Cleveland is blessed with a winding pattern of parks known collectively as the Emerald Necklace. The metroparks dazzle in their natural state, teeming with flora and fauna of every shape and color. Sometimes, though, it is refreshing to travel a little further from home to explore something new and experience an entirely different natural habitat. If you’re seeking a large state park near Cleveland for your next hiking adventure, look no further than this alluring spot managed by the Summit Metro Parks.
Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve is located at 1230 Old Mill Road in Aurora.
Scott Smithson/Flickr The state nature preserve and the creek for which it is named carves through Portage and Summit Counties.
Nearly 786 acres of splendor is awaiting your visit.
Jason Morrison/Flickr Swamps, marshes, and a plethora of wildlife are extraordinary features of this grand park.
Marshes and ponds dot the region, creating the perfect habitat for waterfowl…
Scott Smithson/Flickr Wood Ducks, Canadian Geese, and other species often nest amid this stunning greenery. Bring binoculars on your hike to get a close view without disturbing them.
…As well as the perfect habitat for a variety of mammalian fauna.
John Potter/Flickr Racoon, deer, and weasels are just a few of the critters that live in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for footprints, because the marshy conditions are just right to create traces of these animals.
Tinkers Creek has remained untouched by development, which means it is spectacularly pristine.
Tim Evanson/Flickr Native flowers and other Ohio plants grow in abundance in this untouched wonderland. The moist soils of the wetlands ensure that flowers remain bountiful throughout the summer months.
Due to swampy conditions, the entirety of the preserve is not accessible to visitors.
John Potter/Flickr There are, however, several routes that remain dry throughout most of hiking season, such as the South Point Trail.
Seven Ponds Trail is one of the best routes to take if you wish to take in all of the wonders of this state park.
Scott Smithson/Flickr Along this route you will pass through a field and forest, then alongside the marsh. Tell-tale signs of beavers are evident throughout the region, so be cautious not to disturb the local wildlife.
Every trip to this nature preserve is an adventure.
Liberty Park/Facebook Though some areas can be seasonally wet and, as a result, might seem somewhat bug-infested, this untouched sanctuary is always a delight. A great number of fascinating sights are native to this region, and you will adore the peaceful escape from reality that it provides.
What are you waiting for? Let’s go exploring!
Scott Smithson/Flickr
One of the best parts of life in Cleveland is the variety of adventures that the area offers. Though the urban regions are traffic-heavy and filled with the sounds of city life, there is always a nearby natural getaway that can provide healing moments of relief. For more Northeast Ohio adventures, check out these mesmerizing waterfalls.
Scott Smithson/Flickr
The state nature preserve and the creek for which it is named carves through Portage and Summit Counties.
Jason Morrison/Flickr
Swamps, marshes, and a plethora of wildlife are extraordinary features of this grand park.
Wood Ducks, Canadian Geese, and other species often nest amid this stunning greenery. Bring binoculars on your hike to get a close view without disturbing them.
John Potter/Flickr
Racoon, deer, and weasels are just a few of the critters that live in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for footprints, because the marshy conditions are just right to create traces of these animals.
Tim Evanson/Flickr
Native flowers and other Ohio plants grow in abundance in this untouched wonderland. The moist soils of the wetlands ensure that flowers remain bountiful throughout the summer months.
There are, however, several routes that remain dry throughout most of hiking season, such as the South Point Trail.
Along this route you will pass through a field and forest, then alongside the marsh. Tell-tale signs of beavers are evident throughout the region, so be cautious not to disturb the local wildlife.
Liberty Park/Facebook
Though some areas can be seasonally wet and, as a result, might seem somewhat bug-infested, this untouched sanctuary is always a delight. A great number of fascinating sights are native to this region, and you will adore the peaceful escape from reality that it provides.
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