Kelleys Island State Park
920 Division St., 419.746.2546, 866.644.6727, parks.ohiodnr.gov
Kelleys Island State Park offers great Lake Erie views, easy access to the shoreline. Boating, fishing, birding, and wildlife watching are just a few of the park’s favorite activities across its 677 acres. Year-round, daily dawn-dusk.
North Pond State Nature Preserve
Ward Rd. (off Division St.), 614.265.6419, naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov
Containing a variety of rare plants and animals. Accessible via the trailhead at Ward Rd., opposite the parking lot. Consisting of 30 acres of wetlands with the estuary leading into Lake Erie, which is famous for the tremendous numbers of waterfowl migrating through in the spring and fall. A birder visiting North Pond during these seasons will be rewarded by sightings of numerous species of ducks and other water birds. To protect plant life, please remain on trails. No pets.
North Shore Alvar State Nature Preserve
920 Division St., 614.265.6419, naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov
The only undisturbed alvar community in Ohio. An alvar is bare rock such as limestone bedrock with unique plant life growing on and between the rock surfaces. The scouring motion of the waves and ice off Lake Erie maintains the alvar. Accessible via the North Shore Loop Trail within Kelleys Island State Park. To protect plant life, please remain on trails. No pets.
New to the scene is the American White Pelican. This species breeds and nests on low rocky outcroppings off the north shore of North Bass Island. If you have access to a boat, head north to see the hundreds of White Pelicans that can be found there in season. If you do not have a boat, flocks of birds can be seen soaring above Kelleys along the lakeshore.
