Northern Indiana is full of surprises. From the incredible majesty of the vast Lake Michigan to the pristine beauty of its small towns, the Hoosier State is outrageously beautiful, and lucky for us there just so happens to be plenty of places that work hard to preserve our natural wonders. Let’s take a look at one nature preserve in particular; it’s so beautiful that even the drive up to it is astonishing and otherworldly. It’s the Merry Lea Environmental Center, and if you’ve never been, you are in for a wonderful treat.

The spellbinding drive up to Merry Lea Environmental Center is through an emerald tunnel of trees along a well-kept dirt road.
David Cornwell/Flickr
It feels positively adventurous, and it's a not-so-subtle hint about the breathtaking beauty to come.
Merry Lea was dedicated as a state nature preserve in 1980.
David Cornwell/Flickr
It aims to restore, preserve, and revive the delicate ecosystems that make up the Northern Indiana we know and love. Just 3 percent of Indiana's natural wetlands still remain in this region; once upon a time, wetlands covered almost a quarter of the state.
Most people think about plains and corn fields when they think of Indiana - but today's Indiana is much different than the Indiana of yesteryear.
David Cornwell/Flickr
Merry Lea aims to "bring back" what Indiana naturally used to be through the preservation of hundreds of species of plants, animals, birds, and more.

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Everywhere you go is ridiculously photogenic.
David Cornwell/Flickr
We're fairly certain you can't take a bad picture of this amazing little place. The drive in is just the appetizer for a stunning main course.
Hike any of the beautiful trails that weave through the park like life-giving veins.
David Cornwell/Flickr
Should you find yourself so captivated that you never want to leave, great news: you can always volunteer.
But if you prefer to come in, observe, fall in love, and then come back again someday, we're not here to judge - after all, it's not every day you end up somewhere so awe-inspiringly beautiful.
David Cornwell/Flickr

For more information about Merry Lea Environmental Center, including hours, programs, and even volunteering information, be sure to check out the official website.

Do you know of any other amazing nature preserves in Indiana? How many of them have scenic roads all the way in? Let us know in the comments (or by filling out this form), and you might just see your suggestion featured someday.

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Featured Addresses
Merry Lea Environmental Learning, Albion, IN 46701, USA