Ottawa County Parks & Nature Preserves

The following list of parks and preserves includes those managed by federal, state, county, and non-governmental agencies (such as the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, various historical societies, etc.).

We have tried to collect information on the activities and facilities available at various parks, but things may change without us knowing about it. So please double-check the information at the official site (click on the park’s name to go there).

African Safari Wildlife Park (Private Wildlife Park)

• 267 S. Lightner Road, Port Clinton, OH 43452
• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.

Bay View Park (Toledo City Park)

• 4120 N. Summit, Toledo, Ohio 43611
• GPS coordinates: N41.6934538,W83.4824827
• Location: Just south of Cullen Park; There are four regular parking spots and one handicapped spot near the Point Place lighthouse and parking along Summit Street between Bay View Retirees Golf Course and Cullen Park. Do not park on the grass near the lighthouse parking lot.
• Total trail length: 1.3 miles
• Good site for bird watching
• Restrooms
• Shares a website with Cullen Park. Bay View Pari is near a lighthouse. Its trail is within viewing distance of an active eagle’s nest and baltimore oriole nests.Like Cullen Park it is an exceptional birding site.
• Location on Google Maps

Catawba Island (State Park)

• 4049 E. Moores Dock Road, Port Clinton, OH 43452
• Park size: 10 acres
• Dog friendly (Not on beach)
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Good site for bird watching
• Restrooms
• Boating, swimming
• Park Map for Catawba Island

Crystal Cave (Private Cavern & Winery)

• 978 Catawba Street Put–in–Bay Ohio 43456
• Restrooms
• This cave is world’s largest geode.

Cullen Park (Toledo City Park)

• 4526 N Summit St, Toledo, Ohio 43611
• GPS coordinates: N41.703937, W83.478563
• Location: This park is at the western-most point of Lake Erie, in Point Place (Toledo). Coming from the South: Take NB I-75 to exit 209 “Ottawa River Rd.” At light, proceed straight through intersection. In 1/4 mile there will be a “fork” in the road. Head straight instead of making the curve to the left – you will now be on 108th Street. Take to end (traffic light) turn right (south) onto Summit Street, drive 3 blocks and Cullen Park will be on the left. If you drive by a big white lighthouse- you went too far!
• Trail map
• Park size: About 15 acres
• Total trail length: 1 mile trail on causeway
• Good site for bird watching
• Restrooms
• Boat and kayak launches; boat docks; exceptionally good birding site. This park is just north of Bay View Park.
• Location on Google Maps

East Harbor (State Park)

• 1169 N. Buck Road, Lakeside–Marblehead, OH
• Trail map
• Park size: 1,831 acres
• Total trail length: 10 miles
• Dog friendly (Not on beach)
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Good site for bird watching
• Camp sites
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Boating, swimming (1,500 ft beach), disc golf, snowmobile trails
• Campground Map
• Park Map for East Harbor

Great Egret Marsh Preserve (Nature Conservancy)

• GPS coordinates: N41.540989, W82.822400
• Location: Accross the road from East Harbor State Park. From State Route 2, take State Route 269 North. After 2.5 miles, turn right onto State Route 163 East / State Route 269 North for about ½ mile. Turn left onto State Route 269 North / North Buck Road for about ¾ mile. Turn left onto Buck Road 139A. Entrance to the preserve will be on your right.
• Park size: 150 acres
• Total trail length: 1.2 miles
• Good site for bird watching
• No restrooms are provided.
• The site is an excellent habitat for waterfowl and wading birds. On the trail map, two observations points are identified. There is also a canoe launch on the premises.
• Brochure
• Location on Google Maps

Kelley’s Island (State Park)

• 920 Division St., Kelleys Island, OH 43438
• Trail map
• Park size: 677 acres
• Total trail length: 5 miles
• Dog friendly
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Good site for bird watching
• Camp sites
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Swimming (100 ft beach), glacial grooves, boating
• Campground Map
• Park Map for Kelley’s Island
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Kelley’s Island

Lakeside Daisy (State Nature Preserve)

• 309 Alexander Pike, Marblehead, Ohio 43440
• GPS coordinates: N41.533617, W82.727200
• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Park size: 19 acres
• Home to rare Lakeside daisy
• Location on Google Maps
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Lakeside Daisy

Little Portage (State Wildlife Area)

• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Park size: 407 acres
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Wildlife Area Map for Little Portage

Magee Marsh (State Wildlife Area)

• GPS coordinates: N41.611225,W83.186988
• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Park size: 2,202 acres
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Good site for bird watching
• Restrooms
• Spectacular venue for bird watching during spring migration. More here.
• Here are the GPS coordinates for the boardwalk at Magee Marsh: N41.62734, W83.185721. And here is where the boardwalk is on Google Maps.
• Wildlife Area Map for Magee Marsh
• Location on Google Maps
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Magee Marsh

Marblehead Lighthouse (State Park)

• 110 Lighthouse Drive, Marblehead, OH 43440
• Restrooms
• Picnicing, lighthouse tours
• Park Map for Marblehead Lighthouse
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Marblehead Lighthouse

Middle Bass Island (State Park)

• 1719 Fox Road, Middle Bass Island, OH 43446
• Trail map
• Park size: 124 acres
• Good site for bird watching
• Camp sites
• Restrooms
• Camping (no drinking water available)
• Campground Map
• Park Map for Middle Bass Island
• Marina Map for Middle Bass Island

North Bass Island (State Park)

• Kenny and Meires roads, Put–in–Bay Township, OH
• GPS coordinates: N41.708000, W82.815500
• Park size: 593 acres
• Permit required
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Good site for bird watching
• Camp sites
• Restrooms
• Park Map for North Bass Island

Ottawa (National Wildlife Refuge)

• 4000 West State Route 2 Oak Harbor, OH 43449
• Park size: 4,755 acres
• Dog friendly
• Good site for bird watching
• At least some parts are handicap accessible
• Restrooms
• Noted site for viewing migratory birds. Visitors Center.
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Ottawa

Perry’s Cave (Private Cavern)

• 979 Catawba Ave, Put–in–Bay OH 43456
• Restrooms

Schedel Arboretum and Gardens (Botanical Garden)

• 19255 West Portage River South Road, Elmore, Ohio 43416
• Park size: 17 acres
• Restrooms

South Bass Island (State Park)

• 1523 Catawba Avenue, Put–In–Bay, OH 43456
• Park size: 33 acres
• Dog friendly
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Good site for bird watching
• Camp sites
• Restrooms
• Miller Boat Line (800–500–2421) operates ferry service to island. Camping, boating, swimming
• Campground Map
• Park Map for South Bass Island

Toussaint (State Wildlife Area)

• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Park size: 231 acres
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Good site for bird watching
• Wildlife Area Map for Toussaint

Last Update: 2017-07-24 16:32:02