Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest

Near Paoli, Indiana

Old-growth forest landscape at Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest

A Window into Indiana’s Past

Imagine walking through Indiana 100 years ago. Instead of cornfields and hillsides of younger trees, the state contained about 19 million acres of old-growth forest. Walnut trees 40 inches in diameter and 130 feet tall were common, and ancient oaks that had stood since before Columbus arrived in America were abundant.

Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest offers a chance to step into that earlier landscape. This 88-acre area, just south of Paoli, was formerly known as Cox Woods and is the last old-growth forest of its size known in Indiana. The tract has remained virtually undisturbed since before Joseph Cox purchased it in 1816.

The forest offers a short, easy 0.8-mile hiking trail through old-growth woods. The enormous and beautiful trees make it well worth the trip.

  • Forest size 88 acres
  • Trail length 0.8 mile
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Setting Old-growth upland forest
Research Natural Area: Hunting, camping, target shooting, and plant collecting are not allowed. Horses and bicycles are also prohibited in this area.
For more information
National Forest Office
811 Constitution Ave.
Bedford, IN 47421-9599
(812) 275-5987

Natural Environment

  • Annual precipitation About 45 inches (114.3 cm) annually; average annual snowfall is 17 inches (43.18 cm).
  • Temperatures Average summer temperature is 73°F, with an average daily maximum of 86°F and a record high of 107°F. Average winter temperature is 32°F, with an average daily minimum of 21°F and a record low of −27°F.
  • Elevation Ranges from 650 to 830 feet (212.5 to 271.4 m).
  • Geology and soils The Research Natural Area lies in the heart of southern Indiana karst topography. Its hilly, rugged terrain includes several sinkholes. Soils are residual, unglaciated loam and silt loam derived from weathered sandstone over limestone; lower areas include soils derived from weathered limestone and eroded sandstone colluvium.
  • Aquatic features Lick Creek, an intermittent creek, forms the northern boundary of the Research Natural Area.

Location

Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest, south of Paoli, Indiana

Trails and More Information

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