INDIANAPOLIS — Outdoor enthusiasts can now earn rewards for exploring Indiana’s natural beauty through a new program from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Angie Manuel, an interpretative services representative for the DNR, said the agency rolled out the program this year to encourage people to enjoy the great outdoors an visit state parks and wildlife areas.

“This year the Indiana DNR rolled out a rewards program to invite people to who already visit parks who are interested in learning more about parks to actually get points be rewarded for visiting our parks, lakes, forests, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves, and then things they do in those properties,” Manuel said.

To start earning, visitors must download the Indiana DNR app. While at a DNR-owned property, users can check in using GPS coordinates or by scanning a QR code. Points are available at nature preserves, fish and wildlife areas, and for specific activities such as boat rentals or attending events.

While there is not a total limit on the points a user can accrue, the system does limit users to one check-in per day at each location. For example, a visitor staying at a campground for a three-day weekend can check in each day to maximize their points.

Participants can redeem 10,000 points for a $25 gift card. These cards are valid for camping reservations or stays at one of the several state park inns.

“Right now it’s when you hit the 10,000 points mark, you get a $25 gift card again to either an inn or a camping reservation,” Manuel said. “Those might grow in the future, but right now it’s gift cards that people just love to receive.”

Manuel recently visited Harmony State Park, where she saw many visitors using the app during a fall event.

“I met lots of folks who were checking in on their DNR rewards app,” Manuel said. “They got points for coming to the park, points for being in the campground over the weekend, for the event, the fall event.”

The program aims to provide motivation for Hoosiers to get outside and check out new locations across Indiana, especially during the peak fall color season in October.

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