Natural Areas

Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve
980 Woodburn Road
Urbana, OH 43078
(937) 484-3744
800.860.0147
http://www.cedarbog.org

The largest and best example of a boreal and prairie fen complex in Ohio, Cedar Bog hosts many rare plants and animals and has excellent orchid, prairie and woodland flower displays along a boardwalk.

Chapparral Prairie State Nature Preserve
OH 45693
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/chaparral_prairie.html

At the height of summer, the vibrant colors of the prairie wildflowers are breathtaking. This preserve is home to Ohio’s largest population of Rattlesnake Master, a white prairie flower. The summer blooms draw a number of rare butterflies.

Clear Creek Metro Park
185 Clear Creek Road
Rockbridge, OH 43149
(740) 385-1834
http://www.hockinghills.com/clearcreek

More than 800 plant species and 150 species of birds can be seen from Clear Creek’s 15 miles of trails. The cool, mountainous climate provides a habitat for species found much farther north, including hemlocks and mountain laurel.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
OH 45387
(614) 265-6453
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/location/clifton.html

Clifton Gorge is one of Ohio’s most popular preserves featuring spectacular limestone formations, a chasm and miles of hiking trails. It has a stunning display of spring wildflowers such as the rare snow trillium.

Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve
19852 State Route 664 South
Logan, OH 43138
(740) 385-6841
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/conkles_hollow.html

Conkle’s Hollow is a beautiful sandstone gorge where visitors can enjoy 25 hiking trails and breathtaking vistas of Ohio’s Hocking Hills. The crisp, cool climate of the gorge supports a biome filled with Canada yew, teaberry and partridgeberry.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park
7104 Canal Road
Valley View, OH 44125
(216) 524-1497
http://www.nps.gov/cuva

Encompassing 33,000 acres between Cleveland and Akron along the Cuyahoga River, the park offers more than 900 plant species, waterfalls, hiking trails, the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail for walking and cycling, a scenic railroad, historic sites, and more.

Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve
OH 44231
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/eagle_creek.html

A moss-filled bog at Eagle Creek shelters northern rarities including large cranberry, winterberry holly and two insect-eating plants. More than 70 species of wildflowers emerge each spring.

Goll Woods State Nature Preserve
OH 43502
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/goll_woods.html

Reminiscent of the Great Black Swamp that covered this region, the 321-acre Goll Woods hosts 200- to 400-year-old oaks and a rich variety plant life including spotted coral-root and three-birds-orchid.

Howard Collier State Nature Preserve
McCutchenville, OH 44883
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/collier.html

This 115-acre preserve hosts a spectacular diversity of spring wildflowers including three trillium species and sharp-lobed hepatica. Marsh marigolds and skunk cabbage provide a striking display in early May.

Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve
OH 44646
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/jackson_bog.html

Jackson Bog supports more than 20 state-listed rare plants. Summer is the best time to view its populations of flowering and carnivorous plants including northern pitcher plant and shrubby cinquefoil.

Kitty Todd State Nature Preserve
Swanton, OH 43558
(614) 265-6453
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art162.html

Plant communities including sand barren, black oak savanna, sedge meadow, and wet prairie are home to more than 100 state-listed rare plants. Wild lupine provides a habitat for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly.

Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve
OH 45640
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/lake_katharine.html

Lake Katharine, a clear-water lake surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, is one of Ohio’s most magnificent natural areas. Wild mountain laurels and magnolias thrive along the preserve’s trails and in the ravines.

Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve
Marblehead, OH 43440
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/lakeside_daisy.html

A former limestone quarry is home to the only natural population of Lakeside Daisies in the United States. The bright yellow flowers burst forth in early to mid-May.

Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve
OH 43326
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/lawrence_woods.htm

At 1,035 acres this is the largest known mature forest in the region. It is home to numerous rare species including the heart-leaf plaintain and grove sandwort growing along the boardwalk. An excellent site for spring wildflowers.

Oak Openings Preserve
4139 Girdham Road
Swanton, OH 43558
(419) 407-9700
http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/oakopenings

Recognized by The Nature Conservancy as one of 200 “Last Great Places on Earth,” Oak Openings hosts prickly pear cactus blooming on dry, hot sand dunes just yards from orchids growing in low, wet swales.

Quail Hollow State Park
13480 Congress Lake Ave.
Hartville, OH 44632
(330) 877-6652
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/quailhlw.htm

Quail Hollow’s diverse habitats include rolling fields, woodlands and wetlands, a variety that allows for an abundance of unique plant populations such as blazing star and sneezeweed and a sphagnum-peat bog.

Secor Metropark
10,001 West Central Avenue
Berkey, OH 43504
(419) 407-9700
http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/secor/index.asp

Secor’s 600 acres feature a swamp forest, tall grass prairie, a large concentration of dogwoods, and the National Center for Nature Photography (open weekends). Excellent spring wildflowers.

Triangle Lake Bog State Nature Preserve
OH 44266
(614) 265-6453
http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/triangle.htm

One of the best examples of a kettle-lake bog in Ohio, the preserve contains carnivorous plants and a floating sphagnum mat. A number of rare plants are found here including leatherleaf, large cranberry and catberry.