Posey County’s Cypress Sloughs provide the experience of a Deep South ecosystem in Southern Indiana. Magnificent Bald Cypress trees, and their attendant knees, line the water and provide important habitat for an intriguing variety of wetland plants and animals, some that make their home there, others that just pass through.

No two cypress sloughs are identical. Each is unique. But in general, they are areas of slightly lower elevation than the surrounding land. Places where water naturally congregates.The Bald Cypress, which dominates the slough, is a cousin to the California redwood, a deciduous conifer which loses its leaves in winter. Cypress trees are known for their “knees,” woody projections which are part of the root system but pop out of the ground in the area surrounding the trees. Their purpose is unknown but scientists speculate that they provide additional oxygen to tree and/or help anchor the Cypress in the soft muddy soil in which it thrives.

Keep in mind that Cypress Sloughs can be difficult to traverse, inhospitable places throughout much of the year. They are very muddy when it is wet, and mosquito infested when it is hot, so if you want to visit during those times, plan accordingly. But when the weather is nice and relatively dry. the Cypress Sloughs can seem magical with their incredible light and diverse plants and wildlife.

Big Cypress Slough is the largest cypress slough in the county. It is also home to a nest of Bald Eagles that can be seen from the road. The parking lot at the north end provides access to trails that lead into the heart of the slough.

Hovey Lake Fish and Wildlife Area
Big Cypress Slough
13600 Bonebank Rd
Mount Vernon, Indiana 47620
(812) 838-2927

Website

Accessible sloughs include  Twin Swamps, The Grey Estate, and Big Cypress Slough,  as well as sections of Hovey Lake and other isolated examples along the Wabash and Ohio.

The sloughs are great spots for birdwatchers. The Prothonotary Warbler is a rare bird that’s sometimes seen there. Red headed woodpeckers are common. Yellow crowned night herons have nested here from time to time. Rare plants include a particular species of Goldenrod and several Oaks that are unique to this area. As one would expect in a swamp, there are many amphibians, including the Lesser Siren, an amphibian with vestigial legs, as well as a wide variety of frogs.

No two cypress sloughs are identical. Each is unique. But in general, they are areas of slightly lower elevation than the surrounding land. Places where water naturally congregates.The Bald Cypress, which dominates the slough, is a cousin to the California redwood, a deciduous conifer which loses its leaves in winter. Cypress trees are known for their “knees,” woody projections which are part of the root system but pop out of the ground in the area surrounding the trees. Their purpose is unknown but scientists speculate that they provide additional oxygen to tree and/or help anchor the Cypress in the soft muddy soil in which it thrives.

If you consider a visit, keep in mind that Cypress Sloughs can be inhospitable places throughout much of the year. They are very muddy when it is wet, and mosquito infested when it is hot. Many of the roads near the Point flood during rainy seasons. So if you want to visit during those times, plan accordingly.

But when the weather is nice and relatively dry, Posey County’s Cypress Sloughs are natural wonders with incredible light and diverse plants and wildlife.

The Grey Estate Cypress Slough is essentially the other side of the Twin Swamp Cypress Slough, and is accessible via a parking area directly across the road from Big Cypress Slough.

Grey Estate has several trails that follow the slough or take the hiker through interesting flat woods.

The land is also open to hunting with the proper permit.

The Grey Estate
13600 Bonebank Rd
Mount Vernon, Indiana 47620
(317) 951-8818

Website
Nature Conservancy Guidelines for Visiting Preserves