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Spicer Lake Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 261 Google reviews · Running trail in New Carlisle, Indiana · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Spicer 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.
Well-maintained park featuring boardwalks and wetlands, plus trails.
What runners say about Spicer Lake Nature Preserve
“The bathrooms are large, clean, and have a vestibule that is climate controlled, and had a water fountain.”
“Plenty of picturesque views that showcases the natural beauty of our local wetlands.”
“The trails are well marked and the boardwalk out to the small lake was amazing.”
“Very pleasant and quiet, the boardwalk is aging but sturdy and provides handicapped access to areas that would be impossible to see without it.”
Spicer Lake Nature Preserve was an awesome place to go to and explore! Very clean bathroom right next to the parking lot. Nice boardwalk through the wetland area which was very nice. Decent amount of hiking trails that are very well kept. Multiple look out points which were also extremely nice.
Had a great time walking the trails with my wife and our dogs. Had to step over a few downed trees due to a storm that came through the day before. But to me that’s part of the adventure.
Dog-friendly Spicer Lake Nature Preserve features 2 pothole lakes formed from blocks of ice melting away after the last glacier left Indiana! 25 minutes away from New Buffalo, highly recommend the Marsh, wetland and wood trails for anyone looking to explore nature with their favorite pet.
This is a beautiful place to visit. Several different trails linking to each other and boardwalks through wetlands. Never no what kind of wild life you may see. Stumbled upon a couple watersnakes sunning themselves! A baby painted turtle too!
Trail conditions & character
“Very pleasant and quiet, the boardwalk is aging but sturdy and provides handicapped access to areas that would be impossible to see without it.”
“The boardwalk is astetically pleasing as much as it is an opportunity to view wildlife you seldom see in the city.”
“The bathrooms are large, clean, and have a vestibule that is climate controlled, and had a water fountain.”
“Very pleasant and quiet, the boardwalk is aging but sturdy and provides handicapped access to areas that would be impossible to see without it.”
“Dog-friendly Spicer Lake Nature Preserve features 2 pothole lakes formed from blocks of ice melting away after the last glacier left Indiana!”
“The bathrooms are large, clean, and have a vestibule that is climate controlled, and had a water fountain.”
Plan your run at Spicer Lake Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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 trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesjcparks.org
- Phone(574) 654-3155
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–8 PM |
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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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