Kokiwanee Nature Preserve
Natural Areas: Kokiwanee Nature Preserve
State Designated Nature Preserve [#261; 2014]
Fern Lake. Click to enlarge
Kokiwanee is a former Girl Scout Camp that lies along the Salamonie River, just downstream of Salamonie Lake. It’s now a large ACRES Land Trust preserve (about 140 acres) that boasts an extensive and complex trail network. My attempt to sketch that network appears on the opposite page. Three small streams flow from the preserve into the Salamonie River; each tumbles over a waterfall along the way. Of the three, Kissing Falls is by far the largest and most reliable; access to Kissing Falls is very convenient via the tailwater entrance, described below. The other falls are decidedly less impressive, can be a challenge to view, and may slow to a trickle in the drier months.
Fawn Lake (pictured above) lies in the east-central part of the preserve and is exceptionally pretty. Most of the trails are through wooded areas. Expect to see shagbark hickory, beech trees, and sycamores, the latter especially along the Salamonie River floodplain. The trails closest to the river can be good for spring wildflowers. Trout lily, toadshade, Dutchman’s breeches, pepper-and-salt, hepatica, and other species grace the floodplain and adjacent slopes.
Trail Map
Click to enlarge
Directions
Wabash County. From Lagro, south on IN 524. As IN 524 veers right, go straight on Hanging Rock Rd. Turn right on 500 East after 1.2 miles, then left on Division Rd after another ¼ mile. Continue east on Division for a mile, then right on Stone Rd.
From Here…
…To Reach the North Entrance:
After driving 0.5 mile on Stone Rd, turn right on 50 South and go 0.2 mile to the small lot on the left.
GPS: N 40 49.167 W 85 40.979
…To Reach the Tailwater Entrance
After driving 1.1 miles on Stone Road, turn right into the Tailwater parking area.
GPS: N 40 48.726 W 85 41.002
Facilities
None
Finder Sketch
Click to enlarge
Nearby Natural Areas (miles)
Hanging Rock Nature Preserve (2.1)
Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run (5.9)
Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area (7.7)
Tel-Hy Nature Preserve (10.9)
Pehkokia Woods (12.9)