Natural Getaway
Explore northwest Ohio to find a wealth of biodiversity where the water meets the land.
Birds flock to Magee Marsh each spring, as do those who love to watch them. But the wildlife area is just the start of the natural beauty along northwest Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline. Oak Openings Preserve Metropark protects many of our state’s rare and endangered plant species and contains a variety of ecosystems, while Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve is home to our state’s only natural population of the bright yellow wildflower.
OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE METROPARK: With its diverse ecosystem, Oak Openings is home to a third of all the rare and endangered species in Ohio. Visitors can see sand dunes with prickly pear cacti just yards away from wetlands with blooming orchids. Covering 5,000 acres, Oak Openings is Toledo’s largest metropark. It includes a campground and nearly 100 miles of trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding. Travelers with reservations can spend the night in Cannaley Treehouse Village. This spring, Heavy Beer Co. is opening a nanobrewery and coffee shop there. 4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton 43558, 419/407-9701, metroparkstoledo.com 76
M A R C H / A P R I L 2022
MAGEE MARSH WILDLIFE AREA: This is considered one of the world’s best birding spots, especially during migration season when you’ll find waterfowl, warblers and other birds passing through. Eagles actively nest here and are regularly spotted, too. Hiking trails include the visitor-favorite boardwalk, which winds through marshes and along Lake Erie. Beavers, endangered Blanding’s turtles and foxes are a few of the animals seen there. The beach also offers a picturesque place for a walk. Stop at the Sportsman’s Migratory Bird Center to learn more about the land and wildlife here. 13229 W. St. Rte. 2, Oak Harbor 43449, ohidnr.gov/mageemarsh
OTTAWA AND OAK OPENINGS: MIKE BALONEK MAUMEE: COURTESY OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE: Next door to Magee Marsh, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is known for incredible birding. On various weekends, the refuge’s wildlife drive is open free of charge for visitors to cruise the dikes through the marshes in search of birds and other animals. (Otters are one of the newer residents spotted here from time to time.) Ten miles of walking trails take hikers through woods and marshes and along Lake Erie. The temporarily closed visitor center shares the story of the refuge and its wildlife. Opportunities for fishing are also available. 1400 W. St. Rte. 2, Oak Harbor 43449, 419/898-0014, fws.gov/refuge/ottawa
