Hikes & Field Trips

Interested in seeing the “original” Indiana?  An INPAWS hike is a great opportunity to join others in the great outdoors to observe and learn about our state’s fascinating plants—animals too!—and their habitats. You’ll get to know our native plants up close and personal, guided by experts who can show you where to look and help you understand what you’re seeing.

Venturing through a wet meadow at Swamp Angel

Except as noted, INPAWS hikes are open to the public and do not require registration. When we venture into more delicate or restricted environments, the numbers of participants may be limited via registration.

Details will be posted here and on the Events Calendar closer to the date of each trip.

What to Expect

Hikes are typically offered from April to October at various locations in the state. Most sites visited are natural areas, ranging in conditions from level to rugged, wet to dry, full sun to shade. Many are high quality and designated as state nature preserves. 

Each trip has one or more hike leaders eager to share their knowledge along the way. Typically these are people who manage the properties, who work for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Nature Preserves, or who teach at local universities. It’s not uncommon for at least a few fellow hikers to be plant experts in their own right!

You can expect to have a great experience on the hike, but be aware that you may encounter a variety of weather conditions and field hazards, such as mosquitoes, poison ivy, and ticks. Proper preparation and a sense of adventure normally overcome any of these discomforts.  

So put on the boots, pack your camera and rain gear, apply your favorite bug repellent, and join us as we take delight in Indiana’s natural treasures.  

Identifying rare sedges at Prophetstown fen

 

2012 Hikes (Dates TBD)

Spring wildflowers of Fort Harrison State Park (Marion County), led by Perry Scott

Forest wildflowers of Kokiwanee Preserve (Wabash County), led by David Hicks

Sandstone cliff plants of Hemlock Cliffs (Crawford County), led by Kirk Larson

Dune plants of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (Porter County), led by Noel Pavlovic

Fungi of Shades State Park (Montgomery County), led by Andy Methven

Shrubs of West Central Indiana natural area (Location TBA), led by Sally Weeks

Self-Guided Mini-Hikes

Many Indiana communities include parks and parcels of natural land where native plants can be seen without traveling far afield. We welcome your reports about such places for our Mini-Hikes Series in INPAWS Journal.

Getting down with mosses and lichens at Plaster Creek Seeps