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Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve

  • Accessibility & Access for All
  • Arts & Culture
  • Arts and Culture
  • Beach Access
  • Bike Share Dock
  • Biking
  • Biodiversity
  • Birdwatching
  • Boat Rentals Available
  • Boating
  • Bus Parking
  • Calumet Heritage Area
  • Camping
  • Canoe or Kayak Rentals Available
  • Canoeing
  • Children's programs
  • Climbing
  • Community Science
  • Concessions
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Education
  • Education Center
  • Equipment Rentals
  • Family-Friendly
  • Field Trips
  • Fishing
  • Free Admission
  • Free Parking
  • Free Programs
  • Habitat Restoration
  • Hiking
  • Historical Connectiom
  • Historical Connection
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking
  • Native Plants
  • Nature Center
  • Parking
  • Paved Trails
  • Pet-Friendly
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Picnicking
  • Playground
  • Prairie
  • Public Transit Access
  • Restrooms
  • Running
  • Scenic View
  • Scenic Views
  • Snowshoeing
  • Swimming
  • Teacher Resources
  • Tours
  • Trail Running
  • Walking
  • Wetlands
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Show More

Overview

One of the rarest ecosystems in the state, the black-soil prairie at Cressmoor Prairie, a dedicated Indiana state nature preserve, is an extremely high-quality landscape. Walk the trail in late summer and fall and you’ll know the wonder that early settlers felt when they emerged from the great eastern forest to discover the sea of grassland that stretched from here to the foothills of the Rockies.Grasses reach eight feet skyward, sunflowers even higher. Spikes of colorful wildflowers flourish in abundance. Monarchs pause here in the fall prior to their long flight to the mountains of Mexico.


The main parking lot is located on the west side of Lake Park Avenue. A secondary entrance is located on the west side of the preserve at W 40th Place, behind the Cressmoor Arms Apartment Complex. A loop trail traverses the property.


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