St. Joseph Co Parks

Friday Night Fungus! Thanksgiving is coming up and it's a great time to look for Turkey Tail mushrooms (like these ones at St. Patrick's Co. Park.) Turkey Tail grows all over the world -- in Germany it's called "Schmetterlingstramete" which means "butterfly bracket fungus."

Look and listen for owls during a Fall Owl Prowl on Sat., Nov. 21, 4-6pm at St. Patrick's County Park. Learn about the owls of Indiana, then head out for a guided twilight owl-calling walk. Fall refreshments provided. $5 per person. To register and pay, call 574-654-3155.

Wednesday Wildlife! Indiana Master Naturalist students caught several Water Scorpions at St. Patrick's County Park last weekend. They are insects (not true scorpions) - the stinger-like tail is actually a breathing tube that can extend above the water's surface like a snorkel.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Tail Waggin' hayrides at Bendix Woods County Park! We loved seeing everyone enjoying a hayride with their furry friends and having a PAWesome time. Your donations will help Heartland Small Animal Rescue continue their wonderful work.

End your weekend with a tail waggin hayride at Bendix Woods County Park today, November 1. Meet us at the Van Paris Shelter from 2-4pm, enjoy a hayride with your furry friend and warm up with hot cocoa and a s'more around the campfire! Fee is $5/person, plus pet related donation.

Join us November 1 at Bendix Woods County Park for a fun-filled afternoon with your furry friend! From 2-4pm enjoy tail wagglingly good hayrides as well as hot cocoa and a s'more around the campfire! Fee is $5/person plus a pet related donation.

🐾Tail Waggin’ Hayride is Nov. 1, 2–4pm at Bendix Woods County Park! Bring your furry friend for a tractor-drawn hayride, hot cocoa ☕ & s’mores 🔥 Fee: $5/person + a pet-related donation benefiting Heartland Small Animal Rescue. 🐶 6-ft leash required. Meet at Van Paris Shelter!

Nature Journaling Club October 31, 10am–1pm, St. Patrick’s County Park! Join us at the Brown Barn for a beginner-friendly creative club for adults 18+. Writing prompts | Mixed media | Photography | Nature journaling Bring a journal & curiosity! $5 cash donation requested.

A big THANK YOU to the crew from Logistick, Inc. for spending part of their day volunteering at St. Patrick’s County Park! The team rolled up their sleeves to help clear invasive species from the letters that spell out “St. Patrick’s.”

The playground at Anderson Trail County Park is under construction and we can't wait for children of all abilities to play, explore, and make memories together! The countdown to playtime is on!

The kayaks are stored away, officially marking the end of our 2026 canoe and kayak season! Thank you to everyone who joined us on the water this year. But, the fun doesn't stop at St. Joseph County Parks! What do you spot behind the fence?

Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at night during a hayride at Bendix Woods County Park! Choose between a 7, 7:30 or 8pm timeslot on Saturday, October 24th! Registration and payment is required. $5/person. Please call 574-277-4828 to register by Thursday, October 22

Join us Saturday, October 24th for nighttime public hayrides! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a 30-minute hayride through Bendix Woods County Park. Fee is $5/person. Registration and payment are required by Wednesday, October 21. Please call 574-277-4828 to register.

Help the parks protect the old-growth forest in the Bendix Woods Nature Preserve! Join us for a Weed Wrangle on October 24, 9:30am-12pm to learn how to identify & remove invasive species which crowd out native plants if left untreated. Call 574-277-4828 to register.

FALL in love with your St. Joseph County Parks! Take a hike, hear the leaves crunch beneath your feet, breathe in the crisp autumn air, or simply pause and admire the beautiful scenery that our parks have to offer. Visit sjcparks.org to find a park close to you!

✨🌙 Get Your Glow On! 🌙✨ Join us for a Neon Hayride at Bendix Woods County Park on October 16, 7–9 PM! Enjoy glow-in-the-dark face paint, glow sticks, glowing treats, & nighttime fun for all ages! 🚜 🎟️ $8/person 📞 Register by October 14 at 574-277-4828.

All St. Joseph County Park offices will be closed, today, October 12, 2026, All parks will be open from 10am-7:00pm. Spicer Lake Nature Preserve will be open 11am-6:00pm. sjcparks.org/602/Hours-Fees

All St. Joseph County Park offices will be closed October 12, 2026. All parks will be open from 10am-7:00pm. Spicer Lake Nature Preserve will be open 11am-6:00pm. sjcparks.org/602/Hours-Fees

Big thanks to our amazing staff for doing a great job replacing the door on the Brown Barn at St. Patrick’s County Park! We appreciate all the hard work that keeps our parks looking great and running smoothly!

The Fish Are In at Anderson Trail County Park! The two new ponds at Anderson Trail County Park have been stocked with Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, & Largemouth Bass. The fish are still small, so please be patient & give them time to grow before expecting a fishable population.