Gibson Woods Nature Preserve

Gibson Woods Nature Preserve Closed Mondays and Holidays
Rules: stay on designated trails
leave pets at home
wildlife stays here a Lake County Park.

Tucked away in the heart of the industrial region of northwest Indiana is an island of nature with some very unusual features. This 131-acre parcel of virtually "undisturbed" land is known as Gibson Woods Nature Preserve . . . The dune and swale features of the preserve were produced after the last glacier created ancient Lake Chicago, the forerunner of Lake Michigan. The parallel sand ridges stil

l found in Gibson Woods today represent the effect of Lake Chicago as it retreated thousands of years ago.

We know some of you may not want to see trees, but if you need a nature recharge or reset, our building will be open ext...
08/18/2026

We know some of you may not want to see trees, but if you need a nature recharge or reset, our building will be open extra days this week.

Fall Bird Migration Hikes start tomorrow Wed 8/19 at 9:30AM. Bring bug spray, as we are holding lots of the rain water w...
08/18/2026

Fall Bird Migration Hikes start tomorrow Wed 8/19 at 9:30AM. Bring bug spray, as we are holding lots of the rain water we've had the last few months and the mosquitoes are plentiful. These swallows and their Chimney Swift friends are trying to help out.

We hope everyone is safe. The nature center & trails are closed due to storm damage as of 8/12. We will reopen trails as...
08/11/2026

We hope everyone is safe. The nature center & trails are closed due to storm damage as of 8/12. We will reopen trails as we’re able to clear them.

08/11/2026
08/08/2026

Any guesses what this chunky caterpillar turns into?

Just some of the wildlife hanging around here
08/07/2026

Just some of the wildlife hanging around here

07/25/2026

Breakfast at the preserve 7/25/26

Even in the heat, nature always has a way to amaze.This was spotted on our last butterfly hike on 7/14. It is called an ...
07/16/2026

Even in the heat, nature always has a way to amaze.
This was spotted on our last butterfly hike on 7/14.
It is called an Eastern Tailed Blue, only a little bigger that a quarter, but check out its eyesđź‘€
It is related to the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly, which unfortunately is no longer found in Indiana.
Check out lakecountyparks.com to see the schedule of our nature programs and come be amazed by the natural world all around you.

Address

6201 Parrish Avenue
Hammond, IN
46323

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12198443188

Website

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