Outdoors: Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve

Wild Indiana Introduction Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve is a surprisingly large and lightly used oasis in a rapidly developing area. Traffic noise, and noise and even the smell of aviation fuel from the adjacent airport (whose days may be numbered) are all sometimes annoying. Trails There are five marked trails, most of which pass through recent woods and branch from the central Beech Hollow Trail. Your best bet is to walk the Beech Hollow Trail and explore side trails as your interests and mood direct. The Prairie Trail is a long-stemmed lollipop trail with a terminal boardwalk through wet woods. Creek Ridge Trail offers overlooks of Cheeney Creek and passes by an old cemetery. South Ridge Trail traverses some low-lying areas; skunk cabbage is present in spots. Facilities Composting toilets, shelter. Directions View Larger Map Hamilton County. From I-69 Exit 3, west 0.2 miles on 96th Street to light at Hague Road, then north 0.8 miles to entrance on the left (west). North 39 56.305 West 86 01.996 DeLorme 39:F9 Nearby Natural Areas Cool Creek Park Flowing Well Park Fort Harrison State Park References Habeck: Wild Indiana; Page 85 Nature Conservancy: Guide to Indiana Preserves; Page 222