Menu
  • Home  /  
  • Explore

EXPLORE OUR PRESERVES

Sycamore invites you to visit 13 of our nature preserves, where we maintain trails for free public use so that everyone can connect to nature. Sycamore owns and cares for 50 nature preserves in total, which we manage through active restoration projects such as planting trees and removing invasive species, so native ecosystems can thrive.

TRAIL CONDITIONS UPDATE: In late winter and early spring, trails are really wet and muddy at all of our preserves. On warm or sunny days, it would be best for hikers to avoid walking on trails until they dry up or freeze solid again, to prevent damage to sensitive natural areas. Thank you for helping us be good land stewards..

COVID-19 UPDATE: Due to the pandemic, all natural areas including Sycamore's are experiencing increased visitation. Please practice safe social distancing and be flexible; if a parking lot is full when you arrive, the preserve has reached its capacity and you will need to come back another time.

Donate to protect forests Free Nature Preserve Guide

VISITATION RULES AND TIPS

  • Park only in designated parking areas. Parking is limited, which protects nature and prevents overcrowding. If there is no room to park at the trailhead, please return to visit the preserve on another day.

  • Open hours: dawn to dusk unless noted otherwise.

  • Hunting is not allowed at our public preserves, except for limited hunting at Columbia Mine Preserve with a permit.
    Hunting by special permission occurs at certain other preserves. Requests for permission to hunt are not being accepted at this time.

  • No camping, fires, off-road vehicles, bikes, or horses are allowed.

  • Always stay on the trails and do not disturb plants, animals, minerals, or historic artifacts.

  • Dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times for the safety of wildlife, plants, your dog, and other people.

  • There are no restrooms, drinking fountains, or trash receptacles. Plan to take home any trash, including dog waste.

  • Be prepared for mosquitos as well as ticks, chiggers, and poison ivy, which can all be found along trails.

LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA’S NATURAL HISTORY

Learn More

HOW WE PROTECT LAND

Sycamore Land Trust protects land by owning nature preserves and by holding permanent conservation easements on privately owned land. Sycamore now protects over 115 properties totaling 10,126 acres — all made possible by the generous support of our donors and volunteers.

What it means to protect land - Nature is vivacious. Give the plants, animals, bugs, fungi, and waterways a chance to survive, and they’ll thrive. But when 85% of Indiana’s original forests have been destroyed, when species are put at risk of extinction, and when ponds and creeks fill with contaminants and face erosion, nature needs our help.

Land stewardship involves many conservation techniques: planting native species like milkweeds for monarch butterflies, monitoring threatened and endangered species like the Indiana bat, planting trees to control erosion, cleaning up trash and debris, building trails for proper visitation and use, removing invasive species that crowd out native plants, strategic land acquisitions to build onto large wildlife corridors, and more.

GIVE THE PLANTS, animals, BUGS, fungi, AND WATERWAYS A CHANCE TO SURVIVE, AND THEY’LL THRIVE.

These activities help us achieve cleaner water, safe habitats, diverse ecosystems, and meaningful ways for people to connect with nature. We can do more with your help — volunteer, donate funds, and spread the word.

PROTECT YOUR LAND DONATE TO HELP RESTORE LAND

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sycamore has temporarily suspended events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our outdoors events are free for Sycamore members and a $5 donation is suggested for non-members ($10 per family). Volunteer workdays are always free. Become a member and help us connect people to nature through meaningful experiences and events.

VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The work we accomplish would not be possible without our amazing team of volunteers. To learn more, read about the opportunities or contact us at info@sycamorelandtrust.org.

VIEW OPPORTUNITIES