Oscar and Ruth Hall Woods

 

 

Location: From US 231 south of Crawfordsville and north of Greencastle, take US 36 east through Bainbridge and a half mile further is CR 300E to the right (note that this is marked on some maps as CR675N). Take the road half a mile to the preserve, which is on the left side of the road--there is a parking area here.

Description: The Walnut Creek Valley is a wonderful area. Heavily wooded, with a high diversity of species, plus ravines and the Big Walnut Creek. The understory is thick with plants, including ferns and a variety of wildflowers. There is a single trail, including pretty recent stairways, that circles through the property. There are a couple of sandy spots down by the creek; creek is fairly shallow here, too--great place to wade. I heard lots of birds calling down by the creek, and there's a good view of somewhat open woods across the creek, so bring your binoculars. Not huge, but not crowded and very pretty. A worthwhile trip.

Nearby Points of Interest: Fern Cliff, Cataract Falls. If coming from the north, stop at the Parkersburg Spring and take a drink of the real stuff. This is a recently rebuilt roadside spring, of which there used to be a lot on the old roads of Indiana. Pay your respects.

Cautions: None.

Ownership: Indiana DNR

Map

National Forest