St. Joseph County Parks
Calendar of Events
September
Bag-a-Bat & Batnana
Splits!
Thursday, September 5, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Harvest Room
Fee: $5/person
Meet Wildlife Biologist Jeremy Sheets as he talks about the various species of bats found in Indiana and discusses their biological importance. Enjoy an ice cream sundae with food made possible by bats! Registration and payment required by September 2.
Hug & Hike with Your Hound Day
Sunday, September 8, *during park hours
St. Patrick’s, Bendix Woods, and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks
Fee: Free!
September 8th is National Hug Your Hound Day. Come hike our trails with your canine companion! Take a picture of you and your pooch on the trail and tag us on Facebook! Gate fees are waived for all cars containing a dog. A treat and poopbag will be provided at the gate. Dogs must remain on a 6-foot leash. This program is sponsored in part by Pet Supplies Plus South Bend.
Ringing of the Bell
Wednesday, September 11, 9am
St. Patrick’s County Park: Freedom Memorial Fee: Free
Clay Fire Territory, Mishawaka Fire and Police, South Bend Fire and Police, and St. Joseph County Police join to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001.
Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake: The Restored Prairie
Wednesday, September 11, 5pm – 7pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Nature Center Fee: Free!
Join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake to discover Indiana’s native prairies. A park naturalist will lead a hike to identify prairie species and share how the parks have worked to restore prairie habitats. The presentation will be followed by refreshments and a brief meeting where you can hear updates about volunteer opportunities and other ways the Friends organization supports the parks.
Pawpaw Hike
Thursday, September 19, 6pm – 7:30pm
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve: Visitor Center
Fee: $5/person
Fall Girls Ambitious about Learning Science (GALS)
Saturday, October 5, 10am – 2:30pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Disc Golf Poker
Saturday, September 21, 10am – 4pm
Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park
Join us for a hike to celebrate National Pawpaw Day, where we will learn more about this native fruit and the tree that produces it! Afterwards, enjoy some treats made from this delicious fruit.
Fee: $1/poker hand & regular disc golf fees We combined disc golf and poker! Stop by the Gatehouse to pay and pick up your hand. As you play the course, switch out a card at select holes to make the best hand you can. The person with the top hand will win a $10 gift certificate for the Pro Shop!
Geocaching Clinic
Saturday, September 28, 3pm – 5pm
Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park: Gatehouse
Fee: $5/person
CANCELED CANCELED
If you think you would enjoy a treasure hunt, join us for a clinic to learn more about geocaching! Geocaching is the hobby of using GPS (Global Positioning System) to either hide or locate caches at various locations. In this clinic, we will cover the basics of geocaching and then head out to search for caches hidden in the park.
ctober
Pumpkin Spice & Hayrides
Tuesday, October 1, 6pm – 8pm
Bendix Woods County Park:
Van Paris Shelter
Fee: $5/person
Pumpkin spice and everything nice! Join us on National Pumpkin Spice Day for hayrides and pumpkin spice flavored treats and drinks. Registration and payment required by September 27.
Life Through the Lens Photographer Recognition
Thank you to all the wonderful photographers who have participated in the Life Through the Lens Photography Contest! We sincerely appreciate your contributions showcasing the beauty of the county parks. Featured in this Activity Guide are photographers: Benjamin Ollen • Lily Mihm Jaehee Shim
Fee: Free! *for girls in 5th – 8th grades
Come enjoy a day of outdoor science fun at our first Fall GALS program! Presentations will be led by local women in science with hands-on, feet-stomping learning experiments. Lunch and snacks will be provided. This program is free thanks to a generous grant from the Dr. Elmer R. Graber Youth Fund for Exploring Nature. Registration required by October 1.
Science Sunday
Sunday, October 6, 1pm – 4pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: ND-LEEF Morrison Family Pavilion Fee: Free!
The Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF), a unique environmental research collaboration between the University of Notre Dame and St. Patrick’s County Park, invites you to its 11th annual Science Sunday! Come learn about the innovative environmental research happening at Notre Dame. Scientists from the Colleges of Science and Engineering will conduct on-site demonstrations. Enjoy hands-on exhibits for children of all ages and public tours of the facility, which is home to a pair of bald eagles! Complimentary refreshments will be provided.
Weed Wrangle
Saturday, October 12, 9am – 12pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn parking lot Fee: Free!
Help the parks fight back against the invasive species of shrubs and vines growing along the edges of the white pines at St. Patrick’s County Park. Learn to identify and manage these invasives with hands-on removal in our collective effort to reduce their negative impact. Dress in long sleeves and pants. If you have your own equipment, bring it along. Registration required by October 10.
Adaptive Hayride
Saturday, October 12, 10am – 12pm
Bendix Woods County Park:
Van Paris Shelter
Fee: $5/person
For program information or reservations, call 574/654-3155. Follow or like us on Facebook or X (Twitter) for program updates and for fun family activities in the parks.
November
The St. Joseph County Parks are committed to being an accessible, inclusive environment for people to make connections with the natural world. Join us for a special morning of activities geared for families with members on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing needs. Enjoy a hayride, snacks, and more!
Registration and payment required by October 10.
Public Hayrides
Sunday, October 13
Departure Times: 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Playground Fee: $3/person
Hayrides are one of the best ways to enjoy Bendix Woods County Park in the fall. Sit back, relax, and take in the beautiful colors and crisp autumn air.
Neon Hayride
Friday, October 18, 7pm – 9pm
Bendix Woods County Park:
Deneve Shelter Fee: $7/person
Come light up the night with bright neon colors! Paint your face and take a glow-in-the-dark hayride. Colorful treats afterwards will add to the fun!
Fall Fling for the Little Ones
Wednesday, October 23, 10am – 12pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Playground Fee: Free!
Owls, spiders, and bats, oh my! Join us for a special morning of activities for children five and under as we explore the amazing lives of Halloween animals. Create a unique craft, hear a fall story, sample a tasty snack, play on the playground, and enjoy a hayride! This program is free thanks to a generous grant from the Dr. Elmer R. Graber Youth Fund for Exploring Nature. Registration required by October 21.
Overhead and Underfoot:
Autumn’s Subtleties & Splendor
Saturday, November 2, 8:30am – 10:30am
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve: Visitor Center
Fee: $7/person
Learn how life responds to fall’s diminishing sunlight and cooler temperatures. Begin with an indoor introduction to what’s going on with the plants, animals, and insects that share our world. Then head out for a naturalist-led hike to look and listen for nature in action. Registration and payment due by October 29.
Persimmon Hike
Saturday, November 2, 3pm – 5pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Fragomeni Shelter
Fee: $5/person
Join us for a hike to learn about a native fruit tree called the American persimmon. Afterwards, enjoy some treats made from this delicious fruit! Please wear durable hiking boots and dress for the weather.
Tail Waggin’ Hayrides
Sunday, November 3, 2pm – 4pm
Bendix Woods County Park:
Van Paris Shelter
Fee: $5/person, and pet-related donation Bring your furry friend for a tractor-drawn hayride through the crisp autumn air. Afterwards, warm up by the campfire with free hot cocoa and s’mores. Pet-related donations aid PetsConnect! Pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times.
Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake: Research at the Parks
Wednesday, November 13, 5pm – 7pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Nature Center Fee: Free!
Join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake to discover the many research projects that take place in the county parks! Learn how local scientists are conducting surveys of endangered snakes and bumblebees, looking for invasive species like the Spotted Lanternfly, and more. The presentation will be followed by refreshments and a brief meeting where you can hear updates about volunteer opportunities and other ways the Friends organization supports the parks.
The Art of Owls
Saturday, November 16, 1pm – 4pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Fee: $5/person
Come experience all things Owls as part of our Art in the Park Series! Hear stories, learn about owls and their habitats, and make owl creations using materials straight from their habitat.
December
Cocoa, Candy Canes, & Crafts
Saturday, December 7, 10am – 12pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Nature Center Fee: $5/person
Put a unique, nature-themed spin on this year’s handmade project by using materials collected from right outside. Tunes, treats, and a warm drink will be provided. Registration and payment required by December 5.
Santa Paws Pet Pictures
Saturday, December 7, 1pm – 4pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Fee: Free with pet-related donation
Bring your furry friends to meet Santa Claus!
Receive a complimentary, professionally taken photo with donation of a pet-related item. Enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores, available for purchase. Pet-related donations aid PetsConnect!
Cookies with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Sunday, December 8, 12pm – 3pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Fee: $7/child
Santa and Mrs. Claus are making an early visit to St. Patrick’s County Park! Come have a professional photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, decorate a cookie, and then write a colorful letter to Santa to share your wishes. A picture-perfect way to kick off the holidays!
expert eDucatioN for aDultS!
Hoosier Riverwatch Basic Training
Saturday, September 21, 8:30am – 4:30pm • St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn Fee: FREE!
Become certified to monitor a stream with the Hoosier Riverwatch Program! Get hands-on experience evaluating stream health using chemical testing kits and aquatic insect collection and identification. After completing the training, volunteers can test local streams and submit their data to a statewide database. The training takes place both indoors and outdoors. Dress for the weather, prepare for wet feet, and bring a lunch. Open to all adults; earns 7 professional growth points for educators. Instruction provided by the St. Joseph County Parks and the St. Joseph River Basin Commission. Registration required by September 16. Call 574/654-3155 to register.
Become an Indiana Master Naturalist!
During this 11-session series for adults, explore the world of Indiana’s natural history with local experts on fish, glacial geology, freshwater ecosystems, birds, invasive species, and more! Please visit www.sjcparks.org to find out more information and to get the registration brochure. Questions? Contact Amal at afarrough@sjcparks.org.
Friday, October 4
Movie begins at 7:30pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Amphitheater Hill Fee: FREE!
Family Movie Night!
Come with your family and friends to watch Inside Out 2 outdoors on the big screen! There will be food trucks and fun for all!
This free community event is sponsored by Everwise Credit Union, TPC Technologies, and St. Joseph County Parks.
Looking for the “BIG TREES” of St. Joseph County
We are now accepting nominations for The Big Trees of St. Joseph County. A list of the largest of each native tree species can be found online. The response to this program has been outstanding in past years, but the program is continually seeking new nominations. Categories which have no current champion include Black Walnut, Red Oak, and Flowering Dogwood. To nominate a tree, find out more information, or to get a nomination form, please visit sjcparks.org. Questions? Contact Amal at afarrough@sjcparks.org.
Volunteers and Donors
You all help the county parks in many ways! Visit sjcparks.org if you would like to become a volunteer, join the St. Joseph County Parks Foundation, or join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake.
Thankyou
Felix Bueno, Virginia Calvin, Larry Catanzarite,
Evers, John Ferrettie, Thomas Panzica, Donna Pfeil
Fall Leisure Activities
Book a Hayride
When: Wednesday – Sunday
September 27 – November 2
Site: Bendix Woods County Park
Time: Begins at 1pm, 3:30pm, 6pm, or 8:30pm
Fee: $140/up to 80 people
Looking to start a yearly tradition with your friends, family, or organization? We have just the event for you! We offer private, two-hour long tractor-drawn hayrides. This wagon ride gives your group the chance to relax, bond, create memories, and just have fun! For availability or to book your group, call 574/654-3155.
Free Fishing Days
When: September 28
Site: Ferrettie/Baugo Creek and St. Patrick’s County Parks
Time: Available during park hours
Fee: Free gate fee for those fishing, just show us your poles!
These days only, Indiana residents may fish without a state fishing license in Indiana waters. Free Fishing Days were created by the Indiana General Assembly and are designated each year by the Department of Natural Resources to promote angling as a recreational activity.
Disc Golf
When: Open daily, Pro Shop hours vary
Site: Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park
Pro Shop located in Gatehouse
Time: Course open 10am – Park Close
Fee: Daily pass: $4/adult
$3/youth (age 15 and under)
Annual pass: $40/adult
$20/youth (age 15 and under)
Combo disc golf/gate pass:
$60/adult, $40/youth
Tee off year-round on our 18-hole course! Perfect for players of all skill levels, the varying terrain and obstacles will offer challenge and enjoyment to seasoned pros and newcomers alike!
Stay in touch with the St. Joseph County Parks! Join our email list for updates, park news, and events!
Public Canoe & Kayak Rentals
Get your family and friends together and paddle down the beautiful St. Joseph River!
When: Friday – Sunday and Holidays: through October 6
Closed Mon – Thurs (except holidays)
Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Time: 11am – 4pm
All vessels must be returned by 7pm
Fee: *Gate fee in effect Fri – Sun through Labor Day
After Labor Day, only Sat – Sun
*Operation is weather and river conditions permitting.
Short Trip - 4 miles (3 hours)
Single Kayak
Canoe or Double Kayak
Long Trip - 10 miles (5 hours)
Single Kayak
Canoe or Double Kayak
$25
$30
$35
$40
Rental includes vessel, paddles, required life jackets, and shuttle service. Renters must be at least 18 years old and present a valid picture ID. Adults must accompany anyone under 18. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on county vessels. This activity is not recommended for children 3 years of age or younger.
Night Hikes
When: September 12: Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park: Gatehouse
October 10:
St. Patrick’s County Park: White Barn parking lot
November 14:
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve: Visitor Center
December 12:
Bendix Woods County Park: Runnels Shelter
Time: 6:30pm – 8pm
Fee: $5/person
Have you ever wondered what nature is out at night? Come explore the St. Joseph County Parks as we hike at night! Hikes will be self-led. Lanterns will be provided. Registration required by the Tuesday prior to each program.
“Extended” Fall Paddles
When: Saturdays, October 12 – 26
Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Time: 11am – 3pm
All vessels must be returned by 5pm
Fee: $25/single kayak
$30/double kayak or canoe
*Operation is weather and river conditions permitting.
Paddle down the St. Joseph River and experience the glorious colors of fall. Cooler temperatures and diminished crowds make this a perfect time to enjoy the water one last time. This activity is not recommended for children 3 years of age or younger.
Inner Tubing Parties
Monday, December 2, we will begin accepting reservations for private winter inner tubing parties at St. Patrick’s and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks. For more information or to make a reservation, call St. Joseph County Parks at 574/654-3155. To print registration information, visit sjcparks.org.
Winter Wonderland Ornament Hunt
Fridays, December 6 – 27
Fee: Free, *Regular gate fees in effect Elves have hidden ornaments around the St. Joseph County Parks and they want YOU to embark on a quest to find them! Every Friday in December, the elves will unveil clues on the Park’s Facebook Page to help lead you to the secret ornament hideaways. Join the game, locate the ornaments, snap a photo, and submit them for a chance to win park prizes!
The St. Joseph County Parks provide winter tubing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing opportunities for park patrons. Help us make this winter fun for our community!
Positions available at both Ferrettie/Baugo Creek and St. Patrick’s County Parks. Minimum age 15 and must be able to work weekends beginning December 26 – March 14.
Apply online at sjcindiana.gov beginning October 17.
at Bendix Woods
Wear your favorite costume and join us for a SPOOKtacular evening in the park to investigate spooky creatures of the night and what they symbolize during HALLOWEEN!
Enjoy a fall hayride • Discover nocturnal animals Make a nature craft • Roast a hot dog And more!
Park Hours
Bendix Woods County Park October 26, 2024
5pm — 9pm • $8/vehicle
Visit sjcparks.org for more information.
Park Hours & Gate Fees
Holiday Closings:
Bendix Woods, St. Patrick’s, and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks:
August 5 – September 15: 10am – 8:30pm September 16 – November 2: 10am – 7pm November 3 – December 31: 10am – 5:30pm
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve opens one hour later and closes one hour earlier than the above times. No entrance fee.
The County Parks will be closed on November 28 & December 25 for county-observed holidays. On December 24, Bendix Woods, Ferrettie/Baugo Creek, and St. Patrick’s County Parks will close at 3:30pm. Spicer Lake Nature Preserve will be closed on December 24.
Bendix Woods County Park
Park Entrance Fee
Fees in effect on weekends and holidays April – October.
$4/in-county vehicle
$5/out-of-county vehicle
$8/vehicle at special events
*Gate fees will also be collected on Fridays at St. Patrick’s and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Park & Trail Locations
56960 Timothy Rd. • New Carlisle, IN 46552
Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park
57057 Ash Rd. • Osceola, IN 46561
St. Patrick’s County Park
50651 Laurel Rd. • South Bend, IN 46637
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve
50840 County Line Rd. • New Carlisle, IN 46552
Access to All
Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve 58111 Crumstown Hwy. • South Bend, IN 46619
Beverly D. Crone Restoration Area Jackson Rd./Linden Rd. • South Bend, IN 46614
LaSalle Trail
Roseland, IN to the Michigan State Line
Jasinski Public Access Site Crumstown Hwy. • North Liberty, IN 46554
St. Joseph County Parks’ programs and facilities are available to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, limited English proficiency, sex, age, or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be requested in advance to provide participation in desired programs and activities. Persons needing services, accommodations, and support for accessibility, or for complaints, please call the County Parks’ office: 574/277-4828.
• St. Joseph County Parks are smoke-free. •