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Allegheny Woodrat © Aaron Holbrook

The allegheny woodrat, the rarest of Indiana's mammals, is found in these glades.

In the process of working to identify and conserve habitat for rare species in the Blue River basin, many other natural treasures have been discovered. Though not in the Blue River basin, another area of concentration for the local office is the Harrison County Glades, where the Blue River office is located (see map). 

Glades are natural openings in the forest that are marked by prairie-like plants. Plants such as pale purple coneflower, shooting star, blazing star and little bluestem thrive in the harsh conditions of glades. A hike in May or June are the best times to catch the glades in all their crowning glory.

The small grasslands not only harbor beautiful plants and flowers, but a collection of associated insects, butterflies and reptiles. The rare Hooded Warbler, rough green snake and eastern spadefoot toad make their home in these small openings surrounded by oaks and cedars.

Home of the Rarest Mammal in Indiana

Insects and reptiles aren't the only species found in the glades. Outcroppings along the bluffs of the Ohio River play host to another species we are working to conserve in the Interior Low Plateau, the Allegheny woodrat. The rarest of all mammals in Indiana, was given a much needed boost in 2007 with the help of The Nature Conservancy, Purdue University and the Indiana Fish & Wildlife Service. The woodrat has been bordering on the brink of extinction with populations declining dramatically over the past decade. In order to help these animals, the Conservancy and partners released 54 Allegheny woodrats in hopes to increase genetic diversity of the population and to learn more answers to the cause of its decline. Tracking has shown that 75% are still alive and healthy. 

Getting to Harrison County Glades

The Harrison County Glades is a collection of tracts - Buena Vista Glade, Teeple Glade and Mosquito Creek Preserve (+ Klinstiver Glade). Each tract differs from another, but are all make incredible hikes regardless of the time of year.

Directions to Teeple Glade: From New Albanyl travel west on I-64 to the Georgetown exit. Turn left (south) on S.R. 62 and continue to S.R. 11; turning left (south). After traveling through Elizabeth, S.R. 11 turns at a 90-degree angle and intersects with Rosewood Road. Turn South on Rosewood to Rabbit Hash Road and turn right (south) to Keen Hill Road. Turn left (southeast) and travel a quarter mile to the preserve. Parking area is on the right side and a trail does exist on the preserve. While in the neighborhood, check out the Rabbit Hash Trail - a 2.0 mile one-way interpretive trail nestled in the heart of the Harrison County Glades.

Directions to Mosquito Creek: From Corydon, travel south on S.R. 337 approx. 10 miles and turn right (west) on S.R. 11. Continue traveling roughly 3.5 miles to Laconia. Turn left on East Laconia Road at the 4-way stop. Travel 2 miles to the "T" intersection and turn right on Kintner Bottom Road. Proceed a half mile and turn left (east) on Mosquito Creek Road. Continue until you cross the brdige above the creek and park along the road. There is no trail on this preserve at this time.