Hendricks County Parks & Recreation

Critter Feeding!
2026-08-27 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Meet all of our ambassador animals for a late lunch while we talk about what and how they eat!
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFEE: $2/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR
Registration Links

May 14: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1017
May 21: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1018
May 28: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1019
June 4: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1020
June 11: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1021
June 18: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1022
June 25: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1023
July 2: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1024
July 9: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1025
July 16: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1026
July 23: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1027
July 30: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1029
Aug. 6: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1030
Aug. 13: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1031
Aug. 20: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1032
Aug. 27: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1033

Vandalia Trail Bike Rides
2026-09-01 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-09-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-09-29 18:30 - 20:30 | Vandalia Trail – Amo Trailhead, 5042 South Street, Amo, IN, 46103, United States
Bicyclists, join Friends of the Vandalia Trail for weekly rides along the Vandalia Trail alternating between Amo and Plainfield. This event is for the rides starting from Amo.

1st, 3rd, & 5th Tuesdays each month (trailhead at Railroad St. & Pearl St.). Enjoy the countryside and small towns riding Hendricks County Parks and Recreation’s paved Vandalia Trail to Coatesville and the Putnam County line (8 miles round trip, 16 miles for two round trips) and occasionally part of the Putnam Parks & Pathways’ packed stone Vandalia Trail towards Fillmore, depending on the group.

Please note that riders participate at their own risk and minors must be accompanied by an adult responsible for them.
If you have any questions, please contact Greg Midgley (greg@nrht.org).
http://www.nrht.org/vandalia/page.php?p=events#weekly_bike

Sun Printing Workshop
2026-09-02 16:00 - 17:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us on the sunny side of life! We’ll be using cyanotype techniques to create paper prints that use the light of the sun to print outlines of flowers, feathers, or whatever you may choose. It’s a great way to enjoy the sunshine and take home a new decor piece, ready to be framed!
RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 8 AND UP.
FEE: $3/PERSON
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1035
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Nature Hike
2026-09-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-01 10:00 - 11:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us for a guided nature hike through the beautiful trails of McCloud Nature Park! This moderate hike is perfect for nature lovers of all ages and experience levels. Bring water, dress for the weather, and enjoy this peaceful adventure in the great outdoors!

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES • FREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Critter Feeding
2026-09-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-11 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-18 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-25 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-02 14:00 - 15:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Meet all of our ambassador animals for a late lunch while we talk about what and how they eat!

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Campfire Cooking
2026-09-04 16:00 - 17:30 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Come out to the park for some campfire fun! Our naturalists are offering this as a fun family program, open to all ages. Each session will focus on a different snack using our campfire to cook it, such as roasting and Dutch oven cooking. Sign up early, as spots are limited and will fill up fast! Meet at the Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center. Note, in the case of rain or severe weather, this program will be canceled.

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FEE: $3/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1036APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 90 MINUTES

Yoga in the Park
2026-09-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-18 18:00 - 19:00 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Join Balance & Breath Yoga & Wellness Center this fall for FREE Yoga in the Park programs! Grab a beach towel or yoga mat, some water, and join us at theBluegill Shelter at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park! Their beginner-friendly series of classes are great for meeting those in the community and enjoying gentle movement outdoors in a beautiful park!
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

McCloud Prairie Maze
2026-09-05 - 2026-10-31 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
2026 marks the United States’ 250th birthday! Our staff have been asking for a bald eagle prairie maze design for several years now, so 2026 seems the perfect time to do one! Come out to McCloud Nature Park during the months of September and October and explore our 2026 McCloud Prairie Maze celebrating bald eagles and our nation’s birthday!
The correct path through the maze is one (1) mile long. Be sure to explore the McCloud Prairie Maze by October 31! Bring the eaglets, too, as this maze is appropriate for all ages.
Admission to McCloud Nature Park and the prairie maze is absolutely FREE, and both are open from dawn to dusk daily. To access the prairie maze, park in the Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center parking lot. Maps to the maze are available in the kiosk outside of the Nature Center, as well as in the kiosk at the entrance to the maze, and on our McCloud Prairie Maze webpage.

Labor Day
2026-09-07
Main office closed.

TADPOLE TIME: Scales and Scutes!
2026-09-08 10:00 - 11:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
They crawl and slither but don’t be alarmed! We will get to learn all about our scaly friends: turtles and snakes. We’ll read a book, do a craft, and meet some of our very own reptile friends.
FOR AGES 2-5 WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN; OLDER SIBLINGS AGES 6-7 ARE ALSO WELCOME TO REGISTER
FEE: $5/CHILD
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1037
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Keychain Critters
2026-09-09 16:00 - 17:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Want to craft your very own keychain critters? Join us at the nature center to make a new paracord or beaded keychain to take home!

RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 5 AND UPFEE: $2/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1038APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Market in the Park
2026-09-12 09:00 - 14:00 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Come out to W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park this year for our Market in the Park (formerly Farmer’s Parket) events, where you will find local artisans, baked goods, crafts, homemade goods and more available for purchase from local vendors!
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FREE TO ATTEND
NO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 5 HOURS (ONGOING)
Vendor space is $20 for a 10’x10′ spot. If you would like to arrange booth space at this event, sign up here: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=965

NATURE DISCOVERY: Fun with Flowers!
2026-09-15 15:00 - 16:00 | W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Join us as we learn all about the importance of pollinators when we explore our beautiful pollinator plot at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park! We will talk about all the different pollinators that may call our park home and make some fun crafts using some of our flowers!
FOR AGES 7-12 WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
FEE: $5/PARTICIPANT
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1039
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

SENIOR CENTER: Scales and Scutes!
2026-09-16 12:30 - 13:30 | Hendricks County Senior Services, 1201 Sycamore Lane, Danville, IN, 46122, United States
Join our naturalists at the Senior Center in Danville on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for a FREE nature-themed program! These programs take place during lunch at the Senior Center, and donations are accepted for lunch. The Senior Center partners with the Central Indiana Council on Aging (CICOA) to provide the meals. CICOA’s paperwork must be completed upon your first visit.

Lunch is prepared by Hendricks Regional Health Hospital. To make a lunch reservation, please call (317) 910-5356 by 11 a.m. on the day before the program.

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026
Scute on down for this presentation! We’ll talk about the turtles and snakes we have in Indiana, show off our turtle shell collection, and show off one of our turtle coworkers who lives in our nature center.

Astronomy
2026-09-19 20:00 - 22:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Looking for a fun and educational family activity this summer that’s FREE?
Take stargazing to new heights by escaping the light pollution of the city and heading to McCloud Nature Park, where thousands of stars twinkle like jewels in the dark night sky!
The Indiana Astronomical Society partners with Park Naturalists to hold sky seminars and viewings at McCloud on the Saturday nights listed below. These programs, led by expert sky watchers, are geared for the novice astronomer.
Telescopes large and small will be set up for your use. Each evening will begin with a brief informational session (“sky seminar”) in the Nature Center where you will learn which planets and constellations will be visible that night. These seminars last about 30 minutes and are best suited for ages 8 and older. Outdoor sky-viewing will begin following the seminars.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Sky seminars will take place rain or shine, but sky viewings are dependent upon clear skies. If poor weather is forecast or any severe weather advisories are issued, the sky-viewing portion of the program will be canceled.
All Astronomy programs are held on Saturdays at McCloud Nature Park. They are FREE to attend, appropriate for all ages, and no advance registration is required. Each program is approximately 2 hours in duration.
Please be advised that the park closes at 11 p.m. on Astronomy nights.
2026 Program Schedule

Saturday, May 23 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 20 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 11 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8 at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

(Cover photo by Jonathan Grober)

Name That Skull!
2026-09-22 13:00 - 14:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
NAME – THAT – SKULLLL! Join our naturalist to unveil our mysterious animal skull collection. We’ll put our skulls on display and leave it up to you to figure out which skull belongs to each animal. At the end, we will reveal the true names of the animal skulls and share info about their specialized features.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGESFREE TO ATTENDNO ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIREDAPPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 1 HOUR

Sassafras Beads Workshop
2026-09-23 17:00 - 19:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us for a hands-on workshop where nature meets creativity! Using beads made from the native sassafras tree, participants will craft their own unique bracelet or necklace. Whether you’re a seasoned jewelry maker or trying something new, this workshop is designed to guide you step-by-step in creating a wearable work of art inspired by the outdoors.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FEE: $10/PERSON
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1040
APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 2 HOURS

Owl Prowl
2026-09-25 20:30 - 22:00 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Join us for a night at one of our parks! You’ll get the rare chance to experience our trails in the evening with a naturalist to guide you. These night hikes will focus on finding the owls of our park. This program will last about 1.5 hours and will trek easy to moderate trails. Our parks have a variety of paved, gravel, and grassy trails, so come prepared! Small flashlights will be available for use, but light usage will be minimized in order to get the best experience and to avoid disrupting wildlife. In the event of rain or severe weather, the event will be canceled.
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FEE: $5/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1041APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 90 MINUTES

Animal Tales
2026-09-29 10:30 - 11:30 | Clayton Liberty Township Public Library, 5199 Iowa Street, Clayton, IN, 46118, United States
Join our park naturalists at Clayton – Liberty Township Library each month to share a story about a native animal and a related craft or activity!

Campfire Cooking
2026-10-02 16:00 - 17:30 | McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem, IN, 46165, United States
Come out to the park for some campfire fun! Our naturalists are offering this as a fun family program, open to all ages. Each session will focus on a different snack using our campfire to cook it, such as roasting and Dutch oven cooking. Sign up early, as spots are limited and will fill up fast! Meet at the Ray & Mary Benson Nature Center. Note, in the case of rain or severe weather, this program will be canceled.

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
FEE: $3/PERSONADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT: https://hcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1042APPROXIMATE PROGRAM DURATION: 90 MINUTES
