The area operated as the Lone Star Industries limestone quarry before being donated to the university in 2003.
The park contains the 15-foot-deep Quarry Pond, which was formed by the natural filling of the former mining pit.
Researchers use the site to study the succession of plant life following the cessation of industrial mining activities.
The quarry walls expose rock formations that contain fossils from ancient shallow inland seas.
A portion of the park is dedicated to a tallgrass prairie restoration project designed to mimic pre-settlement Indiana ecosystems.
DePauw Nature Park is a 520-acre reclaimed limestone quarry and forest reserve owned and managed by DePauw University. The site features over nine miles of hiking trails that wind through deep ravines, abandoned industrial quarries, and restored prairies. The geography includes significant geological strata dating back to the Mississippian period, visible in the exposed quarry walls. The park serves as a living laboratory for university research, featuring active prairie restoration and water quality monitoring sites. A dedicated interpretive center houses displays on the regional natural history and the site's industrial past. The quarry floor provides a unique microclimate that supports distinct plant and animal species not typically found in surrounding agricultural fields.
The elevated observation deck overlooking the Quarry Pond, which offers a panoramic view of the basin.
Download the trail map from the university website before arrival, as cell service is inconsistent in the ravines.
Bring binoculars for birdwatching, as the diverse mix of wetlands and forest attracts a high variety of migratory species.
Check the university's research calendar if you prefer a quieter visit, as student field studies occasionally occupy main trail segments.
Do not attempt to climb or descend the steep, unstable quarry walls, which are prone to erosion and rockfall.
Open daily from dawn to dusk; trails may occasionally close for deer management or specific university research projects.
Stay on marked trails to protect sensitive restoration areas and keep pets on a leash at all times.
