Moraine Nature Preserve

Rate this place

Parks

Indiana

Nearby: 200 East Park Glenrose Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Located in Hamilton County, Indiana, the Moraine Nature Preserve is a beautiful natural area that offers visitors a chance to explore and appreciate the outdoors.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

There are several great reasons to visit the preserve, such as the various trails, picnic areas, and educational exhibits that educate visitors on the local flora and fauna. The preserve is also home to several points of interest, including a historic homestead, a pioneer cemetery, and a restored prairie.

One of the most interesting facts about the Moraine Nature Preserve is that it was once a working farm, and the renovated barn on the property is a testament to its agricultural past. The preserve is also home to several rare species of plants and animals, such as the endangered Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake and the Indiana bat.

The best time of year to visit the Moraine Nature Preserve is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the trees and flowers are in bloom. Visitors can enjoy hiking, bird watching, and picnicking during these times and can take advantage of the many educational programs and events that are offered throughout the year.

Overall, the Moraine Nature Preserve is a peaceful and scenic destination that offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature and learn about the local history and ecology.

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

Related References