Is it Legal to Carry a Handgun While Visiting Indiana State Parks?

Are you prohibited from packing heat at Indiana state parks, even with a carry permit? Let's take a look.

Before diving into the specifics about carrying in state parks, let's take a look at some of the basics. Currently, in Indiana, there is no license required to purchase a firearm, and firearms do not need to be registered. However, the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) notes that Indiana residents under 21 years old but over 18 years old can buy long guns but not handguns. In order to buy a handgun, you must be at least 21 years old.

The ability to carry openly or concealed without a license, also called "constitutional carry," went into effect on July 1, 2022, in Indiana. This law allows anyone who is at least 18 years old and can legally possess a firearm to carry it in the Hoosier State without a license. However, whether one has a valid license or not, there are several places where one cannot carry a firearm, specifically federal buildings like schools or post offices. But what about state parks? Here is what the State of Indiana says about that:

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A person may possess a handgun at DNR State Parks & Reservoir properties with the exceptions of properties that have land leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (e.g., Mississinewa, Salamonie, Patoka, Brookville, Cagles Mill, Cecil M. Harden and Monroe lakes) or at Falls of the Ohio State Park.

So, yes, you can carry a handgun at Indiana state parks, with the above exceptions. It is also worth noting that any other firearm in possession at a state park must be unloaded and stored in a case or locked within a vehicle, except when the owner is participating in an activity authorized by written permit, such as hunting. You can read more and find answers to other frequently asked questions here.