Tippecanoe County

Potawatomi Trail

Potawatomi Trail sits between Ross Hills and Black Rock in Tippecanoe and Warren Counties. The tract of 59 acres brings NICHES closer to our goal of connecting Black Rock and Ross Hills into a permanently secured corridor for wildlife, plants and people to roam unhindered by development.

The Potawatomi Trail was named in memory of the forced emigration of the Potawatomi tribe from Indiana to Kansas in 1838. The tribe and their US government captors camped on the property September 13, 1838.

Over the winter of 2024–25, NICHES stewardship staff conducted a targeted canopy tree thinning at Potawatomi Trail and nearby Shawnee Bottoms. After more than a decade of careful stewardship, the preserve was identified as an appropriate site for a harvest designed to improve forest health and biodiversity.

Research shows that reducing canopy cover, whether through natural disturbance or carefully planned management, can increase biodiversity by allowing more sunlight to reach the forest floor. The timber management harvest opened portions of the canopy, shifting conditions from predominantly shady and moist to sunnier and drier. This change creates opportunities for a greater diversity of woodland plants while encouraging the growth of young oaks and hickories.

In March 2026, NICHES followed the harvest with a prescribed burn, further supporting the restoration of diverse woodland flora and reducing competition from invasive and aggressive plant species. Together, these stewardship practices are creating valuable habitat and providing the light, space, and resources needed for previously suppressed woodland wildflowers, grasses, and tree seedlings to thrive.

Over time, young oaks and hickories will grow to fill the openings created by the harvest, developing a diverse, multi-aged forest that will provide long-term ecological benefits. Continued stewardship will help guide this forest community toward greater resilience, habitat diversity, and ecological health.

Activities

Bird Watching
Fishing
Wildflowers

History of Acquisition and Property

In April of 2012, NICHES acquired Potawatomi Trail.

Prior to NICHES acquisition, the land had been enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program, permanently retiring the ag land.

After acquiring, NICHES restored the upland acreage to a mix of native species.

How to Get There

From Lafayette/West Lafayette take South River Road/Division Road west across US 231 and follow that for 8.3 miles to the Ravines Golf Course at S 875 W and take a left. Follow S 875 W past Ross Hills Park and curve right onto W 50 S. Take the next left onto 925 W and follow that past Ross Camp and curve right again onto W 75 S. Take the next left onto S 950 W and follow that for 2.2 miles until you reach the sign at the southern edge of the property and park along the upland side of the road.

From Attica/Williamsport turn onto SR 55 from SR 28/41 and cross the bridge over Big Pine Creek. Take the first right onto E Independence Road. Follow Independence Road for 9.7 miles until you reach E 350 N and turn right. Follow E 350 N for 1.5 miles and park along the upland side of the road near the property sign.

Park along the road north of the property sign at the area marked in yellow.