The Nature Conservancy in Indiana - JWN

Portland Arch Facts

Location: Fountain County
Ecoregion: North Central Tillplain
Preserve Size: 436 acres
Acquisition Dates: 1966, 1975 & 1990
Dedicated: State Nature Preserve, 1972
Designated: National Natural Landmark, 1973
Owned & Managed by: Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Division of Nature Preserves

Directions

From Attica, travel south on U.S. 41 approximately 5 miles to C.R. 650 N. Turn right (west) on C.R. 650 N and travel roughly 5 miles to Fountain. Turn left on the gravel road and then left again on the next road to the north parking lot. The south parking lot and trailhead are further down the road, past the 90-degree turn. A marker is

Portland Arch Nature Preserve in Fountain County is a unique find in Indiana. Known for its sandstone gorge and natural bridge carved into the rock, Portland Arch is certainly worth the trip.

Portland Arch Nature Preserve

An impressive history of human life has taken to the area now known at Portland Arch in Fountain County. Archaic-Indians, Irish canal workers, frontiersmen, Prohibitition dancehall dancers, farmers, weekend picnickers, Boy Scouts and nature enthusiasts have gathered at this natural area one time or another.

The beauty of Portland Arch is the main draw, but many have come to utilize the natural resources of nearby Bear Creek - a small watershed entrenched into the bedrock - and to study the many species that make its home at the preserve. It is no wonder this natural area has inspired various groups to work toward the protection and restoration of this wonderful natural area.

What You'll See at Portland Arch

Portland Arch has long been recognized by botanists for the abundance of specialized cliff-dwelling plant communities found clinging to its sheer rock faces and crevices. The diversity of ferns and other primitive non-flowering plants is remarkable. Some the preserve's rarest plants are found in these narrow openings and cracks including the hay-scented fern, Forbe's saxifrage and rock selaginella.

Other unusual plants for this areas can be found at the canyon's upper edge. It is a rather harsh area with thin, acidic soils over sandstone bedrock but is home to plants that are typically found in the Northwest Indiana dunes region. These species, found under a mixed canopy of white pines and black & white oaks are Canada blueberry, frostweed, wild-sarsparilla, witch hazel, serviceberry, partridgeberry and wintergreen.

Open oak woodlands characteristic of the prairie-woodland landscape of the middle Wabash region are just beyond the canyon edge. Here lie light-loving savanna species such as the shooting star, yellow lady's slipper, New Jersey tea, American hazelnut, purple milkweed and showy goldenrod. Flowering dogwoods can also be found offering late-season fruit for fall migrant birds. A colony of Red-headed woodpeckers makes Portland Arch its permanent home, where it thrives while it is typically a species in decline in most of its former range.

Head to the bottoms and ravines of the canyon and you will find a typical mesic forest of American beech, basswood, sugar maple and black walnut. It's lush canopy hangs above a beautiful display of ephemeral wildflowers in the warm spring months. These species include Dutchman's breeches, trout lily, blue-eyed Mary, wood poppy and stingy greens of the wood nettle.

Portland Arch Nature Preserve is a pleasant surprise found in the midst of surrounding plains and cornfields. Any season is perfect for a visit whether it be spring to catch the wildflowers or to see the amazing ice formation common during the winter months.