COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is offering several fun and free events in November. With the busy holiday season quickly approaching, make sure to schedule some time to get outside and enjoy nature. Ohio’s state parks, state nature preserves and state forests are free for people to visit.
• National Take a Hike Day – On Friday, Nov. 17, make sure to visit a favorite Ohio state park, nature preserve, forest or wildlife area for National Take a Hike Day!
• Mammals of Ohio at Burr Oak State Park – Join the Burr Oak State Park naturalist for a close-up look at common Ohio mammals by examining their furs and skulls. This will be held on Friday, Nov. 17, in the lodge lobby from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Call the park office at 740-767-3570 for more information.
• Water Wise at Shawnee State Park – Acquire new skills or brush up on old ones with Shawnee’s naturalist at the lodge indoor pool at Shawnee State Park on Nov. 18 and 25 at 10 a.m. Paddling, nautical knots and water safety are the themes of this fun water program. Bring a bathing suit and prepare to get wet. Call the park office at 740-858-6652 for more information.
• November Hike at Burr Oak State Park – Cooler temperatures, the crisp sound and smell of leaves under your feet–it’s hiking time! Come for our November Hiking Series and experience the season of autumn in the park. Meet at the nature center on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. The hike will be 3 miles long. Call the park office at 740-767-3570 for more information.
• Archery at Shawnee State Park – Join the park’s naturalist at the nature center archery range on Nov. 18 and 25 at noon to sharpen your shooting skills for the long fall and winter hunting season. Bows and arrows will be provided. Call the park office at 740-858-6652 for more information.
• Trail Trek at Shawnee State Park – Explore a new trail with a naturalist each week in November at Shawnee State Park. We may hike on the backpack trail, in the park or at the Edge of Appalachia preserve, depending on the size and skill level of the group. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes and pack water and snacks. Meet at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 and 25 for the trail trek. No one will be left behind. Call the park office at 740-858-6652 for more information.
• Gobble, Gobble! at Lake Hope State Park – It’s turkey time at the nature center at Lake Hope State Park! Join us on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. to learn all about the life of a turkey, including how they use their creatively named body parts. Call the nature center at 740-596-3030 for more information.
• Naturalist Program at Salt Fork State Park – Meet at the shelter house near campground check-in at Salt Fork State Park on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. for this weekly program offered by the naturalist, with the topic changing each week. Call the park office at 740-439-3521 for more information.
• Outdoor Knot Tying at Salt Fork State Park – Meet at the activity room in the lodge at Salt Fork State Park on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m. and learn practical outdoor knots. Call the park office at 740-439-3521 for more information.
• Birdseed Basics at Lake Hope State Park – People can learn to use the right foods to keep their backyard birds healthy and happy all winter long. Learn how to attract specific species and make your own take-home bird feeder. Meet at the nature center on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. Call the nature center at 740-596-3030 for more information.
• Morning Hike at Salt Fork State Park – Meet at the Gunn’s Glenn Trailhead (near the A-loop shower house in the campground) for a 2-mile hike at Salt Fork State Park on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. This hike is weather dependent, hikers should dress for the weather. Call the park office at 740-439-3521 for more information.
• Turkey Trot at Hueston Woods State Park – Hueston Woods State Park will be offering the Turkey Trot, a 3-mile hike, on Sunday, Nov. 19. Participants should meet at the nature center at 1 p.m., and we will caravan to the trailhead. Call the park office at 513-523-6347 for more information.
• Woody Plant Identification Hike at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve – Join us on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. for a hike at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve that will feature identifying characteristics of woody vegetation found at this preserve. Fall is an ideal time to learn to identify trees, shrubs and the calcareous soils of the gorge that support a diverse community of plants. Sturdy footwear is recommended for this moderately strenuous hike. Hikers should meet at the nature center, which is south of the main parking lot at 2381 State Route 343, Yellow Springs, 45387. For more information on this hike, contact the preserve manager, Michelle Comer, at michelle.comer@dnr.state.oh.us or 937-537-6173.
• Wildcat Cave Hike at Lake Hope State Park – Take a .75-mile hike on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. to see one of Lake Hope State Park’s hidden gems, a large recess cave and discover the geological processes at work. Meet the naturalist at Grouse Point. Wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers. Call the nature center at 740-596-3030 for more information.
• Oh, Deer! at Lake Hope State Park – Rather be outside hiking instead of shopping on Black Friday? Then join us as we attempt to catch a glimpse of white-tailed deer on a 2-mile walk at Lake Hope State Park on Friday, Nov. 24, at 4:30 p.m. Meet at the Hope Furnace. Call the nature center at 740-596-3030 for more information.
• Nature Programs at Wingfoot Lake State Park – We will be offering three different nature programs at the nature center at Wingfoot Lake State Park on Saturday, Nov. 25. Join us at 11 a.m. for a presentation on Ohio’s woodpeckers. Meet at 2 p.m. to learn about beavers, and then join us at 4 p.m. for a presentation on frogs. Call the park office at 330-628-4720 for more information.
• Winter Adaptations at Salt Fork State Park – Meet at the lodge at Salt Fork State Park on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 4 p.m. in the lodge activity room to learn about the way animals survive during the winter. Call the park office at 740-439-3521 for more information.
• Snowbird Hike at Salt Fork State Park – Meet at Morgan’s Knob Loop Trail parking lot at Salt Fork State Park on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. for a winter bird hike. Hikers should dress for the weather. Call the park office at 740-439-3521 for more information.
To learn more about family-friendly events at Ohio’s state parks and state nature preserves, go to parks.ohiodnr.gov/calendar or naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/calendar.
Getting outdoors is an ideal way to relieve stress and boost mood levels. The Explore Ohio initiative is aimed at encouraging people to exercise outdoors and become healthier in the process. Participants can log their miles, share their photos and create friends groups on the Explore Ohio website at ExploreOh.com. Whether people are running, hiking, biking, climbing, walking or paddling, Ohioans can keep track of their progress at ExploreOh.com and share their adventures on social media using #ExploreOhio. After reaching 100 combined miles of activity on the site, each registered user will receive an email with a certificate good for 15 percent off camping at any Ohio State Park.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.