What do sand dunes, wildflowers, and evergreen trees have in common? Oak Openings Metro Park.
Close to Toledo you'll find what's considered to be Ohio's rarest ecosystem (and one of the world's rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony---and it will truly make you feel like you're not in Ohio anymore.
The park has a tendency to make visitors feel as if they've temporarily traveled to another state or different part of the world.
....sand dunes (that regularly shift with the wind) continue to thrive nearby. The oak-covered savanna with sporadic sand dunes creates a truly interesting environment you have to see to believe.
Oak Openings is also located on the main path for seasonal bird migration, and bird watching is a popular activity here. (So be sure to bring your camera.)
The park covers a total of 4,000 acres and features more than 30 miles of well-marked hiking trails. The diverse terrain is clearly mapped out, ready for exploration.
The Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is located in Swanton and operated by Metroparks of the Toledo Area. It's a true hidden gem not far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Have you ever been to Oak Openings? Share your photos and experiences with us!
While Ohio's nature scene is finally getting a bit of the national recognition it so deserves, our state is home to just one national park. We may be dwarfed by California's nine national parks and Alaska's eight, but The Buckeye State's one-and-only national park is still dazzling.
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park has waterfalls, cliffs comprised of Devonian-era rocks, historic locks and remnants of the Ohio & Erie Canal, and trees estimated to be hundreds of years old! And yet, today, we're going to visit a hidden gem you might not even think twice about: Indigo Lake, a man-made water basin that's fed by natural springs and, as a result, is very clean. This scenic spot is so charming that it just might become your favorite hidden gem in Ohio.
If you've never been to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you might be surprised to see its historic railroad and old structures. The 32,783-acre space started its life as a national recreation area in the 1970s, and in 2000, it was formally designated as a national park. To fuel its creation, the government gobbled up local land parcels, which resulted in bizarre legends of abandonment and some very necessary cleanup projects. As cleanup wrapped up and the landscape prospered, Mother Nature took the area back over. Nevertheless, old structures still wait to greet visitors if you know where to look.
Dede Fields/AllTrails
Before you even make it to Indigo Lake, you might encounter Indigo Lake Station. While it may look historic, the yellow paint on this station actually distinguishes it as a new structure. (If you explore landmarks like Jaite, don't let this "yellow means new" rule confuse you. It only applies to the train depots!) The building here popped up to support traffic to the surrounding hiking trails, which includes the Towpath Trail, Hale Farm & Village, Beaver Marsh, and Indigo Lake itself.
Like many structures in the national park, Indigo Lake is a monument to human activity in the area. The structure started as a sand and gravel mine known as Gray's Quarry. Quarries, as you may know, often filled with water after their abandonment... or, alternatively, water may have led to its abandonment. It wasn't unusual for miners and quarry workers to hit natural springs underground, which naturally filled up quarries like the Peninsula Quarry right around the corner. This lake, however, was formed when the National Park Service filled it with water. Nowadays, that water supply is indeed fueled by underground springs, making it clear, healthy for indigenous species to thrive in, and beautiful.
Kirsty McIntyre/AllTrails
Locals love this area as a fishing spot. Yes, like the water, fish were introduced to the lake by the National Park Service. As it's 89 feet to the bottom at its deepest point, the small lake is surprisingly spacious for indigenous species to thrive in. That depth also makes this hidden gem in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park a favorite hangout for migratory waterfowl, meaning you might be able to spot some rare species here in the spring and fall.
Interestingly, as winter sets in, humans are the one species you're especially likely to encounter here. The Akron Fire Department's Water Rescue Team uses this spot for ice diving training, a much-needed and lifesaving skill in a place with winters as brutal as ours.
Kirsty McIntyre/AllTrails
In the warmer months, this man-made lake in Ohio is a coveted hiking spot. It's right off the Towpath Trail, a massively long stretch of historic path that follows the route of the old Ohio & Erie Canal. This old waterway was constructed in the 1820s and 1830s, and it really allowed the communities along its path to prosper. This old waterway was how goods were transported before the railroads took over, though a flood in 1913 ultimately spelled its end. Nowadays, it's fascinating to see both the canal remains and the railroad in the area around Peninsula, Ohio. These structures allowed a little middle-of-nowhere community south of Cleveland to thrive before highways were common.
Jessica Misko/AllTrails
Whether you're stopping by to hike or fish, Indigo Lake is a true sight to see. It's one of just two spots in the national park where swimming is not allowed, unfortunately, but you'll still want to sit and soak up the area's natural beauty. Stunning, historic, and boasting a legacy that stretches back to the community's birth and early success, this area is a true hidden gem.
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While you're in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, make sure you budget some time to visit Brandywine Falls. At 65 feet in height, it trickles down rocks that predate the dinosaurs.
The Buckeye State is full of natural wonders, from the islands of Lake Erie to the Appalachian foothills. While much beauty meets the eye in our state, one of the most stunning natural wonders exists mostly underground, only revealing itself to the initiated who know where it surfaces. While it may sound like we're talking about some sort of exotic beast, I'm talking about natural springs. Ohio is home to a number of natural springs, but one area in Jeromesville is especially rich in this resource... they built a whole park around spring-fed ponds and streams! This lovely slice of paradise is Cool Springs Wildlife Conservation Park, and it spans a whopping 192 acres. Grab your hiking boots and prepare for adventure, because this pretty spot is calling your name.
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Hills, forests, and a five-foot waterfall are the features that often draw hikers to Cool Springs Wildlife Conservation Park, but as the name implies, its natural springs are secretly the main attraction in the park. This natural feature has kept the park verdant and lush since the days of Johnny Appleseed, and that's not just a random historical marker to prove how long locals have taken advantage of the resources near Jeromesville. No, John "Johnny Appleseed" Chapman actually planted apple trees here back in the day. This legacy of using spring water to fuel farming continues today, as the park trails wind past actively farmed fields.
While 50 acres of the park are farmland, the rest of this landscape encompasses grassland, forest, and marsh, with three distinct spring-fed ponds on the property. They're great for fishing, and the clarity of the water will absolutely dazzle you. If fishing isn't your vibe, you might enjoy treating the ponds as a backdrop for a casual picnic.
Lucinda Arnold/AllTrails
This landscape is wet, thanks not just to the natural springs but also to the button bush swamps and Black Fork River that divide the property. You'll want to wear waterproof boots for your hike, as the landscape can get rather moist after a heavy rain raises the local water table. Don't be surprised if you see water-loving species like beaver hanging out down here, and remember not to approach any indigenous wildlife you encounter. (That is especially true for beavers. These cute critters are rather territorial, and their bite force is roughly twice as powerful as ours. You don't want to make them mad!)
Cool Springs Wildlife Conservation Park is split down the middle by County Road 37, and both sides of the property have something to offer. Mature woodlands thrive in both areas, but the stand of white oaks on the east side of the property will take you back to a creek fed by the area's many natural springs. While it's best observed after a natural rainfall, I love stopping and admiring the spread of ferns even when the creek bed is muddy rather than wet.
Kim Steiner/AllTrails
And, of course, I can't send you out to an Ohio park without mentioning its waterfall! At only five feet in height, the trickle here is petite but beautiful. You'll likely hear the sound of its babbling waters before you spot it, but getting there is easy. Look for the park's spring-fed ponds... once you pass them, the trail will fork, and you'll want to take the left path.
Lindsay Parnaby/AllTrails
This property is beautiful, but it's also intimate. Even locals in the Jeromesville area are often unaware of this park's existence, and it's pretty quiet during most visits. You might even find that you have the landscape all to yourself! And truth be told, even if you are one of several visitors, you might be able to traverse its 192 acres without encountering another hiker.
All in all, Cool Springs Wildlife Conservation Park is a worthy addition to any Ohio hiking bucket list. Its natural springs keep its water features clear and sparkling, and a hilly terrain makes it an adventurous workout for casual and practiced hikers alike.
If you decide to extend your trip in this area, you'll find plenty of natural attractions to fill your itinerary. With the Mohican River keeping the landscape lush, hiking is a treat in the region! Check out our favorite Mohican-area bed and breakfasts for some iconic and cozy accommodations.
