CALLING ALL NATURE LOVERS〰️
CALLING ALL NATURE LOVERS〰️
Making a Difference
Starts With You
Friends members bring together a love of nature and environment to enhance experiences, educate visitors and help maintain our beloved state parks.
We love nothing more than seeing a park full of nature-loving visitors at Turkey Run and Shades State Parks! They’re consistently ranked as some of the best state parks in the country and Turkey Run’s Trail 3 was recently named the best hiking trail in the midwest by Midwest Living magazine!
HIKING, CAMPING, INN and CABINS, SWIMMING, PICNICING, CANOEING, PROGRAMS, DINING, NATURE CENTER, SHOPPING
Memberships and renewals…just
UPCOMING EVENTS…
We’re so excited!
MUSIC IN THE PARK IS BACK!
MARSHALL, Ind. — The Friends of Turkey Run and Shades is proud to announce the return of Music in the Park 2026, the popular summer concert series held at Turkey Run State Park. The annual event invites visitors of all ages to gather outdoors and enjoy live music in one of Indiana’s most scenic natural settings.
This year’s concert series has been made possible through generous donations given in memory of Todd Crosby, whose lifelong love of Turkey Run inspired the meaningful gift. Todd cherished visits to Turkey Run from childhood and created many lasting memories there with his family over the years. During his courageous battle with cancer, the park continued to provide comfort and joy.
“In the later months of his cancer battle, a perfect day for Todd was to go to a Saturday night concert at Turkey Run listening to music and enjoying the beautiful outdoors,” said his mother, Susan Crosby. “Hopefully, this gift to the Friends will also bring enjoyment to other peoples lives.”
Music in the Park has become a favorite summer tradition for park guests, offering evenings filled with music, community, and the natural beauty of Turkey Run State Park. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
Dates for this year’s music will be every other Saturday from 6-8 p.m. starting June 13 and continuing through August. More events may be added in the fall and will be announced on the Friends’ website and Facebook pages.
On the schedule for June 13 is Tip Jar Troubadours with Jack Shannon and Mark Nolin. June 27 will be Jason Luce returning from last year. July 11 is Coal Creek Station and July 25 is The Nuthatch group with Jim Swift. August 8 will feature Raccoons in the Pantry and August 22 will be Rogue Angels. (More info in the sidebars)
Media Contact:
Friends of Turkey Run and Shades
Anita Gerrish
765-918-8667
ajgerrish@gmail.com
2026 MUSIC IN THE PARK SCHEDULE
JUNE 13
TIP JAR TROUBADOURS with Jack Shannon and Mark Nolin. Lively music ranging from Bluegrass to oldies
JUNE 27
JASON LUCE, back by popular demand with his range of rock covers through the decades.
JULY 11
COAL CREEK STATION’s group of talented musicians plays Bluegrass, folk rock and classic country
JULY 25
NUTHATCH is a group fronted by Jim Swift that performs an eclectic mix of music
AUGUST 8
RACCOONS IN THE PANTRY will entertain with a lively mix of Irish music.
AUGUST 22
ROGUE ANGELS is a duo made up of Parke County’s own Kyle Jacks and Jake Eslinger playing a mix of rock classics through the decades.
Check back to see what may be coming in the fall!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
GOT A GREEN THUMB?
Be part of the continuing tradition of keeping the historic Lusk Home garden growing. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their tools and time to work with others in the garden on Tuesday mornings starting at 9 a.m. You don’t have to be a Friends member to help out. It’s a great way for Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners to earn volunteer hours!
Just show up ready to go!
Our Organization
FRIENDS OF TURKEY RUN AND SHADES STATE PARKS (FTRSSP)
Find out about our mission, methods, and the results of our years of advocacy.
“Working with the Friends group makes me feel a bit of ownership of these remarkable parks... like I get to see ‘behind the scenes’ of Mother Nature’s greatness.”
OUR GROUP’S GROWING!
As you can see we’re bigger and better than ever. There’s no better time to join our Friends group and choose where (or how much) you’d like to get involved. We’d love to see more families join. It’s a great way to teach your kids how to take care of and respect this incredible planet we share.
Take Action
Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself by becoming an active member.
Our parks,
Our Friends group is lucky enough that we get to help with not one, but two of the best, most beautiful state parks in Indiana. We like to say “Same creek, same Friends.”
Sugar Creek and its tributaries flow through both of our parks and are credited with the awe-inspiring canyons, cliffs and waterfalls along their rocky shores. As temperatures soar, floating on tubes, canoes or kayaks are popular attractions.
Hiking is another activity that brings visitors to our parks. In fact, both parks are ranked high for having some of the best trails in the midwest.
Shades is often referred to as the more laid-back of the two parks. It boasts spectacular views, natural springs, and rock formations along its miles of trails. It offers primitive campsites and picnic shelters for those looking for a quieter setting. Shades also has some of the darkest skies in Indiana making it attractive to astronomy enthusiasts.
Turkey Run is the second state park formed in Indiana in 1916 to preserve its glacial formations and heavy forestation. The park boasts a number of historic structures and examples of construction done by the CCC in the mid 1930s. Accommodations offered are the Turkey Run Inn and cabins, campgrounds both primitive and electric, and shelter houses for day use.
Contact Us
Park Hours
Daily 7am–11pm
Hiking trails open dawn to dusk
Phone
765-597-2654
turkeyrunandshadesfriends@gmail.com
Facebook
Friends of Turkey Run & Shades State Parks
Locations
Turkey Run State Park 8121 E. Park Road
Marshall, IN 47859
Shades State Park 7751 S. 890 W.
Waveland, IN 47989