Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve — Attraction in Fishers

This is a 120+ acre park with a couple picnic areas, and several foot trails totaling a little under 2.5 miles. There are woods, prairies, wetlands, and even a small swamp. There is a crushed rock pathway that leads from the parking lot to the two shelters which are less than a quarter mile from the parking lot. There are permanent restrooms that are maintained as well.

You really feel like you are away from it all - despite being solidly in the NE suburbs of Indianapolis.

Would definitely recommend stopping at the cabin when you get in and pick up a map of the trails. There are signs throughout - yet it is easier if you have the map. I did all of the trails; some twice. A couple short ones take you out into the prairie. The longer ones are through the woods - complete with an old family cemetery on the longest one. Finally, there's a swamp trail - with a boardwalk.

Prepare to get muddy. You'll cross creeks on a bridge - yet the trails can still get wet and muddy - I only had it on my shoes and the bottom of my pants.

There are a few benches by the shelter, by the front, on the swamp trail, and at the intersection of 2 trails through the woods.

I spent over 2 hours here - you don't need that long - but I was really enjoying. Average is probably closer...

We live less than a mile from Ritchey Woods and have frequented this wonderful preserve for many years. Our dogs have always loved going to "RW". It is beautiful in all seasons, especially the Fall. Over the years we have seen lots of deer as well as coyotes, foxes, raccoons, otters in Cheney Creek, beavers, several non-vemomous species of snakes, turtles, and an abundance of bird life including various raptors, pialated woodpeckers, Great Horned Owls, etc. RW has a nice series of well-maintained trails and bridges and even a small cemetery dating to the early 1800s. RW has the feel of southern lndiana woodlands such as Brown County, Lake Monroe, Yellowwood etc although obviously on a much smaller scale and is a perfect place to take children, leashed dogs and anyone seeking a respite of solitude and beauty in an area surrounded by...

Gorgeous park with well maintained hiking trails! I visited on a very warm day in May with our rescue dog (London), while my husband was doing a puppet show at Conner Prairie. London and I set off with no idea where we were going, or how long the paths were. We hiked through a variety of habitats, across well-maintained wooden bridges, and up and down small hills. Though there were many cars in the parking lot, and we saw some people along the trails, the park did not fell at all crowded. I enjoyed the sense of solitude as we traversed the boardwalk through the wetland area. There are modern restrooms, a covered shelter with picnic tables. If you like nature and adventure, this is a great...