HomeIndianaWolcottville › Olin Lake Nature Preserve

Olin Lake Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 55 Google reviews · Running trail in Wolcottville, Indiana · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Olin Lake Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedLoopScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Preserve featuring trails and woods leading to a lake for walking and bird-watching.

What runners say about Olin Lake Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (55 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“The trails are generally well-maintained, providing a straightforward experience for walkers and families.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“There is a boardwalk To a scenic overlook of Olin Lake which is about 3/4 of a mile from the parking spot.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“Olin Nature Preserve in LaGrange, Indiana, is a peaceful spot for those looking to enjoy the outdoors.”

Very nice little nature preserve on a quiet road. Approximately 2 miles of trails. Trails are very narrow and a little rugged. Definitely watch for ticks and bring bug spray in the hot season. Trails are marked fairly well, and it’s a pretty simple loop system.

★★★★☆ — Joshua , Jun 2025

I love exploring outdoor areas. I found out about Olin Lake Nature Preserve through eBird, since I'm a birder. Today, I thought I'd give it a shot. This is a nice nature preserve! It's in a really quiet area, and there were lots of birds and other wildlife when I was here.

★★★★★ — Zachary , Oct 2018

This is some nice trails through the woods. And a trail that leads to a pretty lake. Don’t miss the tree that looks like a face.

★★★★★ — Mary , Aug 2024

Olin Nature Preserve in LaGrange, Indiana, is a peaceful spot for those looking to enjoy the outdoors. Spanning over 200 acres, it features a network of trails that meander through woods and wetlands, making it a decent place for hiking or casual walks.

★★★★★ — Yoder , Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 55 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“There is a boardwalk To a scenic overlook of Olin Lake which is about 3/4 of a mile from the parking spot.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Olin Nature Preserve in LaGrange, Indiana, is a peaceful spot for those looking to enjoy the outdoors.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“There is a boardwalk To a scenic overlook of Olin Lake which is about 3/4 of a mile from the parking spot.”

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🪵 Boardwalk 2 mentions

“There is a boardwalk To a scenic overlook of Olin Lake which is about 3/4 of a mile from the parking spot.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“Full loop took a little under an hour at moderate pace with a few stops to ck out scenery or chat with another hikers.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“No restroom facilities or Porta Johns.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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Plan your run at Olin Lake Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitesecure.in.gov

Hours

Monday 9 AM–5 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–5 PM
Thursday 9 AM–5 PM
Friday 9 AM–5 PM
Saturday 9 AM–5 PM
Sunday 9 AM–5 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Olin Lake Nature Preserve

5555 S 125 E, Wolcottville, IN 46795

Get directions

Running trails near Wolcottville

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Bixler Lake Park

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LitScenic

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Lonidaw Nature Preserve - ACRES Land Trust

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Scenic

11.4 miles away

Blackman Woods Preserve

1.7 ★★☆☆☆ 3 reviews

Kendallville, IN

13.1 miles away

Franks Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 140 reviews

Sturgis, MI

Park featuring soccer fields, picnic tables, and a public restroom.

15.4 miles away

Trojan Timbers Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 406 reviews

Sturgis, MI

Shaded

Park featuring a castle-themed playground, picnic areas, and a splash pad, plus a restroom.

16.8 miles away

Plumb Lake County Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 132 reviews

Sturgis, MI

Scenic

Park with walking and hiking trails, fishing, and a playground.

17.2 miles away

All running trails in Wolcottville, IN →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.