Outdoor Fun in Any Season in Remarkable Lake County
No matter what time of year you visit, Lake County is jam-packed with experiences that help you connect to nature.
Summer Beach Days and Canopy Walks
The summer sun beckons many people to Lake County’s beautiful beaches. Headlands Beach State Park is the longest stretch of natural sand beach in Ohio, and the adjacent Headland Dunes State Nature Preserve is also an important habitat for sea birds. Lake Erie Bluffs and Lakeshore Reservation offer secluded beachy coves and excellent sea glass hunting.
At 3,600 acres, Holden Arboretum in Kirtland is one of the largest arboretums and botanical gardens in the United States — 19 miles of trails traverse various ecosystems and gardens. Lace up your shoes before climbing the 120-foot tall Kalberger Emergent Tower, which offers panoramic views all the way to Lake, then head over to the 500-foot-long Murch Canopy Walk and hang out amongst the treetops on an elevated walkway 65 feet above the forest floor. [MK2] Back on the ground, Holden Arboretum’s botanical collection includes more than 10,000 plant species. Its rhododendron collection is a particular standout.
Winter Sports
When winter rolls around, snow is abundant in Lake County, especially in the higher elevations at the southern edge of the county. That means the immense Lake Metroparks system becomes a haven for cross country skiers, snowshoers and winter hikers. Chapin Forest Reservation in Kirtland is home to 6 miles of groomed snow trails, with skis and snowshoes available to rent at the park’s Pine Lodge Ski Center. Holden Arboretum is another great spot where snowshoes can be rented for daily use.
Adventurous anglers can take to the Grand and Chagrin rivers and Arcola Creek from December through March and try fly-fishing for steelhead trout. These 2-foot monsters put up quite a fight, so come prepared (and with a valid fishing license.) [MK1]
Springtime Wildflowers and Birding
Spring brings blooms of all kinds to Lake County’s unique ecological landscape. Between April and June, find spring ephemerals like Ohio’s state flower, the trillium, spring beauty and the trout lily. From mid-April to mid-May, explore carpets of bluebells at both Indian Point Park in Painesville and Hogback Ridge Park in Madison.
The marshes and beaches of Lake Erie are vitally important staging grounds for migratory birds as they make their way north from their winter homes. Lake County is home to three parks designated as Important Bird Areas by Audubon Ohio — Chagrin River Park, Hell Hollow Wilderness Area and Girdled Road Reservation. Lake Erie Bluffs Park features a 50-foot observation tower with sweeping vistas over the coastline. Spot loons and bald eagles in March, sparrows and warblers in April and orioles and tanagers in May.
Fall Color and Scenic Rivers
Fall brings brilliant reds, oranges and yellows to the maple-beech-birch forests of Lake County, and the temperate weather makes it the perfect season for a rugged hike. The 981-acre Hell Hollow Wilderness Area is alive with foliage and offers stunning views across the park’s densely forested, 100-foot-deep glacial ravine. Hogback Ridge’s Hemlock Loop trail bursts with golden leaves in mid-October. Chagrin River Park’s varied habitats bring forest and riparian tree species together for spectacular fall colors.
Another way to make the most of autumn’s splendor is to see it by canoe or kayak. Even during dry years, the fall foliage is often most spectacular in the river bottoms and flood plains of the Grand and Chagrin rivers. Both rivers form deep gorges, with sandstone and shale cliffs adding to the natural beauty. A popular paddle on the Chagrin River starts at North Chagrin Reservation and ends seven miles downstream at Daniels Park. A Grand River route often casts off below Harpersfield Dam and ends either at Hidden Valley Park for a moderate eight-mile paddle or Indian Point Park for a longer challenge. Canoe rentals are available on both rivers.
