About State Parks in Northwest Ohio

All state parks in Ohio are maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). They are also all free to enter, with no parking fees. Across the state, parks vary greatly in their landscape, facilities, and activities. The state parks in northwest Ohio include a range of landscapes, including the parks on the Lake Erie islands.

In this list, we are giving the addresses and contact details, the size of the park, and the facilities and activities available at each location. Please note that if you wish to fish or hunt, a license is usually required.

Map of State Parks in Northwest Ohio

Kelleys Island State Park

Situated on Kelleys Island, Erie County

• Address: 920 Division St, Kelleys Island, Ohio 43438
• Phone: 419-746-2546 | Website | Facebook

Catawba Island State Park

Situated in Port Clinton, Ottawa County

• Address: 4049 E Moore’s Dock Rd, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-734-4424 | Website

East Harbor State Park

Situated in Lakeside-Marblehead, Ottawa County

• Address: 1169 N Buck Rd, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio 43440-9610
• Phone: 419-734-4424 | Website | Facebook

Marblehead Lighthouse State Park

Situated in Marblehead, Ottawa County

• Address: 110 Lighthouse Dr, Marblehead, Ohio 43440
• Phone: 419-734-4424 | Website | Facebook
• Check out our article about Marblehead Lighthouse!

South Bass Island State Park

Situated on South Bass Island, Ottawa County

• Address: 1523 Catawba Ave, South Bass Island, Ohio 43456
• Phone: 419-285-2112 | Website 

Middle Bass Island State Park

Situated on Middle Bass Island, Ottawa County

• Address: 1965 Fox Rd, Middle Bass Island, Ohio 43446
• Phone: 419-285-0311 | Website 

North Bass Island State Park

Situated on North Bass Island, Ottawa County

North Bass Island is mainly undeveloped and is only accessible by private boat, charter, or aircraft. Boating, fishing, and hunting are available activities, and moors are available.

Camping is available, and there is the newly refurbished Lake House, a 4-bedroom rental for up to 12 guests.

The island is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts and birders.

• Address: North Bass Island, Isle St George, Ohio 43456
• Phone: 419-609-4124 | Website 

Oak Point State Park

Located on South Bass Island, Ottawa County

• Address: Bayview Ave, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456
• Phone: 419-285-2112 | Website

Maumee Bay State Park

Situated in Oregon, Lucas County

• Address: 1400 State Park Rd, Oregon, Ohio 43616
• Phone: 419-836-7758 | Website | Facebook

Harrison Lake State Park

Situated in Fayette, Fulton County

• Address: 26246 Harrison Lake Rd, Fayette, Ohio 43521
• Phone: 419-237-2593 | Website | Facebook

Mary Jane Thurston State Park

Situated in McClure, Henry County

• Address: 1466 State Route 65, McClure, Ohio 43534
• Phone: 419-832-7662 | Website | Facebook
• Check out our article about Mary Jane Thurston State Park!

Independence Dam State Park

Situated in Defiance, Defiance County

• Address: 27722 County Rd 424, Defiance, Ohio 43512
• Phone: 419-237-2593 | Website | Facebook

Van Buren State Park

Situated in Van Buren, Hancock County

• Address: 12259 Township Rd 218, Van Buren, Ohio 45889
• Phone: 419-832-7662 | Website | Facebook

Lake Loramie State Park

Situated in Minster, Auglaize County

• Address: 4401 Ft Loramie Swanders Rd, Minster, Ohio 45865
• Phone: 937-295-2011 | Website | Facebook

Grand Lake St Marys State Park

Situated in St Marys, Auglaize County

• Address: 834 Edgewater Dr, St Marys, Ohio 45885
• Phone: 419-394-3611 | Website | Facebook

Ohio State Parks

Check out our other regional lists of Ohio state parks:

• Central
• Northeast
• Southeast
• Southwest

Let’s Visit State Parks in Northwest Ohio!

Have you visited any of the 15 state parks in northwest Ohio? Which is your favorite? We would love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experiences with us.

For more things to do in northwest Ohio, check out our lists of things to do in Lima, Findlay, Sandusky, Toledo, and Port Clinton.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post State Parks in Northwest Ohio appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

Map of Rainy Day Things to Do

Indoor Playgrounds

Indoor playgrounds are designed to keep children amused in any weather conditions, too hot, too cold, or too wet, these are the places to take the kids for extreme fun!

Urban Air

Urban Air is an indoor trampoline park with so much fun for the kids and relaxation areas for the parents. There are nine Urban Air locations in Ohio with a variety of attractions, such as ziplining, rope climbing, and, of course, trampolines.

• Check out our article about Urban Air Dublin!

Open the drop-down list for all locations, addresses, and websites:

Scene75

Scene75 is an indoor entertainment center with four locations in Ohio. Attractions vary by location, but there is a games arcade, go karts, mini golf, and food options at all locations.

• Check out our article about Scene75 Columbus!

Open the drop-down box for a list of locations, addresses, and websites.

Acres of Fun

Acres of Fun is an indoor playground for the whole family to enjoy. Attractions include go-karts, bumper boats, spider jump, roller skating, batting cages, laser tag, mini golf, and much more. There is a restaurant with drinks, ice cream, nachos, hamburgers, pizza, etc.

• Address: 3889 Friendsville Rd, Wooster, Ohio 44691
• Phone: 330-345-4386 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center is open year-round with fun and games for all ages, including XD 4D theater, laser maze, escape room, VR gaming, bounce houses, and an open play area.

The haunted house is not recommended for children under 10 as it is truly scary!

• Address: 3319 Milan Rd, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-626-4467 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Jump & Jack’s

Jump & Jack’s main focus is on children aged 12 and under. There are toddler play areas for the younger ones, and inflatables for bouncing, climbing, sliding, and jumping. Jack’s Playground is a huge area featuring tunnels, fast slides, climbing structures, and more.

• Address: 7102 Office Park Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069
• Phone: 513-779-5867 | Website | Facebook

Dig ‘N Play

The Play Structure has a 4-lane racing slide, a zip line, and a see-through twisty slide. The Sand Table encourages kids to think, interact, and explore. A large selection of inflatables. Drinks, including coffee and wine, are available on-site.

• Address: 9405 Cincinnati Columbus Rd (Rt 42), West Chester, Ohio 45069
• Phone: 513-847-1055 | Website | Facebook

Museums

A selection of museums with interactive exhibits and learning activities can be found in Ohio. Make learning fun with a visit to any of these locations!

Dayton Airforce Museum

The National Museum of the US Air Force is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With interactive flight simulators and a lot of space-related exhibits, the kids will love to spend a morning or afternoon here!

• Address: 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, Ohio 45433
• Phone: 937-255-3286 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Check out our article about the Dayton Airforce Museum!

Castle Noel

Castle Noel is a year-round indoor Christmas museum in Medina. Experience the Blizzard Vortex, Santa’s Chimney Squeeze, and ride a slide. It snows inside, and you can see the 25-foot animated Christmas tree.

• Address: 260 S. Court St, Medina, Ohio 44256
• Phone: 330-721-6635 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Check out our article about Castle Noel!

Legoland Discovery Center

Legoland Discovery Center is in Columbus and is a full day of fun for all Lego-loving kids! With more than 12 attractions, Lego-building fun, and Lego characters to meet.

• Address: 157 Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio 43219
• Phone: 614-407-7721 | Website | Facebook | Instagram  

COSI – Center of Science and Industry

The Center of Science and Industry in Columbus has interactive exhibits with themes such as Energy Explorers, Gadgets, Life, and Ocean. There are event exhibits that are shown for a short time too. This is an educational and fun experience that can take up a full day.

• Address: 333 West Broad St, Columbus, Ohio 433215
• Phone: 614-228-2674 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Candyland Children’s Museum

Candyland Children’s Museum is aimed at younger kids. It has three floors of exhibits and activities such as a water table, a race track, a wind tube, and a ball track. There is an area specifically for babies, and so much more.

• Address: 202 Market St, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
• Phone:740-876-8987 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Indoor Water Parks

Indoor water parks are great fun year-round. We have picked out the two largest to feature here.

Kalahari Resort

Kalahari Resort is the largest indoor water park in the country and is based in Sandusky. Facilities include a spa for adults only, a lazy river, a toddler play area, a surf simulator, and a swim-up bar. There is also an arcade, an escape room, and a 7-D theater.

• Address: 7000 Kalahari Dr, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 877-525-2427 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge have two locations in Ohio. Each location has different attractions, but both are an ideal day out for the whole family. Each has dining options.

• Mason Address:  2501 Great Wolf Dr, Mason, Ohio 45040
• Phone: 800-913-9653 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Sandusky Address: 4600 Milan Rd, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 800-641-9653 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

More Indoor Fun

The two locations in this section simply do not fall into the above categories!

Alien Vacation Mini Golf

Alien Vacation Mini Golf is a blacklight 3D mini golf and sci-fi movie museum in Medina. Grab a ball and club and play 18 holes of freaky blacklight mini golf in 3D! Wear the 3D glasses to make it extra memorable as you explore an alien landscape. There are 12 different themes you will encounter, from a fair to the jungle, and so much more.

• Address: 260 South Court Street, Medina, Ohio 44256
• Phone: 330-721-1224 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Check out our article about Alien Vacation Mini-Golf!

Pins Dublin

Pins Mechanical Dublin is in the Bridge Park area and has duckpin bowling, arcades, Foosball, pinball machines, a huge Jenga, and more. Children are welcome here until 8 pm, when it becomes strictly adults only!

• Address: 6558 Riverside Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017
• Phone: 614-761-3933 | Website | Instagram
• Check out our article about Pins Dublin!

Let’s Go to Indoor Fun Locations!

Have you taken your children to any of these locations? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

We have a more comprehensive list of Indoor Playgrounds in Ohio, and Indoor Water Parks in Ohio. Our article about Ice Skating in Ohio has a list of indoor skating rinks, and Train Rides are a great way to spend rainy days! During the festive season, Drive Through Christmas Lights are evening family fun times.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Rainy Day Things to Do with Kids in Ohio appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

Coffee Express in Port Clinton is located on a corner, next to Veterans Park and opposite the post office.

The service is quick and professional, and although all the coffee options may not be on display, they will accommodate just about any request for your favorite.

The food is a selection of both savory and sweet quick bites, such as Turkey Bagels and Cranberry Muffins, and of course, Buckeyes!

The popularity of Coffee Express means there could be a long line, but service is quick, efficient, and friendly, so the wait won’t be too long.

If you are taking the Jet Express ferry to Put-in-Bay, grab your breakfast at Coffee Express for the journey!

The photo below shows just some of the drinks and food available. The menu changes quite often, so some of these items may not be available when you visit, but be sure that they will be replaced with something equally as delicious and tempting!

Indoor and outdoor seating options are available, and the ambiance is good in both areas.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Coffee Express Located?

• Address Port Clinton: 128 W 2nd St, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-734-2089 | Facebook

• Address Marblehead: 724 W Main St, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio 43440
• Phone: 419-702-7124

Location Map for Coffee Express

More to See in Port Clinton, Ohio

Have you visited Coffee Express? What did you order, and what did you think of it? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

Port Clinton is a great place to visit, with its proximity to Lake Erie and the Portage River. We have a round-up of Things to Do in Port Clinton. If you would like a guided tour of the area, Experience the Peninsula has you covered! A fun way to see the area is by renting a Moke for the day.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Coffee Express appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

Myla Marcus Winery produces local wines with grapes from Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

The Tasting Room is open Wednesday to Friday from 4 pm to 9 pm, and Saturday from 12 noon to 9 pm, although these hours change seasonally, so be sure to check they are open before you go.

The wine list includes:

A selection of mocktails, including:

• Midsommar
  – Guava Nectar, Lemon-Lime Soda, Cran-Raspberry Juice
• Nirvana
  – Passion Fruit, Lemon-Lime Soda, Cran-Raspberry Juice
• Nuka-Cola
  – Coca-Cola, Lemon-Lime Soda, Cran-Raspberry Juice
• Frederico
  – Cran-Raspberry Juice, Sparkling Cucumber Mint

A range of cocktails, including:

• Watermelon Paloma
  – Niagara, Watermelon, Cranberry, Lime
• American Pie
  – Niagara, Cider, Bubbly Water, Cinnamon
• Moscow Mule
  – Niagara, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer
• Tinto de Verano
  Rico Red, Lemon-Lime Soda

There is also a small selection of food samplers.

Myla Marcus also hosts events throughout the year. Check their Facebook page for any upcoming special evenings.

Taste flights of wine at the bar and purchase wine to bring home. The shop also offers locally made wine-related merchandise.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Myla Marcus Winery Located?

• Address: 133 S Main St, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
• Phone: 419-819-4243 | Facebook

Location Map for Myla Marcus Winery

More Wineries in Ohio

Have you visited Myla Marcus Winery? Which is your favorite Ohio winery? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

Would you like to discover more wineries? Check out our comprehensive list of Ohio Wineries. We have visited and reviewed some individual wineries you may be interested in, such as: Debonne Winery, M Cellars, Ferrante Winery, and Hocking Hills Winery.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Myla Marcus Winery appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

The food on the menu is sourced locally and seasonally, so the menu changes often.

The restaurant’s name is based on the concept that a fort is a place to retreat to, where you can rest and recharge. The 88 signifies Wyandot County being the 88th county in Ohio.

The kind of food you can expect to find on the lunch menu includes Fish Tacos, French Onion Soup, Steak Salad, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Burger of the Month.

The dinner menu may include Greek Chicken Salad, Zucchini Fritters, Grilled Lamb Chops, Salmon Power Bowl, and Fort 88 Burger.

On weekends, a brunch menu is available with dishes such as Waffles, Avocado Toast, Biscuits & Gravy, and Eggs Benedict.

There is a selection of cocktails, including a non-alcoholic ‘Citrus Breeze’. A wine menu, all of which can be purchased by the glass or by the bottle. The draft selection is rotating and includes cider, stout, and IPA.

Meal Service Hours:

• Lunch
  • Monday – Friday: 11 am – 5 pm
  • Saturday: 2 pm – 5 pm

• Dinner
  • Monday – Thursday: 5 pm – 9 pm
  • Friday – Saturday: 5 pm – 10 pm

• Brunch
  • Saturday & Sunday: 10 am – 2 pm

There are also a lot of events held at Fort 88. Check on their website or Facebook Page if you are interested in joining in the fun!

Where is Fort 88 Located?

• Address: 127 N Sandusky Ave, Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351
• Phone: 419-208-5625 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for Fort 88

Let’s Visit Fort 88!

Have you visited Fort 88? What did you order, and did you enjoy the food and the general atmosphere of the restaurant? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

I have visited some other restaurants in northwest Ohio. Check them out! Pipe Creek Wharf and The Maca Root.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Fort 88 appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

Pipe Creek Wharf features a lot of fish and seafood on their menu, which is not surprising considering their location on the shores of Lake Erie at Sandusky Bay.

You can visit this location by road or by lake; there are 28 transient docks available.

Live music is often held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons, with other events held throughout the year. The venue is available for group hire.

Note – this is a cashless-only business.

The menu offers dishes such as:

There is a large selection of wines and beers as well as seltzers and homemade cocktails and mocktails.

Pipe Creek Wharf is closed on Tuesdays. They close for winter, usually between December and May.

For current hours and menu items, visit the website.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Pipe Creek Wharf Located?

• Address: 2330 River Ave, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-502-1025 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for Pipe Creek Wharf

Let’s Visit Pipe Creek Wharf!

Have you dined at Pipe Creek Wharf? Did you sit outside and enjoy the views? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

Northwest Ohio has some amazing places to visit.

Our suggestions include Marblehead Lighthouse and Gilboa Quarry. For more ideas, check out Things to Do in Sandusky and Things to Do in Port Clinton. If you love lighthouses, you may be surprised at how many there are in northwest and northeast Ohio!

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Pipe Creek Wharf appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

The Maca Root offers a 100% gluten-free menu full of whole foods made with primarily organic, non-GMO, gluten-free ingredients. For anyone with a restricted diet, this is a safe place to eat and drink.

For current menu items, be sure to follow their Facebook page; they frequently update with seasonal goodness!

Below is a slideshow of the menus inside the café. Seasonal specials are shown on a separate board.

A 3-day healthy, gluten-free meal prep service called The Body Reset is available. You will receive a selection of:

In-store pick-up only.

The café is available for small events, up to 49 guests, including staff member, bathrooms, outdoor space, tables, and a lounge area. They also offer a catering service.

Perhaps this would be the perfect gift for someone you know. E-gift cards are available online.

Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is The Maca Root Located?

• Address: 216 E Water St, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-330-8636 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Location Map for The Maca Root

Let’s Visit Northwest Ohio!

Have you indulged at The Maca Root? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

We have a series of ‘Things to Do in…’ articles. Here are some of those articles that cover northwest Ohio:

• Things to Do in Sandusky
• Things to Do in Port Clinton
• Things to Do in Toledo
• Things to Do in Lima
• Things to Do in Put in Bay (complete tour guide)

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post The Maca Root Juice Bar & Eatery appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

Mull Covered Bridge was built by the Mull Sawmill with the help of a grant from the Sandusky County Commissioners for customers to be able to cross Wolf Creek to reach the mill.

The Town Lattice Truss bridge was closed in August 1962 after a new concrete arch bridge was built to carry vehicles across the creek.

The Sandusky County Historical Society approached the county commissioners to order its preservation, and the bridge was kept as a historic site and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The bridge was renovated in 1990 and re-renovated in 2015. Today, the bridge is maintained by the Sandusky County Park District.

Mull Covered Bridge is reservable, but parking is limited

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Mull Covered Bridge Located?

• Address: 1521 Co Rd 9, Fremont, Ohio 43420
• Phone: 419-334-4495 | Website

Location Map for Mull Covered Bridge

Let’s Visit Mull Covered Bridge!

Have you visited Mull Covered Bridge? How about any other covered bridges in Ohio? We’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

Do you love historical sites? If so, you may like these articles: Covered Bridges in Ohio, Indian Mounds in Ohio, Squire’s Castle, and Ohio Village.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Mull Covered Bridge appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

Situated at the tip of Marblehead Peninsula, a narrow strip of land that juts into Lake Erie, this is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. It has guided ships and boats safely along the rocky shores of the peninsula since 1822.

Visitors can climb the 77 steps to the top of the lighthouse during the summer season for amazing views across the Lake, with the islands in the distance. On a clear day, Cedar Point in Sandusky can also be seen.

Tours of the lighthouse are available every summer day from noon to 4 pm (at 20-minute intervals). Admission is nominal, and tickets are available onsite on the day of your visit.

The summer season is from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

The grounds around Marblehead Lighthouse offer excellent picnicking with scenic Lake views. Picnic tables and restrooms are available.

Be sure to stop by the replica lifesaving station with a museum of US Coast Guard activities, as well as the Keepers House with a gift shop.

The site is operated collaboratively between the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society.

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Where is Marblehead Lighthouse Located?

• Address: 110 Lighthouse Dr, Marblehead, Ohio 43440
• Phone: 419-734-4424 | Website (ODNR) | Website (Historical Society)

Location Map for Marblehead Lighthouse

More Things to Do in Northwest Ohio

Have you visited Marblehead Lighthouse? Did you get to see the views? We’d love to know! Share your experience in the comments below.

In northwest Ohio, there are plenty of Things to Do in Put in Bay, or maybe you’re planning to visit Port Clinton, Sandusky, or Toledo.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Marblehead Lighthouse appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.

About Morel Mushrooms

Morel mushrooms are not to everyone’s taste, they have an earthy, nutty flavor. But this variety is a premium find if you are a keen mushroom hunter!

The season is between four and six weeks, typically between March and May. There are four types of Morel mushrooms, the black Morel, the gray Morel, the yellow Morel, and the Bigfoots. Bigfoots are very rare and are up to 10 times the size of the other Morels. They appear late in the season.

Morel mushroom season starts in the south of Ohio and works its way north, so if you want to ‘chase Morels’, start in the south and move northward each week.

The best places to find Morels are at the base of dead trees, particularly ash and elm, under or beside fallen trees, under bark, and where there has been fire or flood.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has produced a series of four videos about Morel Mushrooms, from finding them to cooking them. Each one is shown below with the main points listed after the video.

Where to Find Morels and Identification

Main Points

• Normally associated with ash trees and elm trees, particularly dead ones. Also look at the bases of apple trees and Tulip Poplars.
• Beware of False Morels – they are poisonous! When you get your morels home, be sure to cut them lengthwise and make sure they are hollow in the middle.

Mushroom Hunting Tips

Main Points

• The date for Morel hunting is less important than what is in flower. When Redbuds, Violets, and Trilliums are in bloom, the mushrooms will be in peak season.
• It’s a good idea to wear long pants as you may encounter poison ivy, bugs, and/or snakes.
• Carry two bags with you. One is for morels you are sure of, and the other is for those that you’re not certain about, to keep them separate. The bags should be made of mesh (like onion bags) so the spores can fall through to the forest floor.

Finding and Picking Morels

Main Points

• Scan the area you are hunting in. If you spot a fallen tree, take a look. If nothing is immediately obvious, use a walking stick to gently move the leaves around to see if there are any mushrooms. If you find one, there will almost certainly be more.
• To pick the mushroom, pinch the base so that you don’t disturb the root and everything that is underground.
• Never ask another mushroom hunter where they found their hoard – they won’t tell you and it’s considered poor etiquette!

Preparing and Cooking Morels

Main Points

• Check your mushrooms are real and not false Morels. The cap should be attached to the stem all around, it doesn’t hang like a bell on the stem. Cut the mushroom lengthwise and make sure it is hollow. False Morels have white fibers along the center. ‘If it’s not hollow, don’t swallow!’
• To clean the mushrooms, use a spray bottle and spray over a bowl. You can then take the bowl of water that now has spores in it and pour it at the base of a tree in your yard, or a nearby tree if possible – you never know, you may have your own crop next year!
• There are many recipes out there for cooking Morels, such as this air fryer method. The mushrooms in this recipe are stuffed and breaded.

Morel Mushroom Hunting in State Parks

Many of Ohio’s State Parks, State Forests, and State Wildlife Areas allow mushroom hunting, but there are rules so you will need to contact the park office. One rule that applies to all parks is that you must stay on the trail, off-trail collecting is prohibited.

Many National Parks do not permit mushroom hunting. It is important to check with the park office if you wish to look for Morels in any of these parks.

Map of State-Run Locations

This map shows most of the State Parks (green icon), State Forests (orange icon), and State Wildlife Areas (red icon). If you click on any of the locations it will show the phone number of the office.

Let’s Go Morel Mushroom Hunting in Ohio!

Do you go mushroom hunting for Morels or any other varieties? Have you discovered them in any unusual places? We would love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience with us.

If you are the outdoor type, you may like spotting Ohio Wildflowers, Hawks in Ohio, Woodpeckers in Ohio, Hummingbirds, and Caterpillars. Be sure to know about the pesky Ticks in Ohio before you head out!

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at team@visitohiotoday.com, and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

The post Morel Mushrooms in Ohio appeared first on Visit Ohio Today.