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Trail runs through springtime plants in green forest.
Time to explore Green's Bluff is just one of TNC's preserves awaiting you. © Matt Williams

Stories in Indiana

Connect with nature!

Feed your soul at a TNC preserve.

British psychologist and writer Ralph Smart is credited with saying, “There is no wi-fi
in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection.”

While you may be without the internet in the woods, you have the sights and sounds of nature to amaze and inspire you.

Free and open to the public, TNC’s off-the-beaten-path preserves—which range from
forests to glades to prairie—offer a peaceful escape for Hoosiers to relax and recharge.

At our preserves, you can enjoy activities such as birdwatching, hiking, photography
and nature study. What you experience can impact your mood, changing it from depressed, stressed and anxious to more calm and balanced. In our age of constant distraction, a hike up the sandstone cliffs at Green’s Bluff Nature Preserve or a walk through the restored Kankakee Sands prairie can help calm your mind. 

Our TNC stewards and volunteers maintain and improve the land at our preserves, so that nature can flourish and Hoosiers can be moved and inspired. TNC envisions a world where people and nature thrive together. You are invited to visit one of our flagship preserves to take in a bit of the nurturing that nature has to offer you.

Whether you call it forest bathing, ecotherapy or green time, your mind and body benefit from a journey to nature. With TNC’s preserves located throughout the state, you’re never too far from a healthy dose.

Start planning your nature fix!

Places in Indiana to Explore

  • Creek runs through lush green forest.

    Central West: Big Walnut

    Just an hour west of Indianapolis, Big Walnut - and particularly the Tall Timbers Trail - makes for a memorable visit. Learn more about Big Walnut

  • Creek runs through lush green forest.

    Southwest Central: Green's Bluff

    A new trail, new pollinator plantings and new interpretive signage await you at scenic Green's Bluff. Learn more about Green's Bluff

  • Preserve sign in colorful forest in autumn.

    South Central: Hitz-Rhodehamel Woods

    Brown County is THE autumn destination in Indiana, but TNC's Hitz-Rhodehamel Woods will delight you any time of year. Learn more about Hitz-Rhodehamel Woods

  • Mother bison and calf roam a green prairie.

    Northwest: Kankakee Sands

    With several nature trails and our ever-growing bison herd, Kankakee Sands is a must-see destination! Learn more about Kankakee Sands

  • Tall pale purple-flowered plants on a green slope.

    South: Harrison County Glades

    The glades of Harrison County are amazing pockets of nature, and glades in early summer are magical! Learn more about the Harrison County Glades

  • Several kids running down a corridor lined by tall trees.

    East: Children of Indiana Nature Park

    We're taking kids to an amazing new place. It's called outside. Learn more about the Children of Indiana Nature Park

  • Family and 2 dogs on a trail looks into forest.

    East: Cope Environmental Center

    Cope's miles of hiking trails meandering through hardwood forests, grasslands, prairies, wetlands, and two ponds means year-round beauty. Learn more about Cope

  • Three orange butterflies on white-flowered bush next to pond.

    Northwest: Grand Calumet River Conservation Area

    This isn't just one spot, but several cool restored sites along the Grand Calumet River. Learn more about the Grand Calumet River preserves

  • A small child in a pink blouse holds a green leaf in front of her face.

    Getting Kids in Nature

    Wanna get your kids into the great outdoors, but not sure how? Check out our new guide on best practices for connecting kids to nature. Download Now

To help make your visit safe and comfortable, please consult the Conservancy’s Preserve Visitation Guidelines.