Outdoors this weekend: Hellbenders, fireflies, a night hike and fishin' at the state fair

It's August, kids are already heading back to school and public swimming pools are shutting down for the season, but remember this: Indiana's great outdoors remain open for your enjoyment.

Weekend activities at Indiana state parks include hikes, kids fishing and educational programs on prairie habitat, woodpeckers and Hellbenders. The weather should cooperate, with forecasts both days calling for cloudy skies with highs in the upper 80s and only slight chances of rain.

So get out in Indiana this weekend. Most events are free, but require a park pass or daily admission fee. You can find more state park events here.

Saturday, August 3: Fireflies, fishing, and an island adventure

Tree Trail Hound Hike, 8 a.m., Ouabache State Park,4930 E. State Road 201, Bluffton

Join this a 1.5 mile hound hike on the park's Tree Trail (all are welcome, with or without a pooch). All dogs must be on a maximum 6-foot leash. Meet at Trails End Shelter parking lot at 8 a.m.

Fireflies on the Wabash, 10-11 a.m., Harmonie State Park, 3451 Harmonie State Park Road, New Harmony

Learn the amazing story of fireflies in Indiana. Meet at the Outdoor Education Pavillion at 10 a.m. central time.

DNR Fishin' Pond, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m., Indiana State Fairgrounds

Did you know you can experience the great outdoors at the Indiana State Fair. Children ages 5-17 and their families are invited to visit the Department of Natural Resources building and try their luck at the "Fair Fishin’ Pond," which is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3-6 p.m. Volunteers will be available to help children cast, fish, and remove fish from lines. Bait and cane poles are provided. Catch and release only.

Rose Island History Tour, 10 a.m. to noon, Charlestown State Park, 12500 State Road 62, Charlestown

Meet at the Trail 3 and 4 parking lot for a 2-hour guided tour of Rose Island, the site of a former amusement park that was popular for people from both sides of the Ohio River near Louisville. Hikers are advised to arrive 10 minutes prior. Transportation will be provided down and back up the steep hill from Rose Island for those who need assistance. in need. Check out this video for more on Rose Island.

'Mussel men': Hoosiers plucked tons of shells from Indiana rivers and streams in the name of fashion

Creek Crawl, 2-4 p.m., Charlestown State Park, 12500 State Road 62, Charlestown

Meet at the Oak Shelter for a rugged, 2-mile off-trail adventure. The majority of the route is in a rocky, wet, slippery creek, with water waist-deep at times. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Eye Shine Night Hike, 9:30 p.m., Paynetown SRA, 4850 S. State Road 446, Bloomington

Meet at the front of the Overflow Parking Area for a 1-hour night hike highlighting the beauty of the woods at night. Participants will learn about the animals you can spot after dark, and have a chance to see the shine of some critters' eyes.

Sunday, August 4: Woodpeckers, Hellbenders and prairie habitats

Guided Hike, 9-11 a.m., Deam Lake State Recreation Area, 1217 Deam Lake Rd., Borden

Meet the naturalist at the overflow lot by the Campground Gatehouse for this 2.5 mile hike. The moderate hike will begin heading counterclockwise along Deam Lake Loop (Yellow Trail), come out near the Office/Nature Center, and finish by heading North on Trail 2 from the Apple Orchard Picnic Shelter. Participants are encouraged to wear close-toed shoes and bring their own water, food, sunscreen and insect repellent. Along the way, hikers will have time to explore trees, flowers, and the early signs of fall. This hike will go off, rain or shine, but will be canceled in the event of severe weather.

Woodpecker Walk, 10 a.m. to noon, Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N. Post Road, Indianapolis

Join our naturalist to learn about the variety of woodpeckers that may be heard and seen throughout the park. Meet at the Delaware Lake parking lot with water and comfortable shoes for a 2-mile hike. Binoculars are optional but highly recommended.

Six Habitats Hike, 11 a.m. to noon, Tippecanoe River State Park, 4200 N. U.S. 35, Winamac Enjoy a gentle hike around the prairie while you learn about the six habitats you'll encounter and some of the plants and animals that make them home. Bring spray and water, and wear closed-toed shoes. Meet at the bridge at the Nature Center.

The Hellbender: Saving America's Largest Salamander, 3-4 p.m., Falls of the Ohio State Park, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville

Indiana is home to America’s largest salamander, called the Hellbender, which is only found in the Blue River in Harrison County. Here's your chance to learn more about this amazing aquatic animal, what makes it special, and what you can do to protect its habitat. The hands-on program will cover its adaptations, how water pollution affects it, and how amphibians have changed over geological time using a life-size model of Ichthyostega, the oldest amphibian in the fossil record.

Event descriptions based on sponsor listings.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Outdoors this weekend: Hellbenders, fireflies, a night hike and fishin' at the state fair