HomeIndianaMichigan City › Shirley Heinze Land Trust St. Francis Nature Preserve

Shirley Heinze Land Trust St. Francis Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 6 Google reviews · Running trail in Michigan City, Indiana · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Shirley Heinze Land Trust St. Francis 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.

BoardwalkStroller / ADATrailhead parking

What runners say about Shirley Heinze Land Trust St. Francis Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (6 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

An excellent trail for hospital visitors and patients as well as for the general public. There is plenty of parking and the interpretive signage is outstanding.

★★★★★ — Thomas , Apr 2022

Excellent wheelchair accessible nature reserve for all age groups even comes with emergency call in case of emergency nice boarded walk propped above the beautiful mossy water

★★★★☆ — William , Apr 2022

I think this trail is a great idea! I love that it's by the hospital for people to be able to get out into nature and to utilize nature in a healing way! 🥰

★★★★★ — Angie , Apr 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 6 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.

Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“Excellent wheelchair accessible nature reserve for all age groups even comes with emergency call in case of emergency nice boarded walk propped above the beautiful mossy water”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

“There is plenty of parking and the interpretive signage is outstanding.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

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Plan your run at Shirley Heinze Land Trust St. Francis Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • 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 — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websiteheinzetrust.org
  • Phone(219) 242-8558
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Shirley Heinze Land Trust St. Francis Nature Preserve

3500 Franciscan Wy, Michigan City, IN 46360

Get directions

Running trails near Michigan City

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

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112-acre, creekside area providing boardwalk trails, an off-leash dog park, playground & disc golf.

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Gardena Park

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Municipal park with 3 basketball courts, 2 baseball fields & on-site restrooms.

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Trail Creek Fishing Area

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All running trails in Michigan City, 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.