Wildflowers Are About To Burst Into Bloom At These 8 Ohio Parks
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April Dray
Author
The best parks in Ohio to see wildflowers offer a way to celebrate the beauty of springtime. With plenty of meandering paths and trails to wander, picnic benches, and meadows — it’s a delight for the senses. Enjoy the fresh air and green grass, the colorful blooms, and beautiful trees as they display new life. The following is a list of some of our favorite metro parks, state nature preserves, and other little-known places to view stunning wildflowers in the spring. Let us know which ones you have explored before and which ones belong on your spring in Ohio bucket list.
1. Cedar Bog Nature Preserve: Urbana
Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, 980 Woodburn Rd, Urbana, OH 43078, USA
Protecting more than 400 acres in Champaign County, this hidden gem of a nature preserve is a little out of the way but definitely worth the drive. At the bog, you'll likely forget you're in Ohio. The sedge meadows, wildflowers, and rare plants make an enchanting setting.
2. Lake Erie Islands Conservancy: South Bass Island
255 Meechen Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA
The Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio is a hidden gem most people don’t know about. This half-mile loop trail features a gorgeous variety of wildflowers and even some migratory songbirds celebrating spring in Ohio.
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3. Three Creeks Metro Park: Groveport
Three Creeks Metro Park, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport, OH 43125, USA
This 1-mile Confluence Trail at Three Creeks Metro Park will lead to where the Blacklick, Big Walnut, and Alum Creeks merge into one. We enjoy the scenery along the way and at the end.
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4. Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery State Nature Preserve: Irwin
Bigelow Cemetery State Nature Preserve, 600 Rosedale Rd, Irwin, OH 43029, USA
Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery State Nature Preserve, one of the best places to visit in Ohio in the spring, hides in Irwin and is a nature lover’s dream come true. This serene state nature preserve showcases wildflowers, tombstones, prairie species, and Ohio history.
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5. Springfield Bog Metro Park: Akron
Springfield Bog Metro Park, 1400 Portage Line Rd, Akron, OH 44312, USA
Springfield Bog Metro Park is a little-known gem hiding in one of Ohio's most peaceful prairies. The Prairie Trail is a 1.6-mile loop that's easy to hike. In the spring and summer months, a wide variety of wildflowers bloom, adding a sea of color to an already stunning landscape.
6. Big Creek Reservation: Cleveland
Big Creek Reservation, Brooklyn, OH 44144, USA
Exploring this stunning Cuyahoga County park is downright enchanting in the spring. Lake Abram and the marsh come alive with color. Look for some hikes to explore on the AllTrails website.
7. Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve: Marshallville
Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve, 13240 Fox Lake Rd, Marshallville, OH 44645, USA
Tucked away in Wayne County, you'll find more than 200 acres of some of Ohio's oldest trees at Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve. The wildflowers that bloom here in the spring are absolutely stunning.
8. Lake View Cemetery: Cleveland
Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Although a cemetery might be the last place you’d look for vibrant spring blooms, that’s exactly where you should look the next time you find yourself in northeast Ohio. Daffodil Hill at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland is bursting with color in the springtime. It’s an unbelievably beautiful sight to behold.
The best parks in Ohio are worth exploring. Have you visited any of these parks in the spring before? What others would you add to this list? Share your thoughts, photos, and recommendations with us in the comments below! And while you’re traveling to different wildflower fields, check out this wildflower workbook from the Barnes & Noble website.
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More to Explore
State Parks In Ohio
What are some of the best state parks in Ohio?
- Blue Rock State Park (Blue Rock): This park shows evidence of Ohio's rich bedrock history dating back millions of years. Materials were deposited by the sea and formed blue-colored shale, limestone, and sandstone. The state maintains 4,573 acres of the Blue Rock State Forest surrounding the park with its lovely hickory and oak trees. And in the warmer seasons, pretty wildflowers show up as landing zones for butterflies and bees. Camp at one of the 101 non-electric campsites and swim at the public beach.
- Hocking Hills State Park (Logan): Practice your archery skills at the state-of-the-art range featuring five static targets and 22 3D targets. The scenery includes stunning towering cliffs, jagged gorges, and cascading waterfalls. Each season brings a unique beauty to the wilderness from springtime wildflowers and waterfalls that transform into icy sculptures in the winter. And stargazers — this one's for you — at the John Glenn Astronomy Park you can bring lawn chairs and telescopes, and enjoy the cosmic show.
- Harrison Lake State Park (Fayette): The 142 acres of natural resources here offer swimming, fishing, camping, and paddling. A special dog-swimming area is located near the campground! Reserve a shelter house for your next family reunion and then play disc golf and hike the many trails as part of the fun.