Visiting Toledo’s Metroparks – A Cleveland Day Trip
Visiting Toledo’s Metroparks is only a 2-hour drive from Downtown Cleveland, Ohio making it a perfect destination for a Cleveland Day Trip. While Cleveland has many of its own Metropark systems, we found Toledo’s to be a unique experience. This set of Metroparks ended up on my radar after seeing some amazing photographs of “The Spot”, a dense forest of trees whose extremely tall trunks make for some extraordinary photographs. There is a string of Metroparks in the Toledo area and we only had time to visit four of them and fit in what seemed like the most fun aspect of each park. Their website gives you some great information so you can determine which parks are for you.
Adding a “Day Trips from Cleveland” series has been on my to-do list for the blog since it started. With the current state of the world and social distancing still being in effect, vacations just have to wait until it’s safer. In the meantime, day trips are a perfect substitute and easy ways to still stay safe and distant while enjoying yourself.
Fun Fact: The Nature Conservatory dubbed Oak Openings Preserve as one of “America’s Last Great Places” due to its globally rare ecosystem.
Oak Openings Preserve Metroparks
"The Spot"
Oak Openings Preserve is about 5,000 acres of forest, wetland, and sand dunes with a huge bird population, 50 miles of trails, and the stunning and unique patch of pine and spruce trees known as “The Spot”, a favorite location for amazing photographs. When you first enter “The Spot” you will notice a trail dividing the unique section of trees from the more common trees within the park. You can tell that “The Spot” is going to be something special already and as you walk through the trees you’ll soon be surrounded with 360 degrees of incredible views. Look up, the tree tops are where you’re going to find the branches and it’s almost as if they don’t touch giving you a crazy view that makes you feel very small.
Look up! Get a worm's eye view of these amazing treetops for the iconic view Oak Openings is known for. I had fun experimenting with different zooms and exposures. I landed on this exposure that I was able to adjust in Adobe Lightroom to pull in the color and lightness of the trees and bring back the sky detail.
These pines, spruce, and fir trees are not local to Oak Openings, they were planted between the 1930s-1970s in the attempt to stop erosion and produce timber. Unfortunately due to old age, environmental stressors, and having been planted too closely many of these beautiful trees are reaching the end of their life. This means many patches of these trees need to be removed for safety. These non-native evergreens are suppressing environments that would provide crucial wildlife habitats. All such a bummer when you see how incredible the trees look.
FYI: This region is known for having well over 100 state-listed rare plants, the greatest number in Ohio! Some rarities include Prickly pear cactus, Wild Lupine, Spatulate-Leaved Sundew, Gaywings, and several species of orchids. Visiting Toledo’s Metroparks will take you to a very bio-diverse park system.
Learn more about the globally rare Oak Openings Preserve
The Spot, Oak Openings Preserve
Oak Openings “The Spot”, Swanton, OH 43558
Use your map apps to find “The Spot” within Oak Openings Preserve.
Some street parking available
Mallard lake
After visiting “The Spot” we decided to check out nearby Mallard Lake. It was Memorial Day weekend so the park was pretty packed in several areas but we still felt safe to walk around as there was plenty of space. We took a stroll around the Mallard Lake Loop trail and walked over the small bridges. There was plenty to see and do at this lovely little stop. Picnic tables, an event center, and plenty of green space, hiking trails, and beautiful scenery to make a great visit.
Mallard Lake, Oak Openings Preserve
Mallard Lake, Whitehouse, OH 43571
Ample parking available
Picnic areas available
Sand Dunes
So, we didn’t end up in the sand dunes that look like you’re on the beach as we used our map app to find the sand dunes and it took us to the ones near the intersection of Reed Road and Wilkins Road. Where you really want to go is closer to “The Spot” and can be accessed off of Girdham Road where the red Sand Dunes Trail is. The area we ended up in had some sandiness to it, but it definitely didn’t give you the sand dune feeling.
Sand Dunes, Oak Openings Preserve
Sand Dunes, Whitehouse, OH 43571
Street parking available
What to do nearby while visiting Toledo's Metroparks
While visiting Toledo’s Metroparks, we practiced social distancing and did not stop at many places outside of the park. Here is a list of some places that looked like they’d be great to visit that are near this Metropark.
Eat & Drink:
Chitter Chatter Ice Cream 8144 Airport Hwy, Holland, OH 43528
We got slushies at this little ice cream spot
Rudy’s Hot Dog 7170 Orchard Centre Dr, Holland, OH 43528
Shop & Visit:
Maumee Antique Mall 1552 S Reynolds Rd, Maumee, OH 43537
Great Finds in Maumee 1414 S Reynolds Rd, Maumee, OH 43537
Copper Moon Studio 8007 Airport Hwy, Holland, OH 4352
Swan Creek Preserve Metroparks
From the parking lot, you can take the Red Trail which leads you to a fun little attraction called the Swan Creek Swinging Bridge. This was a really fun spot where the bridge was more bouncy than swingy. Lots of beautiful trees and bird songs and the relaxing sound of rushing water as you cross Swan Creek. A fun little stop and worth the stop when visiting Toledo’s Metroparks.
Looking for another park to visit in Ohio? Check out Cuyahoga Valley National Park and my post on hiking the ledges.
Mix in detail shots with your landscape photos. The peeling layers of bark made for a really compelling image to me. It's really cool to see such detail in nature.
Swan Creek Preserve Metroparks
4659 Airport Hwy, Toledo, OH 43615
Parking lots available
Middle grounds Metroparks
Try to get the environment around the park in your shots. If it's in the city, including the industrial buildings and bridges give context to the location and add a mood to the scene.
While visiting downtown Toledo’s Middle Ground Metroparks you’ll find yourself right in the city itself. This isn’t really a huge park-like the others but there are some nicely landscaped areas to enjoy along the Maumee River with a sweeping view of the Anthony-Wayne bridge and downtown Toledo.
Middlegrounds Metropark
111 Ottawa St, Toledo, OH 43604
Parking lots available
What to do nearby while visiting Toledo's Metroparks
While visiting Toledo’s Metroparks, we practiced social distancing and did not stop at many places outside of the park. Here is a list of some places that looked like they’d be great to visit that are near this Metropark.
Eat & Drink:
Maumee Bay Brew Pub 27 Broadway St, Toledo, OH 43604
This giant brewery houses several venues on its property. A brewpub, Rockwell’s Steakhouse, Mutz Sports Bar, a cafe, The Oliver House private events space, and a brewing hall of fame and museum. A little something for everyone.
Spaghetti Warehouse 42 S Superior St, Toledo, OH 43604
I love this place! We used to have one in Cleveland where you could eat inside a trolly car.
Rustbelt Coffee 119 N Ontario St, Toledo, OH 43604
Looks like a cute trendy spot
Shop & Visit:
Toledo’s Farmers Market (Sat/Sun) 525 Market St, Toledo, OH 43604
Gathered Glassblowing Studio 23 N Huron St, Toledo, OH 43604
Libbey Glass Factory Outlet 205 S Erie St, Toledo, OH 43604
Howard Marsh Metroparks
Keep an eye out for fun details like this arch over the wooden trail. Makes for great photographs and helps you place the location later on.
The evening was creeping in as we made our way to the last Metroparks of our trip. Howard Marsh is a wetland and bird watchers paradise. Very close to the shores of Lake Erie, this marsh has some really cool wooden trails and bridges built out so you can walk all over and relax, watch birds, and take some pretty photos.
The wind blowing the tall grass and making ripples in the water affected the reflections in a fun way. Wind blowing is an easy way to get a unique perspective on a landscape image you're shooting.
Howard Marsh Metroparks
401-621 S Howard Rd, Curtice, OH 43412
Parking lots available
Visit the Toledo Metroparks website to plan your trip today!
So, there you go! This was a fun trip and exploring a new area made us feel like we were on vacation. There are several other parks we didn’t even have time to explore but we felt these gave us a nice preview of the beautiful Toledo Metroparks system.
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Sara
Looks like a great spot to visit with a lot to do!