Indiana Partnered With Bob Ross’s Estate To Plant Happy Little Trees In Two State Parks

Hey, Hoosiers - fun fact! Did you know that the legendary Bob Ross show, the Joy of Painting, was filmed right here in Indiana? Yup! Filmed in an old, historic home in Muncie, this space is now part of an amazing museum located at the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. And now, we have another Bob Ross reason to love Indiana: the Happy Little Trees 5K has generously donated numerous beautiful, young trees to two of our wondrous state parks.

Firstly, just over one dozen trees were planted at the legendary, Middle-Earth-like paradise known as Clifty Falls State Park.

This awe-inspiring state park is also the site of a TON of lush, emerald-green flora, making it look like something out of a fantasy novel.

With numerous miles of wonderful trails to explore the park by, you can't go wrong with a visit to this popular Indiana state park.

The 14 trees planted here thanks to the Happy Little Trees 5K will eventually mature and turn into wonderful shade trees for folks at its campgrounds.

Awesomely, this isn't the only one - the Happy Little Trees 5K also bestowed some beautiful gifts upon another state park that's also worthy of a day trip (or longer).

Prophetstown State Park is gorgeous, with numerous lakes, woodlands, and trails to enjoy.

Funding for the trees to be planted here hasn't quite arrived yet as of the time of this writing, but one can expect to see the new arrivals at some point in 2024.

As it turns out, the Happy Little Trees 5K now has nine states involved and planting trees.

I'm a sucker for an awesome story about folks coming together to better the environment, so this project means a great deal to me.

What an honor it is for the Hoosier State to be one of the states enjoying the benefits of this program.

Maybe eventually, there will be more; we can only hope. After all, there's no such thing as too many trees.

Bob Ross would be proud.

For more information about the Happy Little Trees 5K and its generous donation to our beautiful state, check out the official Department of Natural Resources website. Planning to hike the trails in these amazing parks? Check out AllTrails Plus, which has proven itself to be incredibly handy for those of us who can't resist the trails.

Hungry for more? Check out all the best state parks in Indiana - you're bound to fall in love with the Hoosier State all over again.