There are times in life when we need to step outside, get some fresh air, stretch our legs and find some peace and solitude.
We have a hidden gem right here in Hendricks County, Indiana, that will help with that: Burnett Woods Nature Preserve in Avon.
Where is Burnett Woods?
Located on County Road 100 South, just east of Dan Jones Road, Burnett Woods is an 80-acre Indiana State Dedicated Nature Preserve that is owned and maintained by the Central Indiana Land Trust. Their purchase of the land was made possible by a gift from Ruth Burnett.
The best option is to park at the Avon Light and Life Free Methodist Church located at 8264 E. County Road 100 South in Avon. Park behind the church next to the softball diamond and walk in a southeast direction across the grass toward the road. You'll run right into the entrance to Burnett Woods.
What is in Burnett Woods?
Burnett Woods is full of black walnut, oak, hickory, maple and tulip poplar trees, which provide lots of shade in the summer and display rich, beautiful color in the fall. It's also full of native wildflowers -- such as wild geranium, woodland phlox, prairie trillium and toad-shade trillium -- and shrubs that provide a different kind of beauty in the spring.
A couple of small, slow-moving creeks also pass through the property. All of it can be explored by hiking one or both of the trail loops: the Blue Trail (0.5 miles) and the Red Trail (1.2 miles).
Burnett Woods Trails
Both trails in Burnett Woods are natural surfaces, so you'll want to wear boots or shoes that you don't mind getting muddy or dusty, depending on the conditions. You'll also want to leave the strollers at home. In recent years, nice boardwalks have been added in several low spots along both trails, which keep hikers out of the serious mud.
The Red and Blue Trails are both mostly flat and easy walks, with the Blue Trail exploring the mature woods in the southern section of the preserve. The Red Trail winds through new growth and mature woods in the northern section.
No Invasive Plants, Please
Before you start hiking, there is a boot brush station asking visitors to wipe their shoes before progressing further into the nature preserve to prevent seeds from invasive plants like Japanese Stilt Grass and Garlic Mustard from being introduced to the habitat.
Invasive plants come into an area and use up the space, light and nutrients of native plants without providing the same food and shelter benefits to wildlife. They spread quickly and choke out the native plants, so keeping this in mind, I always wipe my shoes on the boot brush before heading into the woods.
Best Time to Visit
Spring brings wildflowers to Burnett Woods, while summer provides a beautiful canopy of mature trees to keep hikers shaded and cool. My favorite time of year is autumn, when the woods explode into vibrant oranges and yellows that envelop hikers. Winter walks provide their own beauty and serenity.
As you might expect, wildlife abounds in this nature preserve -- squirrels, chipmunks, birds, amphibians, deer and more are common sights for quiet explorers -- making Burnett Woods a new adventure every time, no matter what time of year you explore it.
