up and drop off is at the Nature Center. Rides leave every 30 minutes; last ride leaves at 1 p.m. Come early to make sure you secure a spot.

2 pm-4 pm: Pumpkin Carving- Carve a pumpkin and support the Friends of McCormick’s Creek. $5 cost per pumpkin. Please pay in cash and supplies are limited to the first 50 guests. Meet at the Nature Center Amphitheater to begin.

5:30 pm- 7 pm: Trick or Treat Trail- Put on a costume and meet the Friends of McCormick’s Creek at the Nature Center to go Trick or Treating. We will be walking the habitat trail and trail 8 to get a spooky trick or treats on the way. This event is accessible and family friendly.

8 pm: Owl Prowl- Join a Park Naturalist in front of the Canyon Inn to learn about owl adaptations and call-in owls on this 1.4 mile night hike through the woods! Bring a redlight flashlight or borrow one from the naturalist.
on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp

10/15/2025

Our Friends Group is looking for donations for our park`s Trick or Treat Trail Event. We would like to keep the campground spirit alive! If you are willing to donate a bag or two, you can drop it off at the Park Office or Nature Center.

If you are a Friends Member and would like to volunteer for our Falloween Event, please reach out by emailing [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

10/12/2025

Don't miss your chance to see the fall colors and attend these fall fun programs!

Offered Every Sunday
10:30 am: Turtle Feeding- Come see our local red-eared slider hunt for fish. This program is held at the Canyon Inn.

2 pm: Cold Blooded Buffet – Hop and slither to the Nature Center to see our resident reptiles chow down on bugs and mice. Learn cool facts about Indiana’s native amphibians and reptiles.

Week 3
Sunday, October 12th
3 pm-4 pm: Stick Bug- (Craft) You may never see them in the wild, but you’ll know they are always close. Come meet our stick bugs in the Nature Center Exhibit Hall and create one to take home.

Thursday, October 16th
11 am: Mine Your Craft- (Craft) Gain knowledge about the rocks and minerals in Indiana from this fun Minecraft themed program. We will put your crafting to the test while creating a pixel art mineral or rock block. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Program will be held in the Nature Center.

2 pm-4 pm: Leaf Rubbings- (Craft) Join Naturalist Jessica at the Nature Center to learn how to identify native trees and make creative art with them.

Friday, October 17th
11 am-12pm: Collecting Colors- (Hike & Craft) Join Naturalist Kaitlyn on an easy hike to learn how to identify trees by their leaves. Next, we will move inside to learn how you can keep the colors of autumn preserved in this leaf craft. Meet at the Nature Center Auditorium.

2 pm: Camo Carapaces- (Craft) Do you know Box Turtle shells will change to brighter reds, oranges, and yellows to help them blend into the forest floor during autumn? Join Naturalist Jessica at the Nature Center to paint a still life of our native Box Turtle. This painting class allows you to sit up close and observe a live turtle while painting.

Saturday, October 18th
10 am: Mammal March- (Hike) This short hike is a perfect program for learning how to use binoculars to study squirrel behavior. Bring a pair of binoculars or borrow a pair from us. We will teach you how to use them and how to identify squirrels you may find in Indiana. We will start our adventure in the Bird Viewing Room inside the Nature Center.

Upcoming
Fall-o-ween Weekend
Friday, October 24th
5 pm-6:30 pm: Face Painting- Come get a spooky new face before tonight’s Halloween movie showing. Free face painting is being offered at the Canyon Inn.

6:30 pm: Spooky Movie Night- Come see a spooky family-friendly movie showing on a big screen in the Lobby at the Canyon Inn. Enjoy free popcorn and cookies. This is movie is rated G for everyone.

Saturday, October 25th
9:30 am-12 pm: Buck’s Dead and Breakfast- Come create a spooky sweet treat at Buck’s Dead and Breakfast. Create a spider donut at the Nature Center parking lot for a $4 cash donation to the Friends Group. Hot drinks will also be available for $1. We hope you enjoy your treat before or after riding the hayrides. Supplied is limited.

10 am- 1pm: Hayrides- Take a beautiful hayride through McCormick’s Creek to see the fall colors. Cost is $2 per person, please bring cash. Pick up and drop off is at the Nature Center. Rides leave every 30 minutes; last ride leaves at 1 p.m. Come early to make sure you secure a spot.

2 pm-4 pm: Pumpkin Carving- Carve a pumpkin and support the Friends of McCormick’s Creek. $5 cost per pumpkin. Please pay in cash and supplies are limited to the first 50 guests. Meet at the Nature Center Amphitheater to begin.

5:30 pm- 7 pm: Trick or Treat Trail- Put on a costume and meet the Friends of McCormick’s Creek at the Nature Center to go Trick or Treating. We will be walking the habitat trail and trail 8 to get a spooky trick or treats on the way. This event is accessible and family friendly.

8 pm: Owl Prowl- Join a Park Naturalist in front of the Canyon Inn to learn about owl adaptations and call-in owls on this 1.4 mile night hike through the woods! Bring a redlight flashlight or borrow one from the naturalist.

WEEK 5
Friday, October 31st
10 am-12:30 pm: Wolf Cave Hike- (Hike) Are you curious what a tornado can do in 30 seconds? Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about the impact of the tornado to Wolf Cave. This hike is 2.8 miles and will have the option to go through Wolf Cave. Please bring a flashlight and wear closed toed shoes. Wolf Cave is wet and has tight spaces! We will begin this hike at the Nature Center.

2 pm-4 pm: Snake Bookmark- Drop by the Nature Center to create a fangtastic craft that will make you want to sink your fangs into reading. Come create a cute snake bookmark and meet a few our snakes.
on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp
Photo by Richard Jones

10/05/2025

This Week's programs!

Offered Every Sunday
10:30 am: Turtle Feeding- Come see our local red-eared slider hunt for fish. This program is held at the Canyon Inn.

2 pm: Cold Blooded Buffet – Hop and slither to the Nature Center to see our resident reptiles chow down on bugs and mice. Learn cool facts about Indiana’s native amphibians and reptiles.

Sunday, October 5th
3 pm-4 pm: Memory Tree Game- Can you match the fruit or nut to the tree that produces it? Come test your skills at the Nature Center from 3-4 pm.

Friday, October 10th
2 pm-2:45 pm: Snake Talk- (Animal Show) Slither on over to our Nature Center Amphitheater to learn about the longest snake of North America and the strongest predatory snake in Indiana. Naturalist Kaitlyn will introduce you to our snake ambassadors in this live animal program.

Saturday, October 11th
10 am: Indentitree- (Hike) Join Naturalist Katilyn in front of the Nature Center to take a short hike on our new Echo Canyon Trail to learn tree identification. This is a great beginner, or kids hike to introduce you to leaf identification.

3 pm-4 pm: Memory Tree Game- Can you match the fruit or nut to the tree that produces it? Come test your skills in the Canyon Inn Lobby anytime from 3-4 pm.

Upcoming Programs:
Week 3
Sunday, October 12th
3 pm-4 pm: Stick Bug- (Craft) You may never see them in the wild, but you’ll know they are always close. Come meet our stick bugs in the Nature Center Exhibit Hall and create one to take home.

Thursday, October 16th
11 am: Mine Your Craft- (Craft) Gain knowledge about the rocks and minerals in Indiana from this fun Minecraft themed program. We will put your crafting to the test while creating a pixel art mineral or rock block. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Program will be held in the Nature Center.

2 pm-4 pm: Leaf Rubbings- (Craft) Join Naturalist Jessica at the Nature Center to learn how to identify native trees and make creative art with them.

Friday, October 17th
11 am-12pm: Collecting Colors- (Hike & Craft) Join Naturalist Kaitlyn on an easy hike to learn how to identify trees by their leaves. Next, we will move inside to learn how you can keep the colors of autumn preserved in this leaf craft. Meet at the Nature Center Auditorium.

2 pm: Camo Carapaces- (Craft) Do you know Box Turtle shells will change to brighter reds, oranges, and yellows to help them blend into the forest floor during autumn? Join Naturalist Jessica at the Nature Center to paint a still life of our native Box Turtle. This painting class allows you to sit up close and observe a live turtle while painting.

Saturday, October 18th
10 am: Mammal March- (Hike) This short hike is a perfect program for learning how to use binoculars to study squirrel behavior. Bring a pair of binoculars or borrow a pair from us. We will teach you how to use them and how to identify squirrels you may find in Indiana. We will start our adventure in the Bird Viewing Room inside the Nature Center.

Fall-o-ween Weekend
Friday, October 24th
5 pm-6:30 pm: Face Painting- Come get a spooky new face before tonight’s Halloween movie showing. Free face painting is being offered at the Canyon Inn.

6:30 pm: Spooky Movie Night- Come see a spooky family-friendly movie showing on a big screen in the Lobby at the Canyon Inn. Enjoy free popcorn and cookies. This is movie is rated G for everyone.

Saturday, October 25th
9:30 am-12 pm: Buck’s Dead and Breakfast- Come create a spooky sweet treat at Buck’s Dead and Breakfast. Create a spider donut at the Nature Center parking lot for a $4 cash donation to the Friends Group. Hot drinks will also be available for $1. We hope you enjoy your treat before or after riding the hayrides. Supplied is limited.

10 am- 1pm: Hayrides- Take a beautiful hayride through McCormick’s Creek to see the fall colors. Cost is $2 per person, please bring cash. Pick up and drop off is at the Nature Center. Rides leave every 30 minutes; last ride leaves at 1 p.m. Come early to make sure you secure a spot.

2 pm-4 pm: Pumpkin Carving- Carve a pumpkin and support the Friends of McCormick’s Creek. $5 cost per pumpkin. Please pay in cash and supplies are limited to the first 50 guests. Meet at the Nature Center Amphitheater to begin.

5:30 pm- 7 pm: Trick or Treat Trail- Put on a costume and meet the Friends of McCormick’s Creek at the Nature Center to go Trick or Treating. We will be walking the habitat trail and trail 8 to get a spooky trick or treats on the way. This event is accessible and family friendly.

8 pm: Owl Prowl- Join a Park Naturalist in front of the Canyon Inn to learn about owl adaptations and call-in owls on this 1.4 mile night hike through the woods! Bring a redlight flashlight or borrow one from the naturalist.

WEEK 5
Friday, October 31st
10 am-12:30 pm: Wolf Cave Hike- (Hike) Are you curious what a tornado can do in 30 seconds? Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about the impact of the tornado to Wolf Cave. This hike is 2.8 miles and will have the option to go through Wolf Cave. Please bring a flashlight and wear closed toed shoes. Wolf Cave is wet and has tight spaces! We will begin this hike at the Nature Center.

2 pm-4 pm: Snake Bookmark- Drop by the Nature Center to create a fangtastic craft that will make you want to sink your fangs into reading. Come create a cute snake bookmark and meet a few our snakes.
on.IN.gov/mccormickscreeksp
Photo by Calvin Poole