Portland Arch Nature Preserve: A Great Day Hike from Lafayette
Almost every Hoosier I’ve talked to is familiar with Turkey Run State Park, and for good reason! Its beautiful trails and hills make it a breathtaking exception to the rule of corn and soybean fields. Speaking as a mom, though, Turkey Run can feel a teensy bit overwhelming. It’s hard to find the exact trail you want, and some of the trails are very arduous and overwhelming for small children.
So when a friend rekindled my memory of Portland Arch, somewhere I read about years ago and then forgot, we made a point of going there for a family hike a few days ago. Readers, it did not disappoint. It’s such a gem! Here are some of the things we loved about it:
its beauty, first and foremost. The North Trail has the park’s name sake, a gorgeous sandstone arch/bridge. The trail leads you under the natural formation and along Bear Creek, with meadow flowers and stone cliffs along the side. When we were there, the air was fragrant with the pines growing on the cliff edges. I saw wildflowers growing I’ve not seen yet in fifteen years of Indiana living (Blue Eyed Mary, anyone?)
the ease of the trail for small children. We carried our toddler in her carrier for parts of the trail that were a bit more moderate in scope, but all of my older children managed it with ease, including the four-year-old. Some caution and parental oversight should still be exercised, of course, as there are some narrow bits with fairly steep drop-offs… as someone who has hiked Smoky Mountain Trails with preschoolers, though, this place felt fairy relaxed!
the fact that admission is free! (TBH: if this changes to a carload fee to help maintain the park, I will be signing right up!)
My children loved climbing around the old dam structure and skipping rocks in the creek.
Pets are permitted at the park if kept on a leash!
Things To Note Before Going:
There is no public restroom, so either have children go before leaving home or bring a little porta-potty in the car.
Picnicking is not permitted on the grounds. We went in between lunch and supper, spent two hours exploring the trail (we go at a leisurely pace, lol) and then returned home for supper. A mid-morning visit with a planned car-picnic on the way home also sounds like a good plan.
It’s approximately 45 minutes from Lafayette ~ there are good directions here, and I really wish I’d taken the time print out this brochure before our visit (although I am sure we will be going again!).