2023 Mccloud Prairie Maze

Come out to McCloud Nature Park during the months of September and October for the 2023 McCloud Prairie Maze and celebrate one of the cutest and most interesting members of the rodent family: the squirrel! Because their teeth never quit growing, squirrels must constantly chew on things to prevent their teeth from growing too long. Usually, they gnaw on tree branches, but if you look closely at the wheel stops in the parking lot near Paw Paw Pathway, you’ll see that they’ll chew on just about anything. There are three main types of squirrels: ground, tree, and flying squirrels. The most common type that most of us are familiar with is the tree squirrel. Here in Indiana, tree squirrels include the grey squirrel, the red squirrel, and one of the most common types spotted in McCloud Nature Park, the fox squirrel. Want to learn more about squirrels? Stop in at our Nature Center and ask our naturalists about these fascinating animals. If you’re really lucky, Assistant Park Naturalist Joe Lembo will be who you talk to because he is especially nutty about squirrels! (Ask him to tell you why some squirrels glow pink under ultraviolet light!) Celebrate squirrels this fall with a trip through our squirrel-themed prairie maze. Be sure to dress for the weather, wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, and bring some water. Bring the kits, too, as this maze is appropriate for all ages! Make sure to explore the McCloud Prairie Maze by October 31 and then see how many squirrels you can find in the park afterwards! Admission to McCloud Nature Park and the prairie maze is absolutely FREE, and both are open from dawn to dusk daily. To access the prairie maze, park in the Nature Center parking lot. Maps to the maze are available in the kiosk outside of the Nature Center, as well as in the kiosk at the entrance to the maze.