Hoosier Prairie

Why You Should Visit
The Hoosier Prairie, one of the last remaining grasslands in the Midwest, hosts a surprising and stunning array of prairie plants and great ecological diversity amidst the industry of Northwest Indiana.

Location
Lake County

Ecoregion
Great Lakes

Size
1,547 Acres

Dedicated
State Nature Preserve, 1977

Designated
National Natural Landmark, 1977

Owned & Managed By
Division of Nature Preserves & U.S. National Park Service

Partners
DNR-Lake Michigan Coastal Program, Indiana Heritage Trust, North America Wetland Conservation Act

How to Prepare for Your Visit
The easy terrain and developed trails make for a pleasant hike through the preserve.

Directions
From North U.S. 41, turn right (east) on Main Street toward Griffith. The parking lot is on the right side of the road after crossing Kennedy Avenue.

What to See: Plants and Animals
Rare habitats such as the dry black oak barrens, wetland pools, and moist prairies are conserved at the Hoosier Prairie as well as over 350 native plants, 43 species being uncommon or rarely seen in Indiana. Plants like the white wild indigo, prairie parsley, Indian paintbrush and rose pogonia can be spotted among the tall Indian grass. Red-headed woodpeckers, Sedge wrens and eyed brown butterflies can also be observed along the prairie and savanna with unusual reptiles and amphibians supported by the wet prairie "potholes".

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

For More Information
DNR's Hoosier Prairie Preserve