Portland Arch

Why You Should Visit
The scenic beauty of Portland Arch is largely due to the assemblage of natural communities of cliffs, forest, open prairies, wetlands and savannas which offer a variety of tree, plant and wildflowers species.

Location
Fountain County

Ecoregion
North Central Tillplain

Size
436 Acres

Dedicated
State Nature Preserve, 1972

Owned & Managed By
Division of Nature Preserves

How to Prepare for Your Visit
There is a trail located on the moderate to rugged terrain of the preserve.

Directions
From Attica, travel south on U.S. 41 approximately 5 miles to C.R. 650 N. Turn right (west) on C.R. 650 N and travel roughly 5 miles to Fountain. Turn left on the gravel road and then left again on the next road to the north parking lot. The south parking lot and trailhead are further down the road, past the 90-degree turn.

What to See: Plants and Animals
The abundance of cliff-dwelling plant communities, diversity of ferns and primitive non-flowering plants are stunning. Some of of the rarest species in Indiana can be found on the preserve including hay-scented fern' Forbe's saxifrage and rock selaginella. In the bottoms and ravines, stands of American beech, basdwood, sugar maple and black maple mingle with spring ephemerals like Dutchman's breeches, trout lily, blue-eyed Mary and wood nettle. On the canyon's upper edge, a mix of white pines and oaks make the canopy that shade Canada blueberry, frostweed, wild-sarsparilla, witch hazel, serviceberry, partridgeberry and wintergreen. Even more wildflowers can be admired on the open oak woodlands like shooting star, yellow lady's slipper, New Jersey tea, purple milkweed and showy goldenrod.

For More Information
Division of Nature Preserves