Indiana's nature preserve park system, a collaboration of multi agencies, has gathered up a collection of over 160 unique sites statewide. Some preserves are so fragile that no visitation is allowed. The Portland Arch Nature Preserve not only allows visitors, but invites its guests to enjoy a wonderful nature park, complete with two trail loops (north and south), sandstone bluffs, tranquillity, and a natural bridge called Portland Arch. The North Trail follows along a deep ravine carved by Bear Creek. It's along this trail where a tributary to Bear Creek has worn through the soft Mansfield sandstone cliffs and created the natural bridge.
   The small park, just under 450 acres, is covered in a thick canopy of white oak, maple, walnut, tulip poplar and hickory. This dense forest is a perfect setting for mosses, ferns and lichens. Wild flowers in the preserve include Dutchman's breeches, trout lily, blue-eyed Mary, wood poppy, rock selaginella and Canadian blueberry.
   Registered as a National Natural Landmark, the preserve is found nearby the western Indiana town of Fountain, previously called Portland.

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