Why You Should Visit
This preserve includes a three-mile trail loop, from which—on a still day—a hiker can hear the Little River from the valley below. Indian Spring, which gives the preserve its name, is hidden by a stone structure, but a spring bubbles in the sand just downstream.

Location
Scotland

Hours
Dawn to dusk

Size
450 acres

Conditions
The three-mile loop trail has options for shorter hikes leading through mature oak forest, open fields, and along the clear-flowing Little River. Trails lead past glacial kettle ponds to an impressive overlook of the Little River Valley.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please visit our “Preserve Visitation Guidelines” page

Directions
From the west:

• Take Route 66 east to Route 6 in Columbia.
• Continue straight, onto Route 6 east for 13.6 miles.
• At the junction of Route 6 and Route 97 in Hampton, turn right (south) onto Route 97.
• Continue south on Route 97 for 3.4 miles
• Preserve and small parking area are on the left.

From the south:

• Take I-95 to I-395
• On I-395, take exit 83 for Route 97.
• Proceed north on Route 97, in Scotland, take a right on Route14 (Palmer Road) for 0.5 mile, then take a left back onto Route 97 for 1.4 miles.
• After passing James V. Spignesi Jr. Wildlife Management Area, Rock Spring preserve and parking area are on the right.

What to See: Plants
A variety of oak, hickory, red and sugar maple, red cedar, poplar, gray birch, little bluestem and clubmosses, as well as numerous other species, can be seen here.

What to See: Animals
Look for hawks overhead and beaver activity along the banks of Little River.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
David and Vanda Shoemaker donated land for this preserve, which was later augmented by a purchase from a neighbor.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The chapter monitors this site on a regular basis.