Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources unveils America 250 celebrations

OHIO — America is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next year, and across the country celebrations are being planned for the nation. 

Within Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has shared its schedule of events to commemorate the anniversary.

“ODNR is absolutely thrilled to be hosting a variety of events across our state to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our great nation,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “We invite visitors to join us on hikes, history tours, open houses, and so much more that will immerse people in nature while celebrating America’s history.”

The department has planned more than 50 events throughout the year open to the public. 

Events kick off at the start of 2026 and include: 

“Jan. 2026:

• Annual Winter Hike at Hocking Hills State Park: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

Feb. 2026

• Annual Winter Hike at Clifton Gorge State Park: Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

March 2026

• Scavenger Hunt at Indian Lake State Park: Saturday, March 7, 2026
• Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve Wildflower Ramble: Saturday, March 21, 2026
• St. Marys State Fish Hatchery Open House: Saturday, March 28, 2026

April 2026

• Steve Newman Audio Trail Opening at East Fork State Park: Wednesday, April 1,2026
• Hebron State Fish Hatchery Open House: Saturday, April 4, 2026
• Senecaville State Fish Hatchery Open House: Saturday, April 4, 2026
• Castalia State Fish Hatchery Open House: Saturday, April 4, 2026
• Floating Through History with the Goodyear Blimp at Wingfoot State Park: Saturday, April 4, 2026
• America 250 Legacy Tree Celebration at Johnson Woods: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
• Kincaid Fish Hatchery Open House: Saturday, April 18, 2026
• America 250 Cemetery Tour at Salt Fork State Park: Saturday, April 18, 2026
• London State Fish Hatchery Open House: Saturday, April 25, 2026
• Lock Fest at Lake White: Saturday, April 25, 2026
• America 250 Lighthouses of Lake Erie: Saturday, April 25, 2026
• 250,000th Girl Scout Tree Planting: Saturday, April 25, 2026

May 2026

• Heart of it All Jamboree at Salt Fork State Park: Friday, May 1, 2026 – Sunday, May 3, 2026 (Registration required)
• Bird Ohio Day at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area: Friday, May 8, 2026 (Tentative date)
• America 250 Arts at A.W. Marion State Park: Saturday, May 9, 2026
• Birdwatching on the Lake at Buck Creek State Park: Saturday, May 23, 2026

June 2026

• Maumee Bay State Park BioBlitz: Monday, June 1, 2026
• Great Council State Park Heritage Celebration: Saturday, June 6, 2026
• Indian Lake State Park BioBlitz: Saturday, June 6, 2026
• Furnace to Forest Hike at Lake Hope State Park: Saturday, June 6, 2026
• Van Buren State Park BioBlitz: Thursday, June 11, 2026
• Cranberry Bog Biennial Open House: Friday, June 12, 2026
• Ohio Geology Discovery Day at Horace R. Collins Laboratory at Alum Creek State Park: Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Freedom in Nature: Wildlife & Heritage Walk at Alum Creek State Park: Saturday, June 13, 2026
• America 250 Kayak Cruisin’ at Madison Lake State Park: Sunday, June 14, 2026
• America 250 Legacy Tree Celebration at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum: Thursday, June 18,2026
• Movie at the Beach at Indian Lake State Park: Saturday, June 20, 2026
• Naturalist-Led BioBlitz Bonanza at Alum Creek State Park: Saturday, June 20, 2026
• Appalachian Music Festival at Pike Lake State Park: Saturday, June 20, 2026

July 2026

• A Patriotic Fourth at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• 4th of July Fireworks at Indian Lake State Park: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Maples & Manuscripts at Dillon State Park: Thursday, July 9, 2026
• Learning Adventures: Based on the Book at Dillon State Park: Saturday, July 11, 2026
• Food Truck Picnic at Indian Lake State Park: Saturday, July 11, 2026
• America 250 Deer Creek Beach Bash: Sunday, July 12, 2026

Aug. 2026

• Meteor Shower Campout at Caesar Creek State Park: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026
• A Walk Through History at Independence Dam State Park: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026

Sept. 2026

• America 250 Legacy Tree Celebration at Goll Woods State Nature Preserve: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026
• Pickleball Tournament at Indian Lake State Park: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026
• America 250 Historical Firearms Demonstration and Education Open House at Delaware Shooting Range: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
• Dr. E. Lucy Braun Lookout Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Shawnee State Park: Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026

Oct. 2026

• Celestial Stories of the Underground Railroad at Caesar Creek State Park: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
• Hollywood Returns to Malabar Farm State Park Movie Event: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
• Native Edible Plants Hike at Indian Lake State Park: Saturday, Oct.10, 2026
• Grandma Gatewood Fall Colors Hike at Hocking Hills State Park: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
• Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve Annual Fall Open House: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Nov. 2026

• Trail of Heroes Dedication at Cowan Lake State Park: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
• Letters Home Trail Opening at Mohican State Forest: Date to be announced”