Summit Lake State Park, near New Castle in east-central Indiana, was established in 1988 as Indiana’s nineteenth state park. Encompassing 2,680 acres around an 800-acre lake, it includes woodlands, old fields, wetlands, prairie restoration areas, and Zeigler Woods Nature Preserve, the only dedicated nature preserve in Henry County. These varied habitats support more than 100 bird species and have made the park a popular destination for bird-watching, photography, and hiking. Boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, beach swimming, and naturalist programs also draw about 235,000 visitors annually. In 2024, the park lay in the path of totality for the solar eclipse and experienced 3 minutes and 59 seconds of totality.