EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Wesselman Woods, home to the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States, will open its gates free of charge on the last weekend of each month throughout 2025, thanks to the Eco-Access Initiative.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore over four miles of trails, the five-acre Welborn Baptist Foundation Nature Playscape, the Arwood Family Treehouse, and the Bernhardt Family Bird Sanctuary during these free-access weekends. The scheduled dates for 2025 include May 31–June 1, June 28–29, July 26–27, August 30–31, September 27–28, October 25–26, November 29–30, and December 27–28.
The Eco-Access Initiative seeks to promote equal access to Wesselman Woods by engaging local communities and encouraging outdoor exploration and environmental stewardship. The program is funded through donations, which support environmental education efforts and foster meaningful connections between people and nature.
Donors have the opportunity to sponsor a child or family, creating lasting memories and helping cultivate a new generation of environmental advocates. Those interested in contributing can find more information at wesselmanwoods.org/ecoaccess.
In addition to the free-access weekends, Wesselman Woods will host several upcoming events, including Wilderness Weekend on May 31 at 9 a.m., a free yoga session with Velocity Fitness at 11 a.m., and Trails at Twilight, a guided night hike scheduled for June 5 at 8 p.m.
Wesselman Woods continues to serve as a vital natural resource for the Evansville community, offering educational programming and recreational opportunities in a unique and historic forest setting.
