Portland Arch Nature Preserve, Natural arch and sandstone cliffs in Fountain County, Indiana.
Portland Arch Nature Preserve is a protected area featuring sandstone cliffs and deep ravines along Bear Creek. The forest spreads across hundreds of acres with trails and multiple areas to explore on foot.
The land served as a Boy Scout Camp until 1966, when The Nature Conservancy took over. State protection followed in 1972, securing the landscape for the long term.
The rock formations sheltered Native American communities and settlers throughout the region. Visitors can see how the landscape shaped where people chose to live and gather.
Two one-mile trails guide visitors through the area and are easy to access. Parking areas along Scout Camp Road provide entry points to both the north and south sections.
The natural sandstone bridge formed through water erosion over millions of years and stands as one of Indiana's few natural arches. The rock layers date back to an ancient sea that once covered this region.
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