EAGLE CREEK
STATE NATURE PRESERVE - 472 ACRES

NATURAL AREAS DISCOVERY SERIES

Spring Hikes, May 24, 10 am to 2 pm

Main Feature:

Floodplain forest with diverse wetland communities, spectacular spring wildflowers.

This preserve encompasses a variety of communities supporting a diversity of flora and fauna typical of northeastern Ohio. Eagle Creek meanders through a wide floodplain dotted with beaver dams, marshlands, small bogs and button bush swamps. The north-facing slopes are forested by beeches and maples; white oak woodlands are common on the drier, south-facing slopes.

There are more than 100 species of woody plants including uncommon trees, such as cucumber magnolia and yellow birch, as well as 70 species of spring wildflowers. More than 20 species of ferns have been cataloged in the preserve, including ostrich ferns nearly five feet tall. The sphagnum bog shelters such northern rarities as large cranberry, winterberry holly, cotton sedge and insect-eating plants including round-leaved sundew and northern pitcher-plant.

Location:

Located in Portage County 2 miles northeast of Garrettsville on Center Rd. From Garrettsville go east on State Rte 82 for two blocks to the flashing light. Turn left (north) at the light onto Center Rd. Travel Center Rd for 2.3 miles to Hopkins Rd and turn right (south). The visitor parking is on Hopkins Rd.

A loop trail is present, including a boardwalk through a small sphagnum bog and a wildlife observation tower.

  Abide by Preserve Rules at all times