Little Known Natural Oasis In Ohio Oak Openings

What do sand dunes, wildflowers, and evergreen trees have in common? Oak Openings Metro Park.

Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony—and it will truly make you feel like you’re not in Ohio anymore.

The park has a tendency to make visitors feel as if they’ve temporarily traveled to another state or different part of the world.

Matt Taylor/Flickr

Be sure to take the Evergreen Trail. It’s an enchanting experience that will likely leave you mesmerized, no matter the season.

Holly Elchert

And in spite of the multiple bodies of water within the park (formed from a melting glacier)…

Roger Spurgeon/Flickr

….sand dunes (that regularly shift with the wind) continue to thrive nearby. The oak-covered savanna with sporadic sand dunes creates a truly interesting environment you have to see to believe.

Benny Mazur/Flickr

You’’ll likely see some plants and other wildlife you’ve never seen before here. (Pictured is a Brown Hooded Owlet Caterpillar.)

Benny Mazur/ Flickr

Oak Openings is also located on the main path for seasonal bird migration, and bird watching is a popular activity here. (So be sure to bring your camera.)

Kathy1006/Flickr

The park covers a total of 4,000 acres and features more than 30 miles of well-marked hiking trails. The diverse terrain is clearly mapped out, ready for exploration.

Screen shot via metroparkstoledo.com

The Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is located in Swanton and operated by Metroparks of the Toledo Area. It’s a true hidden gem not far from the hustle and bustle of the city.