Bayless Dune Nature Preserve
Bayless_2000_1000
J. Timothy Ritchie
Chesterton

Ritchie Nature Preserve is a pocket of rich, untouched floodplain in the midst of suburban development. It lies along the banks of Sand Creek, which flows into the nearby Little Calumet River, a tributary of Lake Michigan. The quiet beech and maple woodland is covered with ephemeral wildflowers in the spring, including a beautiful display of large-flowered trilliums. The preserve also provides significant habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including migrating and nesting birds.

Preserve Size

Preserve Size 42 Acres

Preserve Open to the Public

Open to the Public

Trail Length

Trail Length 0.82 Miles

Preserve Terrain

Terrain Flat, Wet

Wildflowers

Activities Wildflowers

Birding

Activities Birding

Visit the Preserve

J. Timothy Ritchie Nature Preserve is located on the northeast side of Chesterton, east of IN-49 and south of Indian Boundary Road, off of Wake Robin Drive.

Park at the end of Violet Avenue; a loop trail traverses the property.

Graphic Trail Map of Ritchie Preserve

With Thanks

to Our Generous Acquisition and Restoration Partners

Slide 1
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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