VISITOR INFO

Wesselman Nature Society manages Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve as well as Howell Wetlands, on Evansville’s west side.

WESSELMAN WOODS

The Nature Center at Wesselman Woods

This plot of land is the largest tract of virgin, old-growth forest within any city limits in the United States. As an Indiana Nature Preserve and National Natural Landmark, Wesselman Woods is a surviving remnant of Southern Indiana’s original forests.

Read more about our Vision, Mission, and Values on our About page.

HOURS of Operation

Normal Hours

Tuesday through Saturday
9 AM - 5 PM

Trail access is free from 7:30-9 AM on Tuesday through Friday.

Sunday
12 - 5 PM

CLOSED on Mondays

Wesselman Woods closes at 4 PM during winter season (November-March)

Wesselman Woods is a proud member of the Association of Nature Centers Administrators (ANCA) Reciprocal Program.

Wesselman Woods is a proud member of the Association of Nature Centers Administrators (ANCA) Reciprocal Program.

Adults - $5

Children (ages 3 – 12 years old) - $3

Children under 3 years old are free.

Always free for members!

Member of a nature center in your town? As a part of the Association of Nature Centers Administrators (ANCA) Reciprocal Program, Wesselman Woods offers free admission and merchandise discounts to fellow ANCA organizations. See if your nature center is a member of ANCA and visit us during your stay in Evansville!

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is located at 551 North Boeke Road in Evansville, Indiana.

Enter Wesselman Park and stay to the right. Once you reach the woods, the road takes a sharp left. After a quarter of a mile, the entrance is on the right.

Most of the trails are surfaced with mulch or wooden boardwalks. The trails traverse uneven terrain and may be muddy or soggy, especially after rain. Strollers with large wheels usually do fine but wheelchairs may encounter problems.

One of the largest urban wetlands in Indiana, this unique ecosystem is an appealing year-round location for education and enjoyment. Howell Wetlands is one of only five urban wetlands parks in Indiana. The Wetlands features 35 acres of marshland, bald cypress slough, oxbow lake, lowland hardwood forest and upland meadow as well as the wildlife found in these habitats such as muskrats, beavers, herons, wood ducks, geese and deer. You’re invited to explore the more than 2 miles of hiking trails, wooden walkways, and bridges or join us during one of our staff-led programs or tours.