Indiana DNR Selling $10 Firewood Permits for Southern Indiana State Park

Winter officially begins on December 21st, but so far it has been a relatively mild end to Fall here in the southern part of Indiana with high temps hanging around the low 50s more times than not. However, we know all too well the weather can seemingly change in an instant and while we may have a near 60-degree one day, it could be the low-30s or colder the next. It's a good reminder that we need to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature brings, especially when it comes to keeping ourselves warm when the temperature drops.

Harmonie State Park in Posey County Offering Firewood for $10 per Pickup Truck Load

While the various winter outlooks can't seem to agree on whether or not we'll see snow this year, we know it will get cold at some point. It is winter, after all, and that likely means you'll be kicking on the furnace to try and not freeze to death. However, considering the cost of energy these days, you may choose to keep the thermostat just high enough to keep frost from forming on the inside of the windows. But if you have the benefit of having a fireplace or wood-burning stove in your home, it means making sure you have enough firewood on hand to burn through what may be some bitterly cold winter months.

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While you could buy firewood from a gas station, or a store like Rural King or Tractor Supply, assuming they sell it, you'll probably spend $20 to $30 on a preset stack they put together that may last you a week, maybe two depending on how often you plan on using your fireplace. Of course, you could luck out and find someone giving it away for free, but I'm guessing the likelihood of that is pretty slim. What you could do instead is head to Harmonie State Park and get a whole pickup truckload of it for just $10.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR) recently announced it's offering firewood-cutting permits to residents from now until February 29th, 2024. The permits allow you to cut up and remove certain downed trees at the park to use as your firewood. All trees available to be cut into firewood have fallen due to natural causes or purposely fallen by the park's staff for one reason or another.

The DNR says the fallen trees can be found "along roadsides or in public areas such as campsites and picnic areas," and the only time cutting and removing of wood is allowed is between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Central Time daily.

Permits cost $10 each and get you one truckload of wood. If you want more than one truckload, you'll have to acquire a permit for each load which isn't a bad deal considering how much wood you should be able to fit in the bed of your pickup truck.

All proceeds will be used for resource management and restoration efforts, including the replacement of trees in campgrounds and other public areas.

For more information on getting a firewood permit, call the Harmonie State Park office at 812-682-4821.

[Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources]