Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
July 1
Wed. Bird Walk: Rainbow Bingo
Go over the rainbow and see bluebirds fly! Start the day off seeking out a spectrum of colorful birds at Cobus Creek. We’re adding some fun to this rainbow tour with a birding bingo challenge. Let’s see how many birds our group can find on a walk through the woodlands, waterways, and meadows of Cobus Creek. A few vibrant birds we’re likely to encounter include Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, and Scarlet Tanagers. With an eye for color and a little luck, bird bingo players may just win a little rainbow of their own as a prize!
The group will head out at 8 a.m. — please plan travel time accordingly.
• 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧: Come prepared for a 2-mile hike.
• 𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗥: Walking shoes, water, and breathable layers.
July 1
Nature Explorer Day Camp
Young nature explorers are invited to experience the forest, wetland, and prairie through games, shelter-building, swamp tromps, and LIVE animals! The camp is for three days, with each day exploring a different natural habitat with a fun mix of activities centered around that theme.
July 4
Hot Dogs & Apple Pie
Celebrate the 4th of July at Bonneyville Mill with hot dogs and apple pie! From 11am-1pm, get a hot dog and fresh apple pie with the crust made from Bonneyville Mill flour for $5 per person. Join us and enjoy these American classics as the mill grinds flour all day long. Mill entry and demonstrations are free.
July 7
July 8
July 10
Books & Boots
The Elkhart Public Library has teamed up with the Elkhart County Parks to offer a book club for kids! Each meeting will include a book discussion followed by a park-led activity exploring one of the book’s environmental themes. Activities could include hikes, live animals, and more.
Visit the Elkhart Public Library’s website to check out a copy of this month’s book.
July 10
Paleo Night
Get a taste of what life was like before recorded history! Join us for a night of family-friendly activities to learn how people lived and interacted with their environment during the Paleo period 15,000 years ago. “Hunt” for mammoths, sample Paleo-era foods, watch a flintknapper at work, talk to an archaeologist, practice survival skills, create Paleo-inspired art, and more!
July 11
Spokes & Scoops Bike Ride
Hop on your bike and join us for a fun ride to Vanilla Bean Creamery with our naturalist team! We’ll meet at Ox Bow Haus Shelter before setting off together for an 11-mile ride along the MapleHeart and Elkhart River Greenway Trail. Don’t forget your bike, helmet, water bottle, and some money for your sweet treat.
July 13
Adventure Bike Camp
Embark on an adventure along bike-friendly trails at our cycling camp this summer. Each day will bring new discoveries for cyclists, ages 9-13, as we seek out fun destinations and activities together. During this three-day camp, each day will also have different start and end locations where we will swim, eat sweet treats and experience the fun and adventure Elkhart County has to offer. All you need is a bike, helmet, water bottle, backpack, and sense of adventure!
July 14
Adventure Bike Camp
Embark on an adventure along bike-friendly trails at our cycling camp this summer. Each day will bring new discoveries for cyclists, ages 9-13, as we seek out fun destinations and activities together. During this three-day camp, each day will also have different start and end locations where we will swim, eat sweet treats and experience the fun and adventure Elkhart County has to offer. All you need is a bike, helmet, water bottle, backpack, and sense of adventure!
July 14
Trail Running Club
Lace up for a supported group run in a beautiful county park! Whether you’re new to running or a career track racer looking to head off-road, all levels are welcome. Together we’ll share tips, offer encouragement, and explore scenic trails. Before we head-out we’ll cover a few historical notes about the park, giving context to our run.
• 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧: Come prepared for a 1-1.5 mile run at an easy pace, with the option to repeat.
• 𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗥: sturdy running shoes, layered clothing, water
July 15
Curiosity Club: Parks
Tap into your preschooler’s natural curiosity as we visit Elkhart County Parks’ newest park! Join in the fun and learning with a scavenger hunt along the Pollinator Playpath, a story, craft, and snack.
All Curiosity Club classes in 2026 will have a civics component. Let’s learn together about the helpers in our community!
July 15
Adventure Bike Camp
Embark on an adventure along bike-friendly trails at our cycling camp this summer. Each day will bring new discoveries for cyclists, ages 9-13, as we seek out fun destinations and activities together. During this three-day camp, each day will also have different start and end locations where we will swim, eat sweet treats and experience the fun and adventure Elkhart County has to offer. All you need is a bike, helmet, water bottle, backpack, and sense of adventure!
July 16
Open House at the Schoolhouse
Grab your schoolbooks and step back a century as you explore the One-room Schoolhouse at Bonneyville Mill County Park. Imagine yourself a student sitting in one of the small wooden desks, practicing your handwriting on the heavy slate boards, while keeping warm next to the wood-burning stove. As you catch a glimpse of what life was like for the average run-of-the-mill student, staff will be on-site to answer any questions you may have during these open hours.
July 16
Yoga in the Park
Join Registered Yoga Teacher Amanda for an hour of empowering yoga in the parks. Enjoy guided practice welcoming of all skill levels in a relaxing park environment. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring water and their own mats – a limited number of mats will be available for use. Participants must register in advance.
July 16
Night Hike
Explore Benton Dam after sunset! Join a naturalist to see what comes alive in the park once the sun goes down.
July 17
The Carnivorous Pitcher Plant
Join a naturalist as we venture to the Elkhart Bog Nature Preserve to see these amazing, insect-eating plants in their natural habitat. Along the way, we’ll explore the bog’s ecology, its specialized plant and animal life, and the conservation efforts that protect this fragile environment.
July 18
The Our Waters Experience
Immerse yourself in the history and nature of Elkhart County’s waters. This multi-sensory tour will take you to the banks of the St. Joseph River and through the Museum’s newly opened Our Waters exhibit. Participants will hear Indigenous creation stories, connect with a local river environment, and learn how water has played a role in shaping human, plant, and animal lives in Elkhart County.
July 20
July 21
Hiking Club
Explore the many hiking opportunities within the Elkhart County Parks. Meet new people and hike with the group every third Tuesday of the month at 6pm. In July we meet at Abshire Park to hike on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. The Trail is packed gravel with some elevation change. The hike will be a little over two miles in length. Check out the Elkhart County Parks Hiking Club Facebook Page for reminders and announcements. See you at the hike!
• 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧: Hiking a marked trail with a group
• 𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗥: Comfortable shoes
July 28
Who is the River?
The St. Joseph River is much more than the main channel that flows through the heart of Michiana. Join Dr. Katherine Barrett, Assistant Professor of Biology and Watershed Researcher from Holy Cross College of Notre Dame, to consider the connections that the land and water share, and the diverse stakeholders who have worked to understand the health of our river and its watershed.
July 30
Creatures of the Night: Bats
As night falls, the places we spend time outdoors can feel like a very different place. Familiar trails melt into shadows, and the daytime soundscape is replaced with things that go bump in the night as nocturnal creatures come out to play. Join the Elkhart County Parks as we lift night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of these creatures of the night, from spiders weaving webs to bats on the wing.
In July — Get ready to go a little batty! Join us for an exciting nighttime adventure where we search for bats in the wild and learn all about the amazing species that live right here in our area. We’ll talk about how bats hunt, where they sleep, and why they’re total eco-heroes—helping control bugs and keep nature in balance. Perfect for curious explorers who love animals, the outdoors, and a little after-dark fun! Parking is limited, so please carpool as you are able. We will meet at Goshen Dam Pond Parking Lot (corner of Westwood Rd & Fair Oaks Dr., Goshen)
⚠️☔ This program is weather-dependent. ➠ Check the event page for updates before heading out.
