Sep 11, 2025 Indiana State Parks Adventure Backpacks
I was so excited when I learned that we would have state park passes available to check out from our library! The entry pass provides gate admission for all individuals in one vehicle*.
It was an added bonus when I learned that the state park pass comes with a backpack full of fun and helpful hiking gear. My family loves to visit state parks for weekend getaways or mini vacations, so we checked out an Adventure Backpack for an early summer camping trip. It did not disappoint! The kit comes with two pairs of binoculars and two magnifying glasses. That was enough to share between the four members of my family, as we took turns looking skyward with the binoculars and up close at creepy crawlies with the magnifying glasses.
The backpack also includes “Find It!” cards that kept all of us engaged during our long hike. We were all very intent on finding rough, smooth, stinky, and many more things, leading us to be much more observant of the nature around us. The included plant and bird identification cards were very handy as well. Our dogs didn’t want to slow down, so we took pictures of what we wanted to identify and compared the cards to our pictures during a snack break.
Finally, my daughter really enjoyed adding to the included journal and sharing about our state park adventure. If you check a backpack out, don’t forget to share about your experience as well. I can truly say the Indiana State Parks Adventure Backpack added an extra layer of fun and exploration to our trip!
With the weather turning towards cooler temps, now is a perfect time to head to a state park! We have three Indiana State Park Adventure Backpacks available at the Zionsville Branch and two available at the Whitestown Branch. To check one out visit the Youth Services Reference Desk in Zionsville and the Public Services Desk in Whitestown. Backpacks check-out for seven days and are not holdable or renewable. Come to the library and check one out today!
*The Indiana State Park entry pass provides free entry to all individuals in a family-type vehicle. Groups arriving on buses and/or commercial vehicles are not eligible to use the pass included in the HMMPL Adventure Backpacks.