The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit 

Mossy Point is an ecologically-varied landscape characterized by high-and-dry ridges, deep ravines covered by lush canopy and views of beautiful Sugar Creek. Measuring nearly a mile, the extensive Sugar Creek frontage provides excellent habitat along the riparian corridor for edge-sensitive forest interior species as the site is completely wooded with an unbroken forest canopy. By some accounts, this area is the most ecological varied land between the Wabash River and Turkey Run.

Location

Parke County

Ecoregion

North Central Tillplain

Size

191 Acres

Dedicated

State Nature Preserve, 2005

Owned & Managed By

Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc.

Partners 

Indiana Heritage Trust, Sycamore Trails Resources Conservation and Development Council, & The Lilly Co. Employee Fund

What The Nature Conservancy is Doing/has Done 

The Nature Conservancy along with a coalition of organizations worked hard to protect the land from 1976 through 2004. Around 2005, The Nature Conservancy acquired additional tracts of land and transferred the land to the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR continues stewardship work that will increase the ecological diversity of the preserve.

Things To Do

What to See: Plants and Animals

Completed wooded with an unbroken forest canopy of mixed ravine species including American beech, white ash, sugar maple, tulip tree and red oak. Soft maples, black walnut and green ash can be seen on the floodplain forest. White oak and sagbark hickory on the high and mature stands of eastern hemlock shade unusual plant species like partridgeberry, witch hazel and ginseng.

Several vulnerable species of breeding birds can be seen at Mossy Point. Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Kentucky Warbler all make their home here. The Bald Eagle can be found roosting along the creek while Spotted Sandpipers may be been tail-bobbing their way down over the flats.

Plan Your Visit

The moderate to rugged terrain and lack of established trails will make for an adventuresome hike but the sights will make the work all worth it. 

For More Information 

Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc.

Directions

From Turkey Run State Park, travel south on U.S. 41 to C.R. 625 N and turn right (west). After traveling through Annapolis, continue 1.7 miles on Annapolis Road (gravel) to the sharp left turn (south). Immediately after the turn, make a right at the first driveway on the west side of the road. Continue traveling through the gate, past a small house and to the parking lot roughly 150 feet ahead.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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