Ellettsville lies in the western foothills of the Hoosier National Forest in the heart of Indiana. The Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve and the Sycamore Land Trust lie in this tranquil, wooded area. This 156-acre preserve features trails, streams, and 13.5 acres of wetlands, offering a breathtaking landscape of rural Indiana. Learn more here.
Despite the close proximity of Ellettsville to Bloomington, the preserve remains a hidden gem to even the area’s residents. The preserve and the Sycamore Land Trust were established in 1976 when local citizens and landowners joined forces to conserve the land. By working together, they could ensure that the land was free from development, and so Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve was born, and the Sycamore Land Trust formed, both with the same goal in mind: to protect and preserve the land and its surrounding areas. The landscape of Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve is diverse, with diverse species of plants, birds, and animals. Visitors to the preserve will find lush forests and grassy meadows brimming with wildlife, including deer, turkey, songbirds, and salamanders. Over fifteen species of trees, such as Sycamore, shagbark hickory, red and white oak, and black walnut, thrive in the forest. In the spring, the grassy meadows come alive with many wildflowers, while the wetlands and streams provide a home to turtles, muskrats, and beavers. In addition, the preserve boasts two small ponds that provide habitats for frogs and other aquatic creatures. Learn more about Lower Cascades Park in Bloomington, Indiana.