Portland Arch

 

 

 

Location: Go south from Attica on Hwy. 41 to County Road 650N, turn right and go to the town of fountain. The road to Portland Arch is a left turn and then another left and up a hill, right on the outskirts of the town. One parking lot is at the top of the hill, and another one lies further down the road. Each parking lot has its own unique trail.

Description: Portland Arch, a former Boy Scout Camp, is named for a "natural bridge" formation on the loop trail at the first parking lot. The trail descends, steeply at times, to Bear Creek, then follows the creek and the sandstone cliffs of the hollow under the natural bridge. The path continues along the floor of the valley and then back up the cliffs again to complete the loop. Bear Creek itself is a nice wading around creek, and there are a number of rare plants that grow here. Spring wildflowers are great here, and it’s also a nice cool spot in the summertime. The whole parcel is forest.

Nearby Points of Interest: Fall Creek Gorge is north of Attica. Don’t forget Wolf’s Candies, just into Attica on 41.

Cautions: Stay on the trail (except to go wading in the stream); the cliffs are tricky. Be careful of the flowers, many are rare.

Ownership: Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources

Map

 
National Forest