Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve 2.0 (reviews)

Wesselman Woods is an Indiana State Nature Preserve and National Natural Landmark featuring nearly 200 acres of virgin bottomland hardwood forest. This plot of land is the largest tract of virgin, old-growth forest within any city limits in the United States.

We have over 4 miles of trails for you to trek through the forest and a 5-acre nature-based play area called the Welborn Baptist Foundation Nature Playscape and Bernhardt Family Bird Sanctuary.

This old-growth lowland forest is of exceptionally high quality. The mean density of trees at Newburgh Trail in Wesselman Woods is high (125 trees per acre) and the canopy starts far above the forest floor. There are many trees reaching 100 feet tall and some are known to be over 320 years old.

The basal area of 187 square feet per acre is the highest known for any woods in Indiana. Despite the moderate variation in elevation within the forest (only 20 feet) there is a wide diversity of tree, shrub, and wildflower species.

The mission of Wesselman Nature Society is to preserve and protect Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands for future generations through conservation, education, research, and to provide equal access to nature.