In Fountain County, the Wabash River reveals more than one side: Shawnee Bottoms has a long stretch of riverfront, and canoeing or boating on the river is also among the county’s activities. Add rolling woodland, springs and a stream, murals depicting the history of the West, and Old 55’s regional grain sourcing. Nature, culture and production come together to create a varied but clearly defined picture of the destination.

Wabash River: Landscape and Activities

Shawnee Bottoms is a 459-acre property in Fountain County on the middle Wabash River. More than a mile of riverfront defines its connection to the water. The two measurements offer different points of reference: 459 acres describe the size of the property, while the length of its riverfront reflects its relationship to the river. This means the landscape can be understood not only by its size; its location on the Wabash is also a defining feature. This provides a clear starting point for comparing it with other nature-related sites in the county.

Snyder Marshall Woods offers a different kind of landscape. It protects old-growth upland forest, springs and a stream that flows into the Wabash River. Unlike Shawnee Bottoms, the focus here is not on a long stretch of riverfront, but on water emerging from springs and continuing along a stream. For you, this offers a shift from riverfront to a spring landscape and a stream flowing toward the Wabash. The nature-related sites therefore differ not only in size, but also in how they relate to water.

Canoeing or boating on the Wabash River is also among the activities in Fountain County. This adds an activity on the river to the landscape theme. For planning your trip, the distinction is simple: at Shawnee Bottoms, the Wabash is part of the riverfront landscape, while elsewhere in the county it is also a destination for canoeing and boating.

Nature Conservation and Nature Trail

Portland Arch is designated a National Natural Landmark and is also a nature preserve. These two conservation designations give the site a clear focus on nature. Ravine Park, in turn, has a nature trail. This presents two different points of interest side by side: Portland Arch’s designated conservation status and Ravine Park’s trail as a park feature. Together, they add conservation status and a nature trail to the county’s nature themes, alongside river and spring landscapes.

Fountain County Courthouse: History Moving West

The murals in the Fountain County Courthouse depict westward exploration, expansion and settlement in the United States and western Indiana. The subject matter brings together two scales: the history of the United States and that of western Indiana. Here, the focus for choosing what interests you is not the landscape, but the history of westward settlement. The murals thus present a specific cultural theme alongside the county’s natural and river landscapes.

Old 55: Local Grain Sourcing

Old 55 Distillery is located on a road in Fountain County and sources all its grain from local fields or the family farm. Its connection to the region starts with the raw ingredients themselves. The Old 55 Tasting Room offers cocktails and tours of the distillery. The sourcing and offerings provide two perspectives on Old 55: the grain comes from named local sources, while cocktails and tours at the Tasting Room make up the visitor experience.

Badlands Off Road Park is also an attraction in Fountain County.

Discover more destinations: Attica, Newton County, Perry County, Hamilton, Steuben County, Wabash County, Harrison County, Montgomery County

For the main travel overview: Indiana.