Discover Ottawa County: Waterways, Nature and History

Ottawa County combines the landscape of Lake Erie with extensive wetlands, unique natural areas and a multifaceted history. Those planning a trip with varied daily activities will find hiking and cycling routes, paddling trails, birdwatching, lighthouse history and museums here. When choosing your holiday rental or holiday home, it is therefore worthwhile to first determine the focus of your trip: active days on the water, nature observation or cultural discoveries.

Wetlands, Protected Areas and Trails

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 9,700 acres of marshland, higher ground and forested wetlands that remain from the Great Black Swamp. The visitor centre car parks and hiking trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. This means that a stay in the protected area can be incorporated into your daily plans independently of the museum opening hours.

An unusual nature destination is Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve. It protects the only natural population of Lakeside Daisies in the United States. The 19-acre protected area is located on the site of a former limestone quarry; a short trail leads through the preserve, and there is also a car park. In Meadowbook Marsh on the Marblehead Peninsula, wooded areas, open meadows, marshland and open bodies of water meet. The 190-acre protected area lies near the shore of Sandusky Bay and offers hiking trails, a picnic area and a wildlife observation platform.

For birdwatching, four trails are open in the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, including the Magee Marsh Bird Trail, also known as the boardwalk. East Harbor State Park adds the 1.5-mile Wetland Trail, rated as easy, as well as a marina. This allows you to choose between longer days in nature and a shorter trail.

Waterways and Cycling Routes

The Portage River Water Trail runs for a scenic 36 miles through Ottawa County and drains into Lake Erie. Several access points are designated for paddling sports. The Lake Erie Beach Access has a launch marker from Jefferson Street at the Waterworks Park public car park in Port Clinton. Those who prefer to travel on land can include the nearly 100-mile North Coast Inland Trail in their plans. The multi-use route runs from Lorain to Genoa through four counties; in Ottawa County, it runs from the border with Sandusky County northwest through Elmore to Genoa. The trail is also part of US Bike Route 30.

Lighthouse, Museums and History

Marblehead Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes that has remained in continuous operation. The grounds are home to the Keeper's House Museum and the Lifesaving Station Museum. There are also picnic facilities and views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island.

The Ottawa County Museum presents exhibitions on the Battle of Lake Erie, boatbuilding, nature, agriculture, commercial fishing, early settlers, Native Americans, early clothing and children's toys. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is open Tuesday through Thursday from 12 to 3 p.m., and during the rest of the year on Wednesdays from 12 to 3 p.m., as well as by appointment. The History Mystery Ottawa County America 250 Tour is a self-guided tour of historic sites, attractions and local stories. On Johnson's Island, the Confederate Stockade Cemetery is the only publicly accessible site; the site of the Johnson's Island Civil War Prison was designated a National Historic Landmark in June 1990.

The Right Base for Your Trip

If you are planning a holiday rental in Ottawa County, you can base your choice of accommodation on your preferred mix of nature, water and history. For a trip with a changing pace, longer routes, short trails, museums and viewpoints can be combined without limiting your stay to just one activity. Other destinations for your trip planning include Port Clinton and Put-In-Bay. The wider navigation menu also includes Erie County, Lawrence, Wayne, Adams County, Greene and Highland County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ohio.