Recently someone suggested Fox Island County Park for Caesar and I to hike. Today I woke up and decided this was the day that we would check it out. It’s around a 50 minute drive from Van Wert. Fox Island is located near the Fort Wayne Airport at 7324 Yohne Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46809, and is 605 acres. Within the park is a State Nature Preserve. There are around seven miles of trails in the park, more than enough for Caesar and I.
The first trail we explored was the Tree Trail because I was on the hunt for some “wood spirits.” The park Facebook page posted about wood spirits hidden on the Tree Trail. Wood spirits bring good luck to hikers and watch over them as they travel. You can either take the wood spirits with you or leave them in the woods for other hikers.
My first pass through the Tree Trail I came out empty handed, but I did find tons of interesting mushrooms. The trail also runs along a swamp which was very interesting. The trails aren’t incredibly well labeled so at one point I believe I left the Tree Trail and was on the Preserve Trail. Both were very beautiful and made it feel as if I were far, far from home. Eventually, we decided to turn around and find our way back to the Tree Trail, which we did.
After finishing the Tree Trail, I felt like I’d never find the wood spirits I was looking for. I knew they were in there somewhere watching me, but I didn’t know where. I had two choices: check out another trail or give the Tree Trail another sweep.
I’m not one to give up easily, so I took another pass and almost instantly I found my first wood spirit; I was ecstatic! Only a few hundred feet away I found another one! Good enough for me!
I decided to leave the rest of the wood spirits in the Tree Trail for other hikers and head to the Upper Dune Trail which connects to the Lower Dune Trail. These two trails run most the way across the park and are very scenic.
I’ve been to a few different Indiana trails between Decatur and Fort Wayne, and I can easily say that Fox Island Park is by far the most scenic and beautiful that I’ve been to so far. The trial isn’t paved like the Riverwalk trails, but it feels far more natural. It’s incredible that a place like this is in a city as big as Fort Wayne. You could easily feel as if you were in the middle of no where, far from any civilization.
Both before and after our hike, I payed a visit to the Nature Center which had very friendly and helpful staff. The Center had maps available which were useful in helping me chose which trails to try out.
Typically when I go for a hike I aim to do at least four miles and gain 10,000 steps before I leave. Four miles is a good number for Caesar when the weather permits. If there is a lot of water available, he can do more. If it’s hot, then we cut it way back. In this particular area, there was no water for him to drink. I always make sure to pack water for Caesar regardless of if there will be streams or not.
There is, though, apparently a swim area for dogs at Fox Island, but we didn’t make it to that section of the park on our first visit.
This visit to a place so close to home has increased my love for the area. I’ve often thought about leaving Van Wert and moving to a place full of nature. As I’ve taken trips to Fort Wayne, Decatur, and Macedonia (Cuyahoga Valley National Park), I’ve realized I wouldn’t have to look far to find places that offer everything I am searching for.
People belong in nature. We need to watch the trees change, discover tree spirts and mushrooms, and see wildlife in its true form. Spending a morning at Fox Island is a stark reminder of how much healing nature can do to a soul. Each hike I take with Caesar brings us closer together.
We will certainly be checking out Fox Island again in the near future.
I want a tree spirit! William and I will have to go with you guys one day 😁