Tippecanoe County

The Howell Woods

The Howell Woods are home to some of the oldest oak, hickory, and walnut trees remaining in Tippecanoe County. Little Pine Creek flows through the woods here for 0.4 miles. The Laura Hare Oak Forest Trail offers stunning views of the enormous trees and lush understory. NICHES Mulvey Pond nature preserve is just a short distance north. Beginning at the parking lot, two out-and-back trails meander through the woods. One trail heads due West and stays south of the creek. The other trail crosses the creek on a volunteer-created, custom bridge to explore the north section of the property. Both trails evoke a sense of wonder and awe from walking amongst the elder trees.

The herbaceous flora and native shrub components had good remnant quality at acquisition and immediately improved with NICHES’s management. Indicator species of intact mesic oak woodland cover the herbaceous layer, including purple node Joe-Pye weed, false Solomon’s seal, several Carex species, common wood reed, some of the fall blooming asters, honewort, and jack-in-the-pulpit. Historic fish sampling documented the grass pickeral, redfin shiner, golden shiner, black bullhead, Green and Longear Sunfish and other fishes in this section of Little Pine Creek from nearby sampling sites (Fisher et al 1998).

Activities

Bird Watching
Fishing
Trails
Wildflowers

History of Acquisition and Property

NICHES purchased 28 acres of oak woodland in September 2024 from the Howell Family. This acquisition was supported by The Laura Hare Charitable Trust, The Whistler Foundation, The McAllister Foundation, and Joan and Philip Low.

In the winter of 2024/2025 NICHES removed 15 acres of dense honeysuckle with in-kind support from Arbor America and installed a 2-car parking lot with in-kind support from Premiere Services. Dedicated volunteers designed and installed a bridge over Little Pine Creek and re-established the trail network.

How to Get There

The Howell Woods is located 0.57 miles north of US 52 on US 231. From West Lafayette, head West on US 52. Turn right (north) on US 231. Just before crossing Little Pine Creek, turn left into the small driveway that leads to our 2-car parking lot.

Neighbors have houses on the north and south sides of The Howell Woods. Please respect their private property and do not use their driveways. If you pass the preserve, keep going North and turn left on W 500 N until you can turn around at NICHES’ Mulvey Pond parking lot (on the left/south side of W 500 N).

Number of Acres

Trail Description

Two out-and-back-trails through the north and south sections of the woods. Watch for stumps from honeysuckle removal and other woody debris from management and trail re-establishment.