Bayless Dune Nature Preserve
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Cressmoor Prairie
Hobart

One of the rarest ecosystems in the state, the black-soil prairie at Cressmoor Prairie, a dedicated Indiana state nature preserve, is an extremely high-quality landscape. Walk the trail in late summer and fall and you’ll know the wonder that early settlers felt when they emerged from the great eastern forest to discover the sea of grassland that stretched from here to the foothills of the Rockies.

Grasses reach eight feet skyward, sunflowers even higher. Spikes of colorful wildflowers flourish in abundance. Monarchs pause here in the fall prior to their long flight to the mountains of Mexico.

The trail at Cressmoor Prairie has been dedicated in honor of the late Keith Board, whose legendary “botanizing” explorations resulted in the discovery and ultimately the protection of the preserve. Download a copy of his moving 1996 dedication speech here.

Preserve Size

Preserve Size 41 Acres

Preserve Open to the Public

Open to the Public

Trail Length

Trail Length 0.78 Miles

Preserve Terrain

Terrain Flat

Wildflowers

Activities Wildflowers

Butterflies

Activities Butterflies

Visit the Preserve

Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve is located on the north side of Hobart, near 37th Avenue and Lake Park Avenue.

The main parking lot is located on the west side of Lake Park Avenue. A secondary entrance is located on the west side of the preserve at W 40th Place, behind the Cressmoor Arms Apartment Complex. A loop trail traverses the property.

Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve

With Thanks

to Our Generous Acquisition and Restoration Partners

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National Park Service
Great Lakes Restoration
Indiana Heritage Trust
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Nature Preserves
State of Indiana
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The Nature Conservancy
Sustain Our Great Lakes
Save the Dunes
Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
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