Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve — Attraction in Ohio

I've visited Johnson Woods, both with and without my kids. Without kids, it is definitely more peaceful - I've found a good time to go is around 7am to listen to birds and have some solitude. However, quiet times can be found during the day as well. I went with my kids (4&7) early afternoon as a homeschool field trip and we essentially saw no one. We spent over 2 hours doing the larger 1 mile loop - we had to stop to talk about mushrooms and fungus (so many mushrooms), hickory nuts, watching squirrels and chipmunks, learning about how fall plants spread seeds...

There are several spots where there are explanatory markers for different environmental features. These are above 4 & 7 year old understanding as written, but can be translated to younger terms with basic environmental understanding.

The trail is a boardwalk and can be traversed by strollers and wheelchairs, though I imagine it would be difficult or impossible to pass if one of each were going opposite directions. There are benches at regular intervals where you can rest if you have mobility challenges or just want to relax, look around and listen for birds.

I think this nature preserve is worth a visit in multiple seasons.

Important note: Dogs are not allowed on the trail, this is an overall rule for all nature preserves in Ohio. Also, the parking area is across the street from the preserve. I'd advise significant care here, on more than one occasion I have seen vehicles travelling at a much higher speed than is appropriate for a...

MAKE NOTE - NO PETS ALLOWED AT THIS PARK Also, no bike riding.

The trails equal about a mile in length. Best parts: many old, tall, amazing trees in this old growth forest, spring flowers, fallen trees to play on, beautiful park, benches to sit and relax along the way. Swampy area that is un-touched and awesome.

Negatives: no pets allowed due to not wanting to spread illnesses to forest (understandable... please know this before going), no picnic tables to relax and have lunch after. You walk on a boardwalk the whole time. I would've rather connecting with the forest, but perhaps they do this to preserve the ground and so that wheelchairs can access the entire park, which is good. No bathrooms. Traffic sounds you can hear throughout the park basically from a distance and it smells of cow manure (or at least did when I was there in the Spring).

Additional notes: if you looking for a place to get a rigorous hike or run, do somewhere else. There are many people here and the boardwalk is awkward to run on. Despite the negatives, this 2-hour drive was worth it for me. Old growth forests are a gem and are always worth seeing.

I still give it 5 stars because Mother Nature always deserves 5 stars. The complaints are simply human wants that didn't...

I enjoy walking here, but it does have a few negatives. It's a nice, easy boardwalk trail and the woods are largely left alone, including trees laying where they fall and gorgeous swampy marshes staying as-is. The boardwalk is a bit narrow and sometimes awkward to pass other walkers, especially if they have strollers. If you have good hearing, you can hear the traffic on nearby roads from most areas of the park. Be aware that there are no bathrooms or porta-pots, and the boardwalk can sometimes be slippery, especially when covered in wet leaves.

There is a very clear sign indicating NO PETS are permitted, but I see at least one person walking a dog there every time I go. (This, of course, is not a reflection on the Preserve itself, but rather on people who think the rules don't apply to them.)

Overall, this is a nice place for a leisurely walk, but I would head somewhere else if I wanted a more rigorous hike or to feel "further out" from people...