Introduction
Ottawa County is home to several outdoor recreation destinations. As a way to highlight these destinations, the Park District of Ottawa County is teaming up with the Ottawa County Health Department to again offer the Outdoor Hiking Challenge program running September 3 – November 30, 2024.
Participants will earn an Outdoor Hiking Challenge Campfire Mug by hiking 9 out of 13 Ottawa County hiking destinations. Hikes will be self-guided and on the honor system. A series of Guided Walks will also be offered throughout the autumn season. Record your hikes on the log sheet (Guided Walks may also be recorded on the log sheet). Completed log sheets must be received by December 5, 2024, to earn your Campfire Mug. One entry per person. Campfire Mugs will be distributed December 17-19, 2024, from 10am-Noon and 1-3pm, at the Park District of Ottawa County office located at 3979 E Knoll Crest Drive, Port Clinton, 43452.
1.Scheeff East Point Preserve - Put-in-Bay Township Park District
Scheeff East Point Preserve – Put-in-Bay Township Park District (putinbayparks.com)
2.Meadowbrook Marsh - Danbury Township
Meadowbrook_Marsh_Map.pdf (danburytownship.com)
3.Great Egret Marsh Nature Preserve - The Nature Conservancy
Great Egret Marsh Preserve | The Nature Conservancy
4.Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Fox Unit - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fox Nature Preserve - Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (friendsofottawanwr.org)
5.Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve - Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve | Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ohiodnr.gov)
6.North Coast Inland Trail - Park District, Elmore, Genoa
North Coast Inland Trail – Ottawa County Parks (ottawacountyparksoh.org)
7.Portage River Fishing Access - Ohio Department of Natural Resources
ToussaintRiver-PortageRiver.pdf (ohio.gov)
8.Nature/Walking Trail, adjacent to Train Station, Central Avenue - Lakeside Chautauqua
Lakeside Chautauqua Ohio | Vacation & Travel (lakesideohio.com)
9.Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Marinewood Unit - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge | Visit Us - Locations | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | FWS.gov
10.Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk - Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area | Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ohiodnr.gov)
11.Clay Center Village Park - Village of Clay Center
- 24 Susan St., Clay Center, 43408
12.Waterworks Park - City of Port Clinton
Places and Attractions To See in Port Clinton - City of Port Clinton
13.Catawba Point Preserve - Catawba Island Township
Wednesday, September 4
3 - 5 p.m.
Waterworks Park, 205 E Perry St. in Port Clinton
Want to make a difference while hiking? Join park rangers from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for a trash pickup along the trail and the beach. Please bring water and meet at the lighthouse. Supplies such as gloves, bags, and trash pickers will be provided.
Saturday, September 7
1 - 2 p.m.
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Marinewood Unit in Port Clinton
Join a park ranger for a family-friendly guided (~2/3 mile) hike to learn about monarch butterflies and their migration. Meet at the Marinewood Unit on W State Route 163.
Sunday, September 8; Monday, October 14; Saturday, October 19; and Saturday, November 9
11 a.m.
Meadowbrook Marsh in Marblehead
Join Danbury Township Trustee Dianne Rozak for a low-impact one mile walk on paved trails throughout Meadowbrook Marsh. Meadowbrook is a State designated birding site and exhibits its own special beauty during every season of the year. Overflow parking is available on the grass at the main entrance. The walk will begin at the bottom of the main drive by the yellow information sign. Binoculars are recommended.
Friday, September 13
6 - 8 p.m.
Lakeside Daisy SNP in Marblehead
* Entry gate to glacial grooves area is 0.4 MI south of main preserve entrance on Alexander Pike. Roadside parking is available at both the main entrance and across from glacial grooves entrance
All are invited to enjoy a guided hike of the restricted-access area of Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve. ODNR – Division of Natural Areas staff will lead visitors to some of the most extensive glacial grooves and best preserved alvar habitat in northern Ohio. Join us for this exciting opportunity to experience the native landscapes and unique geological features that make this nature preserve something special to Ohio!
Attendance limited. Registration required. Registration opens September 5 via the Park District of Ottawa County Facebook Page.
Saturday, September 14
11 a.m. – Noon
Lakeside Chautauqua
Join us for a guided tour of Lakeside Chautauqua. A Lakeside Heritage Society volunteer will lead the tour of the grounds and historic district of Lakeside.
We will begin at Heritage Hall, 238 Maple Ave., Lakeside.
All are welcome!
Saturday, September 21
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Fox Unit in Oak Harbor
Join a park ranger for a family-friendly guided (~1 mile) hike to learn about monarch butterflies and their migration. Meet at the Fox Unit off of N Lickert-Harder Rd across Route 2 from the Visitor Center.
Wednesday, November 28
10 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Park in Genoa
Join Jannah Wilson, executive director of the Park District of Ottawa County, for a “turkey burner” walk along the North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT) at Veterans Memorial Park. Jannah will discuss this 75-mile multi-use trail and the progress being made to extend it.
Download Digital Outdoor Hiking Challenge Form
Forms are also available at:
Park District of Ottawa County Office
3979 E Knoll Crest Drive in Port Clinton
OR
Ottawa County Health Department
1856 E. Perry Street in Port Clinton.
Submission information
Submit your log sheet by texting a photo to (419) 635-8212, emailing a photo to shill@ottawacountyparksoh.org, or returning completed log sheet to the Park District of Ottawa County Office located at 3979 E Knoll Crest Drive in Port Clinton. One entry per person. Campfire Mugs will be distributed in December.
Partnering Agencies:
