Pine Hills Nature Preserve

Why You Should Visit 
Indiana's first dedicated nature preserve, Pine Hills is a remarkable example of the natural beauty our state has to offer. Hogback ridges with steep dropoffs, craggy hills, deep gorges and extensive sandstone bluffs are covered with stands of evergreens and hardwood trees.

Location
Montgomery County

Ecoregion
North Central Tillplain

Size
599 Acres

Dedicated
State Nature Preserve, 1969 

Designated
National Natural Landmark, 1968 

Owned & Managed By
Division of State Parks and Reserviors 

How to Prepare for Your Visit
The easy to moderate terrain and existing trails at the preserve will make for an exciting hike around the preserves. It can be easy to get lost in these woods with its switchbacks and box canyons so take care. For more hiking opportunities in the area, visit the adjacent Shades State Park.

Directions
From Shades State Park, proceed east on C.R. 800 S and turn left on S.R. 234 W. Continue traveling north (the road doglegs to the north) to a marked lot on the left (west) side of the road roughly 0.25 mile past the Shades State Park entrance.

What to See: Plants and Animals
Groves of northern relict hemlock, white pine, Canada yews, old-growth oak, hickory forests and virgin beech/maple woods make Pine Hills one of Indiana's finest woodlands. Five miles of clear streams flow past overhanging cliffs and treacherous rock slides, so please step with care, especially around the several steep backbones - like the Devil's Backbone, Turkey Backbone and Mill Cut Backbone - which have dropoffs of 70 -125 feet. The variety of terrain provides habitat for various species of wildflowers, ferns and other rare plants.

For More Information  
Division of State Parks and Reservoirs