With the onset of winter, getting bundled up and spending time outdoors takes extra time, effort and motivation. Here in Sandusky County, our Northwest Ohio location combined with our proximity to Lake Erie gives plenty of reasons to get motivated to explore our county and take in an adventure or two!
The crowded parks and trails from just a few months ago are suddenly eerily quiet. Snow covered trails offer new opportunities to explore our parks from a whole new perspective. While our parks are open year-round for hiking, we do suggest at least 2 inches of snow for cross-country skiing. Popular locations include: White Star Park in Gibsonburg, Creek Bend Farm in Lindsey, Blue Heron Reserve in Vickery, Wolf Creek Park and River Cliff Park in Fremont. The North Coast Inland Bike Trail spans the entire county and continues across the state, offering almost endless trails, perfect for cross-country skiing.
What can visitors expect to find on our wintery trails? With the decreased number of human visitors to our parks and trails, wildlife and birds are gathering in mass. Bald Eagles are often seen, especially along the Sandusky River and Sandusky Bay. The absence of tree foliage offers better visibility of the rural landscapes as well as the woodland creatures.
Sandusky County and Ottawa County recorded the largest number of bald eagle nests across Ohio with 142 nests between the counties according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources 2020 nest census. The Sandusky County Park District Systems Blue Heron Reserve is part of the Lake Erie Birding Trail and is one of the best locations to spot a Bald Eagle.
No visit to Sandusky County would be complete without a stop at historic Mull Covered bridge, located at 1515 County Road 9 in Fremont. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this “town lattice” truss type bridge is one of the last remaining covered bridges in Northwest Ohio. Built in 1851 by the Henry Mull family, the bridge allowed for safe access for trade to the Mull Mill. The bridge was open to traffic until 1962 when the road was diverted and a new bridge constructed.
When you are done exploring our trails by ski or on foot, you will most certainly be ready for a hot meal and maybe even a cold beer at one of our many local establishments. Downtown Fremont offers choices from American Pub to Irish and Italian and there is a full list of local eateries on our website at sanduskycounty.org/eat. If your adventure goes into the after hours, we have clean, affordable lodging that can offer you a place to rest and recharge for a second day of exploring. See sanduskycounty.org/stay.
Ready for a visit? Find out more about our parks at lovemyparks.org or about our attractions and county at sanduskycounty.org.
From Winter Blues to Snowshoes in Sandusky County
