Photograph by Kim Winenger – Winter 2024 Top Winner – Life Through the Lens Photography Contest
Calendar of Events
December
Winter Wonderland Ornament Hunt
Tuesdays, December 2 – 30
St. Joseph County Parks locations
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 Tuesday in December, the elves will unveil clues on the Parks’ Facebook page to help lead you to the secret ornament hideaways. Join the game, locate the ornaments, snap a photo, and submit them to mgohn@sjcparks.org for a chance to win park prizes!
Full Moon Hike
Thursday, December 4 5pm – 7pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Fee: $5/person
Experience the park after dark! Hike the trails with friends and family under the last full moon of 2025! Known as the Cold Moon, this is a unique opportunity to explore nature in cold, crisp air and soft shadows. Registration and payment required by Monday, December 1.
Winter Holiday Hayride
Saturday, December 6 5pm – 7pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer Shelter Fee: $8/person
Kick off the holiday season with friends and family on a holiday hayride through beautiful Bendix Woods in our winter-themed haywagons! Enjoy hot cocoa and treats by the fire, create a holiday craft, and make merry in a holiday atmosphere. Registration and payment required by Wednesday, December 3.
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Santa Paws Pet Pictures
Sunday, 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, available for purchase. Pet-related donations aid PetsConnect!
Cookies With Santa and Mrs. Claus
Sunday, December 14 12pm – 3pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Fee: $8/child
Santa and Mrs. Claus are making an early visit to St. Patrick’s County Park! Come hear a story from Mrs. Claus, decorate a cookie, and write a letter to Santa while waiting to have professional photos taken with Kris Kringle himself! A picture-perfect way to kick off the holidays! Registration and payment required by Wednesday, December 10.
Winter Solstice Hike
Sunday, December 21 6pm – 8pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Fee: $5/person
Bundle up and join us for a hike on the longest night of the year. Enjoy the brisk air while following a glowing trail. Afterwards, enjoy a fun treat, hot cocoa, and make a solstice ornament. Lanterns will be available for each family to help guide the way. Registration and payment required by Friday, December 19.
January
Click and Go!
Saturdays, January 10, 17, 24, 31 1pm – 2pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn Fee: $15/person
*includes equipment (skis, boots, & poles) Would you like a quick lesson in cross country skiing basics? This lesson is for you! We will cover getting in and out of the skis, how to use your poles, how to glide and how to get up after a fall. *Weather conditions permitting.
Myths in the Moonlight
Wednesday, January 14 6pm – 9pm
Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park: Disc Golf Course & Baugo Station Astor Room Fee: $5/person
Join us for a magical evening hike as we follow the story of Perseus told through the stars of the night sky. Along this guided trail, you’ll visit several illuminated stations providing details of the legendary Greek hero’s epic journey. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the trail. Registration and payment required by Monday, January 12.
Maple 101
Wednesday, January 14 5:30pm – 7:30pm St. Patrick’s County Park: Harvest Room Fee: Free!
Join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake as we explore the magic and science of maple sugaring! We’ll explore the history of this local product, modern syrup-making methods, and how the sugaring operation works at Bendix Woods. This is a perfect introduction if you would like to volunteer in our Sugar House or tap your own trees at home! The 45-minute presentation will be followed by refreshments and a meeting of the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake where you can hear updates about volunteer opportunities and other ways that the Friends support the parks.
For program information or to register, call Bendix Woods County Park at 574/654 - 3155.
Sweet and Savory Maple Cuisine
Saturday, January 17 11am – 1:30pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Nature Center West Wing
Fee: $15/person
Join us as we reveal the magic of maple syrup and explore the different ways to enjoy it. Learn how versatile and fun cooking with pure, local maple syrup can be by preparing and cooking maple cranberry sweet potatoes and Pouding Chômeur (Québécois Maple Pudding). Come hungry! Registration and payment required by Tuesday, January 13.
Winter Fling for the Little Ones
Tuesday, January 20 10am – 12pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Fee: Free! *Ages 5 and younger Winter is a lovely time to get outdoors with kids! Join us for a special morning of activities for children five and under. Experience the best of the season with a snowy adventure including crafts, stories, and snacks. Then head out onto the hill for some tubing! This program is free thanks to a generous grant from the Dr. Elmer R. Graber Youth Fund for Exploring Nature. Registration required by Friday, January 16. *Weather conditions permitting.
February
Tapping Day
Saturday, February 14 10am – 12:30pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Sauk Trail Shelter Fee: Free!
The sap will soon be running and it’s time to tap the maple trees! Volunteers are needed to help get the Bendix Woods Sugar Bush ready for making maple syrup! Experienced sugar-makers will take you out into the woods and show you how to tap maple trees and hang tubing used to collect sap. This activity is outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather.
*This year, the date will be chosen based on the best-fit weather for the start of the season.
*The ‘early start’ back-up date is Saturday, February 7. Registration required by the prior Thursday.
Winter Glow O
Friday, February 20 6pm – 8pm
St. Patrick’s County Park: Hurwich Shelter Fee: $5/person
Bring your headlamp and map-reading skills to St. Patrick’s County Park for glow-in-the-dark orienteering! Experience the park after hours in search of glowing controls out on the trails. Glow sticks, temporary tattoos, and treats will light up the mid-winter night experience. Registration and payment required by Wednesday, February 18.
Activity Guide Sponsor
Follow or like us on Facebook or X (Twitter) for program updates and for fun family activities in the parks.
march
Science Spotlight
Wednesday, March 4 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Bendix Woods County Park: Nature Center West Wing Fee: Free!
St. Joseph County Parks provide habitat for a wide diversity of animals and plants, and documenting the species present and their habitat preferences can help us to conserve them. Join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake as St. Mary’s College faculty and students share results from two research projects conducted during the summer/fall at St. Patrick’s County Park. They conducted bumble bee surveys and also used camera traps to photograph mammals. This 45-minute presentation will be followed by refreshments and a meeting of the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake where you can hear updates about volunteer opportunities and other ways the Friends group supports the Parks.
Sugar Camp Days
Saturday and Sunday, 8am – 3pm March 14 and 15
Bendix Woods County Park Fee: $8/vehicle
Save the date for the 53rd annual Sugar Camp Days and join us in celebration of the end of winter! Watch sap cook into sweet syrup in the Sugar House, tour the Sugar Bush, observe indigenous and pioneer methods of making maple syrup and maple sugar enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast (a New Carlisle Lion’s Club fundraiser), purchase homemade baked goods made with pure maple syrup, try maple kettle corn and cotton candy, enjoy family music, and so much more!
Life Through the Lens
2026 Photography Contest Update
FOUR new categories will kick off the 2026 Life Through the Lens Photography Contest!
FOUR New Categories
Win an opportunity to have your nature photography featured on the cover of our seasonal Activity Guide!
From leisurely smartphone snapshots to professional level camerawork, participants of all levels can submit their photographs to capture the beauty of our local county parks.
Visit sjcparks.org for more information and contest rules.
Volunteers and Donors
Your support and contributions make a valuable difference in helping us achieve our goals! If you would like to become a volunteer or host a volunteer workday for your business or organization, visit sjcparks.org.
Volunteers: *Dave Suter • Vicky Holt • Lynn Smith • Jacob Waldron • Jack Erdman • Catherine Farrough • Nicholas Sims • William Horvath
Debra McClain • June Koehler • Jeremy Sheets • Baylee Taylor • Kirsten Sharpe • Andrew Smith • Susan Antonovitz • Gary and Nancy Beall John and Alice Bentley • Marilyn Cook • Michael Davids • Brenda Phillips • Evelyn Teske • Christopher Beals • Erin Bonin • Larry Catanzarite Judy Carlson • Rick, Cindi and Kevin Clawson • Mary Dominick • Ursula Godinez • Judy Martin Godshalk • Patty Lawton • Jeff McGowan Rocio Giron Ortega • Donna Pfeil • Nancy Owsianowski • Nikki Rector • Gabriela Rios • Breanna Schuler • Brandy Wanbaugh • Jocelyn Zaca
Thankyou
Dave Suter splits wood at Bendix Woods County Park for the upcoming Maple Syrup Season!
Activity Guide Sponsor
Michael Denman • Ben Reinoehl • Steve Hummer • Notre Dame Alumni Family Volunteer Camp • Notre Dame Bioengineering • Patty Fowler
Sponsors & Donors: University of Notre Dame • Scott D. and Tara J. Smith Fund of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County • DLZ Gates Chevrolet • Morris Animal Hospital • Centier Bank • Kruggel Lawton, CPA • Roseland Animal Hospital • McDonald Physical Therapy Nimbello • Athletico PT • Plastic by Design, Inc • GVC Mortgage • Del Meyer, Weichert Realty • Indiana Trust Wealth Management Indiana Michigan Power Foundation • North American Signs • St. Joseph County Parks Foundation • Lehman’s Orchard
Have a passion for parks? Join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake or the St. Joseph County Parks Foundation!
Rent a Facility or Shelter!
The Red Barn and adjacent Goodhew Gazebo at St. Patrick’s County Park are the perfect setting for a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony and indoor reception. - Seasonal Scenes- People in the Park- Wildlife- Micro -
Now booking reservations for 2026 dates. For facility and picnic shelter rentals, please call 574/277 - 4828.
Parks Board: Felix Bueno, Virginia Calvin, Larry Catanzarite, Emily Evers, John Ferrettie, Thomas Panzica, Donna Pfeil
Winter Leisure Activities
*Winter leisure activities – snow tubing • cross-country skiing • snowshoeing – are snow conditions permitting.
Public Snow Tubing
When: December 26 – January 4: daily January 10 – March 8: weekends only
Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park: Baugo Station
Time: 12pm – 5pm
Fee: $5/person, *Regular gate fees in effect
Enjoy winter fun in the snow! Our snow tubing hills offer multiple supervised lanes and canvas-covered snow tubes with plastic bottoms and handles are provided. Each snow tubing hill has a capacity of 150 active tubers at a given time. Check our Facebook page or X (Twitter) feed for updates and hill status! *Sleds and toboggans are not permitted. Not recommended for children 3 years of age or younger.
Private Snow Tubing Parties
Private parties are great events for your club, school, church, business, or family event. Parties for up to 80 people are available during the week and after public hours on the weekends at both St. Patrick’s and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks. Tuesday, December 2, we will begin accepting reservations. For more information or to make a reservation, call 574/654 - 3155. To print reservation information, visit sjcparks.org.
Snowshoeing
When: Wednesday – Sunday December 26 through March 8
Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn
Time: 10am – 4pm all equipment must be returned by 5pm
Fee: $5/person, *Regular gate fees in effect Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy winter sights and sounds. Plus, it never hurts to get a little added exercise in the winter! Rentals are available for both children and adults and recommended when snowfall levels are at or above 6 inches.
Preschool Snow Tubing
When: Every Thursday
January 15 through February 19
Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Fee: Free!
Ages: 3 to 5 years old
Fun for families with preschoolers, snow tubing is a perfect way to spend a snowy afternoon together. Leave the older kids at home – this one is just for the little ones!
Night Snow Tubing
When: Fridays, January 2, 16, & 30
Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Fee: $5/person, *Regular gate fees in effect
Grab your friends, bundle up, and experience the thrill of snow tubing under the stars! Our snow tubing hills offer multiple supervised lanes and canvas-covered snow tubes with plastic bottoms and handles are provided. The snow tubing hill has a capacity of 150 active tubers at a given time. Check our Facebook page or X (Twitter) feed for updates and hill status! *Sleds and toboggans are not permitted. Not recommended for children 3 years of age or younger.
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
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!
Cross-Country Skiing
When: Wednesday – Sunday December 26 through March 8
Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn
Time: 10am – 4pm all equipment must be returned by 5pm
Fee: *Regular gate fees in effect
$10 Ski Rental available (includes skis, boots, and poles)
Daily Trail Pass: $5/adult, $4/youth (ages 15 and under)
Seasonal Trail Pass: $20/adult, $15/youth (ages 15 and under)
St. Patrick’s County Park takes on a special beauty during winter. Enjoy the winter scenery, get healthy exercise, and have fun skiing over 6 miles of trails. Ski trails are groomed throughout the week. Rentals are available for both children and adults. Seasonal trail passes are honored at Madeline Bertrand County Park during regular business hours; gate fee not included. Check our Facebook page or X (Twitter) feed for trail condition updates.
Night Skiing
When: Fridays, January 9, 16, 23, & 30
Site: St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Fee: *Regular gate fees in effect
$10 Ski Rental available (includes skis, boots, and poles)
Daily Trail Pass: $5/adult, $4/youth (ages 15 and under)
Seasonal Trail Pass: $20/adult, $15/youth (ages 15 and under)
Enjoy skiing by the light of glowing luminaries on snow-covered trails. At the Manion Cabin, warm up by the outdoor campfire with a hot drink and a winter treat! Registration and payment required by the prior Wednesday.
Discover the Magic of Maple Syrup at Sugar Camp Days
Save the date for Sugar Camp Days and join us in celebration of this sweet tradition!
Watch sap cook into syrup • Enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast Purchase homemade maple baked goods • Tour the Sugar Bush Try maple kettle corn and cotton candy • Enjoy family music And MUCH MORE!
Bendix Woods County Park
Saturday and Sunday March 14 & 15, 2026 8am – 3pm • $8/vehicle
Treats and treasures available for purchase at the event! *Cash preferred.
Thank you to our current 2026 Sugar Camp Days Sponsors: St. Joseph County Parks Foundation • Indiana Michigan Power Foundation • University of Notre Dame
If you would like to sponsor this community event, please contact Amal Farrough at afarrough@sjcparks.org or call 574/654 - 3155.
Park Hours & Gate Fees
Park Hours
Bendix Woods, St. Patrick’s, and Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Parks:
November 2 – December 31: 10am – 5:30pm
January 1 – March 7: 10am – 5:30pm March 8 – April 4: 10am – 7pm
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve opens one hour later and closes one hour earlier than the above times. No entrance fee.
Holiday Closings
All County Parks will be closed on November 27 & 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 close at 2:30pm.
Bendix Woods County Park
56960 Timothy Rd. • New Carlisle, IN 46552
Anderson Trail County Park 10761 Anderson Rd. • Granger, IN 46530
Jasinski Public Access Site
Crumstown Hwy. • North Liberty, IN 46554
Park Entrance Fees
Park entrance fee in effect during winter activity season and special events. $4/in-county vehicle, $5/out-of-county vehicle $8/vehicle at special events
Note: Fees for special events or programs may be different from, or in addition to, park entrance fees. Consult the activity listing in this guide or visit sjcparks.org for more information.
Park & Trail Locations
Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park 57057 Ash Rd. • Osceola, IN 46561
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve 50840 County Line Rd. • New Carlisle, IN 46552
Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve 58111 Crumstown Hwy. • South Bend, IN 46619
Access to All
St. Patrick’s County Park 50651 Laurel Rd. • South Bend, IN 46637
Beverly D. Crone Restoration Area Jackson Rd./Linden Rd. • South Bend, IN 46614
LaSalle Trail
Roseland, IN to the Michigan State Line
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. •