CALLING ALL NATURE LOVERS〰️
CALLING ALL NATURE LOVERS〰️
Making a Difference
Starts With You
Friends members bring together a love of nature and environment to enhance experiences, educate visitors and help maintain our beloved state parks.
We love nothing more than seeing a park full of nature-loving visitors at Turkey Run and Shades State Parks! They’re consistently ranked as some of the best state parks in the country and Turkey Run’s Trail 3 was recently named the best hiking trail in the midwest by Midwest Living magazine!
HIKING, CAMPING, INN and CABINS, SWIMMING, PICNICING, CANOEING, PROGRAMS, DINING, NATURE CENTER, SHOPPING
Memberships and renewals…just
UPCOMING EVENTS…
We’re Proud!
Our Organization
FRIENDS OF TURKEY RUN AND SHADES STATE PARKS (FTRSSP)
Find out about our mission, methods, and the results of our years of advocacy.
“Working with the Friends group makes me feel a bit of ownership of these remarkable parks... like I get to see ‘behind the scenes’ of Mother Nature’s greatness.”
Field trippin…
On March 15 the FTRSSP sponsored a field trip, led by member Alan Bruner, to Goose Pond FWA – Indiana’s premiere birding spot. In spite of the previous night’s stormy weather and forecast of another storm system coming in, those attending were able to squeeze in an enjoyable day examining Goose Ponds’ 9,098 acres of wetland and prairie. Unfortunately the previous week of “summer-like” weather prompted most of the waterfowl to head north, but there was still much to see. Starting the day at the Visitor Center, which sits on a hill affording a panoramic view of the property, guests enjoyed the excellent interpretive displays, exhibits, and specimens of cranes, pelicans, swans, and geese hanging from the ceiling, before heading into the field. Immediately, a small flock of Sandhill Cranes flew in and landed in the field below. Various stops throughout the property revealed many American Coots, a flock of over 2,000 Snow Geese, hundreds of ducks such as Gadwall, American Wigeon and Northern Shoveler; Trumpeter Swans, Double-crested Cormorants, and a Bald Eagle sitting in its nest.
OUR GROUP’S GROWING!
As you can see we’re bigger and better than ever. There’s no better time to join our Friends group and choose where (or how much) you’d like to get involved. We’d love to see more families join. It’s a great way to teach your kids how to take care of and respect this incredible planet we share.
Take Action
Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself by becoming an active member.
Our parks,
Our Friends group is lucky enough that we get to help with not one, but two of the best, most beautiful state parks in Indiana. We like to say “Same creek, same Friends.”
Sugar Creek and its tributaries flow through both of our parks and are credited with the awe-inspiring canyons, cliffs and waterfalls along their rocky shores. As temperatures soar, floating on tubes, canoes or kayaks are popular attractions.
Hiking is another activity that brings visitors to our parks. In fact, both parks are ranked high for having some of the best trails in the midwest.
Shades is often referred to as the more laid-back of the two parks. It boasts spectacular views, natural springs, and rock formations along its miles of trails. It offers primitive campsites and picnic shelters for those looking for a quieter setting. Shades also has some of the darkest skies in Indiana making it attractive to astronomy enthusiasts.
Turkey Run is the second state park formed in Indiana in 1916 to preserve its glacial formations and heavy forestation. The park boasts a number of historic structures and examples of construction done by the CCC in the mid 1930s. Accommodations offered are the Turkey Run Inn and cabins, campgrounds both primitive and electric, and shelter houses for day use.
Contact Us
Park Hours
Daily 7am–11pm
Hiking trails open dawn to dusk
Phone
765-597-2654
turkeyrunandshadesfriends@gmail.com
Facebook
Friends of Turkey Run & Shades State Parks
Locations
Turkey Run State Park 8121 E. Park Road
Marshall, IN 47859
Shades State Park 7751 S. 890 W.
Waveland, IN 47989