(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana state parks will mark America's 250th birthday with fireworks, camping and special July 4 activities.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says four state park properties will host fireworks displays for Independence Day celebrations.
Fireworks Displays
Patoka Lake: Thunder over Patoka will begin with activities around 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are expected at dark, around 10 p.m. Best viewing areas include Patoka Beach, boats or nearby ramps on the water, and Section C in the Modern Campground.
Pokagon State Park: Fireworks will be visible over Lake James at dusk, around 10 p.m. Visitors can bring blankets or lawn chairs to the Potawatomi Inn lawn.
Raccoon State Recreation Area: Fireworks are expected around 10 p.m. They will be launched from South Point near the South Beach Shelter House. Viewing areas include the beach, Hilltop, Harden, Raccoon and North shelters, and the William Hill Picnic Area. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early because parking is expected to fill quickly.
Versailles State Park: The park will offer free entry from 7 to 9 p.m. before fireworks over the lake at 10 p.m.
Other July 4 Events
Chain O'Lakes State Park will host Nature's Fireworks, a program about fireflies, on July 3 at 9 p.m. at the Campground Interpretive Area. On July 4, the park will hold a patriotic bike parade at 9:30 a.m. and a patriotic tie-dye activity from 1 to 3 p.m.
Indiana Dunes State Park will offer a 1.5-mile history walk about the Revolutionary War battle at the Dunes. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Central Time at the Nature Center.
Monroe Lake will offer Fourth of July frisbee decorating from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the campground playground and a fireworks night-sky painting activity at 7 p.m.
Lieber State Recreation Area will host a patriotic ice cream social from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nature Center.
Ouabache State Park will hold a patriotic campsite decorating contest, with prizes for the top two winners.
O'Bannon Woods State Park will host several Fourth of July activities at its 1800s Living Pioneer Farmstead, including an 1850s haypress demonstration at 1 p.m.
Prophetstown State Park will hold a cookout with yard games and a sprinkler from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Farm at Prophetstown.
Raccoon State Recreation Area will also host its annual Fourth of July Big Bang Cornhole Tournament. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per team.
Spring Mill State Park will host its Old Fashioned Independence Weekend beginning with activities at 10 a.m. A schedule will be posted on bulletin boards and chalkboards throughout the park. "Abraham Lincoln" will speak at the Meeting House at 12:45 p.m. July 5.
Camping Availability
DNR says campsites are still available for the Independence Day weekend.
Several electric campsites remain open at Brookville Lake and Deam Lake, along with Brown County, Chain O'Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Lincoln and O'Bannon Woods state parks. Many other parks also have non-electric or primitive sites available.
Visitors are encouraged to watch individual state park Facebook pages for weather-related updates or changes.