There's A Little-Known Nature Preserve Just Waiting For Cleveland Explorers
By Nikki Rhoades|Published October 18, 2023
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Cleveland is nicknamed Forest City, and it’s an appropriate moniker — there’s no shortage of trees and natural landscapes here! However, the surrounding suburbs make no secret of their own natural abundance. In some cases, the ‘burbs hide landscapes that are largely untouched by human influence, making them a raw and humbling site to visit. One of the very best state nature preserves near Cleveland, Aurora Sanctuary, is one such spot. Here, humans have hardly impacted the landscape, and natural life thrives. You won’t find any paved trails, but what Mother Nature has waiting for you is worth a bit of time in the rugged outdoors. Lace up your hiking boots and pack your binoculars, because this gorgeous hiking spot in Northeast Ohio beckons.
Out in Aurora, Ohio, there's a stretch of land that's hiding pure magic.
This beauty is a state nature preserve. While parks are built for entertainment, nature preserves are left largely undeveloped so natural life may flourish. We hikers are meant to be silent observers, leaving no traces of our presence beyond footprints.
This slice of paradise is Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve, a 165-acre second growth forest.
Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve is a must-visit destination for Clevelanders, as it's a gorgeous natural landscape that's unbeknownst to many hiking enthusiasts. This landscape is perhaps best known for its abundance of breeding and migrant birds, but it has so much more to offer... from rare plants to rare views of untouched, undeveloped land, the rugged nature preserve is an incredible hiking spot like no other. Plus, its beauty is unrivaled!
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The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland lists this as the oldest bird sanctuary in Ohio... the land to develop the site was purchased in 1941 by its predecessor, The Cleveland Bird Club.
Parts of the property once hosted a farm and pasture, and its original owners had bigger plans for the land. However, the Great Depression halted any dreams of development. Today, only about half the property is covered by trails, and the rest is left wild, untamed, and wholly natural for birds and other critters to enjoy.
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This secret spot in Northeast Ohio has several bodies of water, including four ponds and a number of tributaries.
The landscape has been lightly enhanced by mankind, like as with the addition of a dam in the 1950s. When beavers returned to the area, they further dammed and changed the waterways, giving power back to Mother Nature.
From spring flowers to autumnal hues, this landscape will take your breath away. There's endless beauty here, and about two total miles of hiking trails to explore on-site. All sorts of indigenous birds have been observed here, from hawks and owls to bald eagles.
All in all, the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland reports some 185 species of birds spotted here.
You never know what you're going to spot here, whether you're a tried and true birdwatcher or just the average nature enthusiast. Either way, though, you're in for a treat... this spot is one of the National Audubon’s Important Bird Areas, somewhere bird watchers from around the country and even globe are likely to visit. This spot is just one of 720 landscapes with such a title around the globe, a small portion of circa 330,500,000 protected acres.
And while the birds are a big draw for nature enthusiasts, there's so much more native Ohio life to discover here.
Plant life is abundant in the nature preserve, including endangered species like smaller fringed gentian flowers. There's so much to see that you never know what you might spot! It's plain to see why this landscape is protected and preserved, and its might and wonder will remind you to leave nothing but footprints behind.
There's nothing like visiting this stunning, breathtaking site in Aurora, Ohio.
While Clevelanders have more visible parks close to home, nature lovers simply must pay a visit to the nature preservevs near Cleveland to round out their hiking experiences. There's just so much to love about these landscapes... without development, native animals and migratory birds can't help but thrive here. The result is a dreamy and wondrous landscape that simply can't be rivaled.
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Pure magic awaits at Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve.
Navigate to 891 E Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH, 44202 to find this gorgeous untouched slice of paradise.
Aurora Sanctuary is arguably the very best state nature preserve near Cleveland, and it’s plain to see why! Gorgeous landscapes greet the eye everywhere it lands, and there’s no shortage of birdsong here. Have you ever visited this state nature preserve? Tell us about your experience in the comments, and share your favorite photos of the landscape if you have any!
Want to expand your time in Aurora? Budget some extra hiking hours and swing by Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve for more endless beauty.
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