COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio's state parks and nature preserves are brimming with color this spring, offering the best places to view beautiful wildflowers in their natural habitats, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
It's time to see the spectacular trout lilies, jack-in-the-pulpits, violets and spring beauties, as well as varieties of trilliums that may already be blooming across the state.
Blooms typically begin to appear in the Ohio Valley in early March and move north and west across the state during the next two months as temperatures warm and daylight increases. Ohio's forest floors become carpeted in shades of blue, pink, yellow, red and white.
To help nature enthusiasts make the most of their wildflower viewing opportunities, ODNR has compiled a list of the best parks and nature preserves to visit in April and May. They are by region:
NORTHERN OHIO
Howard Collier State Nature Preserve in Seneca County: Come view Ohio's first wildflower, the skunk cabbage, at this preserve located on the Sandusky State Scenic River. Follow a trail through the woods containing numerous large beech trees surrounded by sharp-lobed hepatica, Dutchman's breeches, squirrel-corn, three trillium species, and marsh marigold, among others. The preserve is located northeast of McCutchenville.
Augusta-Anne Olsen State Nature Preserve in Huron County: See the beautiful Vermilion River Gorge and a diversity of spring wildflowers here. The Spring Trail, River Loop Trail, and the River Trail offer great views of colorful wildflowers, including twinleaf, large-flowered trillium, ginger, wild hyacinth and showy orchis. The preserve is located about one mile north of Wakeman on West River Road.
Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve/Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County: A spectacular carpet of wildflowers can be found at the park and preserve each spring. Find marsh marigolds along with wild geraniums, jack-in-the-pulpit, and hepatica at the preserve. Just miles away, discover trillium, spring beauties and wild blue phlox at Malabar Farm. Fowler Woods is located north of Mansfield, one mile east of State Route 13 on Olivesburg-Fitchville Road. Malabar is on Pleasant Valley Road, just north of the intersection of State Routes 95 and 603.
Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County: Rolling meadows, marshes, pine and deciduous woods surround a 40-room manor house, providing visitors with a natural and cultural experience. A diverse collection of wildflowers line more than 19 miles of scenic woodland trails and natural lakes. The preserve is located in the village of Hartville, north of State Route 619, off of Swamp Street.
CENTRAL OHIO
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve/Dillon State Park in Muskingum County: This geologically spectacular narrow gorge, cut by the Licking River, hosts an excellent display of spring wildflowers. Oak, hickory, Virginia pine and mountain laurel dominate the hilltops here, while lush flora abounds on the wooded slopes and ravines. Dillon offers a system of trails that lead visitors through its spectacular sights, including the Licking Bend Trail that skirts the lakeshore. The park and preserve are 10 miles apart and accessible from State Route 146.
Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County: More than 40 miles of trail wind along the lakeshore of the Alum Creek reservoir, revealing impressive mature beech-maple forests and colorful wildflowers. Large-flowered trillium, wild geranium, bloodroot, and spring beauties are just a handful of the spring flora that carpet the forest floor. Alum Creek is accessible from South Old State Road, south of U.S. Route 36.
SOUTHERN OHIO
John Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in Greene County: The Little Miami Scenic River cuts through a deep canyon at the preserve and park. See dozens of wildflower species, including hepatica, Virginia bluebells, shooting stars, snow trillium, wild ginger, and wild columbines. Both the park and preserve are accessible from State Route 343, west of Clifton.
Hueston Woods State Park/Nature Preserve in Preble and Butler counties: Both the park and preserve are superb wildflower sites, encompassing a 200-acre old growth forest that's floor is blanketed with Dutchman's breeches, squirrel corn, large-flowered and sessile trilliums, may-apple, bloodroot and several species of violets and buttercups. Also see an abundance of stately beech and sugar maple trees and ferns. The preserve is located within the state park. Both are accessible from State Route 27.
Hocking Hills State Park/Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve in Hocking County: At Conkle's Hollow, a spectacular sandstone gorge is home to some of Ohio's most breathtaking sights and beautiful wildflowers. In the park, the Ash Cave Trail offers a view of trillium and other wildflower species in bloom. See towering hemlocks and a variety of ferns at the bottom of the stunning sandstone gorge. Both the park and preserve are accessible from State Route 664.
Shawnee State Park in Scioto County: Located in the Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio River, this park and adjacent Shawnee State Forest make the region one of the most picturesque and biologically diverse in the state. With its erosion-carved valleys and wooded hills, Shawnee's visitors on its hiking and bridle trails will find no shortage of spring wildflowers. Unusual species include lady slipper orchids, showy orchis, dwarf-crested iris and vernal iris, and mountain laurel, as well as the more common hepatica, trout lily, trillium and phlox. The park can be found off of State Route 126 near Portsmouth.
Pike Lake State Park in Pike County: The diverse landscape at Pike Lake makes it a great destination during any season, but especially in spring. Dense forests of oak, hickory, and tulip trees are joined by outcroppings of sandstone bedrock and a variety of wildflowers and ferns, making for a spectacular display. The park can be found off of Township Road 505, south of Bainbridge.
Visitors to any state park or nature preserve are reminded that collecting natural materials is prohibited.