Ashland County: Nature Trails, Wetlands, and History
Accommodation in Ashland County
Ashland County combines expansive natural areas, waterways, and historic sites into a destination offering many different experiences. Mohican-Memorial State Forest is located in the southern part of the county. In addition, there are natural areas with hiking trails, ponds, wet forests, and designated areas for birdwatching and nature observation. Those planning a trip that combines active and more leisurely days can take these differences into account when choosing their vacation rental and tailor their stay to the excursions they want to take.
Landscapes for Hiking and Nature Observation
The Ashland County Park District manages 17 ponds, more than 30 miles of hiking trails, and more than 2,400 acres of land. The River Walk Nature Area covers 11 acres along the Jerome Fork of the Mohican River and provides access to the river for more than 1,500 feet. A three-quarter-mile trail leads through an area used for hiking, birdwatching, and observing spring wildflowers. Canoeing and kayaking are also possible on the Jerome Fork.
Other protected and recreational areas also focus on different activities. The approximately 80-acre Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park includes important wildlife habitats, gently rolling meadows, a wooded ravine, and a pond. It is open to the public for fishing, hiking, birdwatching, and nature observation. Hurdle Waterfowl Park has two miles of hiking trails, as well as a 4.5-acre fishing pond, a 12-acre complex of shallow ponds, and a 2.5-acre duck pond.
Wetlands, Trails, and Special Wildlife Habitats
The Audubon Wetlands Preserve is particularly diverse. It has two half-mile loop trails, as well as a 1.5-mile loop trail with five bridges over former river channels. A 300-foot-long, elevated boardwalk with railings complements the trails. The preserve encompasses more than 100 acres of swamp white oak and maple forest and several wetlands, including a rare cattail marsh, a high-quality big bluestem prairie cordgrass marsh, and a buttonbush swamp. More than 96 bird species have been identified in the area; it is also home to a great blue heron colony and a bald eagle nest.
Byers Woods offers more than three miles of trails through forests, grasslands, wetlands, and areas with fishing ponds. Four fishing ponds are available; fishing is permitted without a fishing license and exclusively on a catch-and-release basis. A total of 161 different bird species have been identified at Byers Woods. This information helps you distinguish between a walk, an observation tour, and an outing with the opportunity to fish, without experiencing all the areas in the same way.
Mohican-Memorial State Forest and Cultural Discoveries
Mohican-Memorial State Forest can be reached via Interstate 71 and State Routes 97 and 3 and is open to visitors daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. A mountain biking trail through the State Forest and Mohican State Park forms a loop of more than 24 miles, with two possible starting points. The State Forest has more than 27 miles of bridle trails for horseback riders. The publicly accessible Discovery Forest at Mohican adds a 1.5-mile educational trail through areas managed according to sustainable forestry practices.
The Memorial Shrine and the surrounding 270 acres of Memorial Forest were approved in 1945 to commemorate the men and women from Ohio who died defending their country in World War II and all subsequent conflicts in which the United States became involved. The Memorial Shrine is accessible to visitors with disabilities. The Ashland County Historical Society also adds a historical dimension by preserving four historic buildings and offering self-guided tours through the Center Street Historic District and along Ashland Main Street.
Choose the Right Starting Point
When looking for a vacation rental in Ashland County, it is worth considering in advance how you want to spend your vacation days: Should hiking trails and wetlands be the main focus, are you more interested in mountain biking and horseback riding trails, or would you like to combine nature with historical impressions? Depending on your priorities, a different location within the county may make sense. You can also include Ashland as an additional destination in your travel planning. This leaves room for extensive nature experiences as well as shorter routes through historic areas and relaxed observation at ponds and along waterways.
For the overarching travel overview: Ohio.
More Destinations
More places within the same destination:
