It’s easy to fall in love with nature when you live in the Buckeye State. You could live here your whole life and still not explore all the state parks, nature preserves and metro parks that Ohio has to offer. Tucked away on the edge of Ohio’s scenic Hocking Hills, you’ll find Wahkeena Nature Preserve in Sugar Grove. It’s a little-known park Ohio explorers will fall in love with—and it’s worthy of your outdoor bucket list.

Welcome to Wahkeena Nature Preserve, a peaceful hideaway that’s arguably one of Ohio’s best kept secrets.

Andrea Holland/Google You’ll find it along Pump Station Road in Sugar Grove, Ohio.

Covering 150 acres and managed by the Fairfield County Parks, this state nature preserve is truly special.

greg cook/Google Because it’s a little-known nature preserve, it’s more quiet and peaceful than most frequently explored parks in Ohio.

Here, you’ll explore enchanted forests, beautiful wetlands, interesting rock formations, and rare plants and animals.

T D/Google Note: Pets, picnicking and fishing are prohibited. For more information about hours, policies and what you can expect to find here, visit the Wahkeena Nature Preserve website.

The Boardwalk Trail is especially beautiful. It’s a short trek that connects to multiple different trails within the preserve.

Richard lama/Google To view a map of the nature preserve’s trails in a separate tab or window, click here.

Before leaving, you’ll definitely want to explore the Nature Center if it’s open. It’s housed in a beautifully restored 1930s farmhouse.

Jason Wheeler/Google The Nature Center features an observation beehive, live animals and educational displays that showcase the history of the area.

And keep an eye out for wildlife, as this beautiful preserve is home to more than 100 species of birds and 35 species of mammals.

Elias Pschernig/Google Don’t forget your camera!

Have you ever explored Wahkeena Nature Preserve before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!

Andrea Holland/Google

You’ll find it along Pump Station Road in Sugar Grove, Ohio.

greg cook/Google

Because it’s a little-known nature preserve, it’s more quiet and peaceful than most frequently explored parks in Ohio.

T D/Google

Note: Pets, picnicking and fishing are prohibited. For more information about hours, policies and what you can expect to find here, visit the Wahkeena Nature Preserve website.

Richard lama/Google

To view a map of the nature preserve’s trails in a separate tab or window, click here.

Jason Wheeler/Google

The Nature Center features an observation beehive, live animals and educational displays that showcase the history of the area.

Elias Pschernig/Google

Don’t forget your camera!

For more little-known parks and nature preserves in Ohio, check out our previous article: Escape To These 16 Hidden Oases In Ohio To Find Peace And Quiet.

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Address: 2200 Pump Station Rd SE, Sugar Grove, OH 43155, USA