Kelleys Island–North Pond State Nature Preserve

About North Pond State Nature Preserve
Located within Kelleys Island State Park, 1 mile north on Division Street from Water Street, then east on Ward Road .5 mile to the parking lot on the right. A boardwalk trail leads to an observation tower at the pond.

+ Lake Erie marsh
+ Excellent birding opportunities

North Pond is a nearly pristine wetland with a channel leading to Lake Erie at the North Bay on Kelleys Island. The pond was formed as the lake receded from its ancient shoreline.

North Pond represents one of the very few natural wetlands directly connected to Ohio’s “great lake,” which remains in a natural system. Virtually all of the wetlands in Lake Erie’s western basin have been impounded by dikes and are artificially controlled.

This aquatic ecosystem harbors a fascinating assemblage of plant and animal life, as many of these species may be viewed from the boardwalk.

A variety of plants including the endangered wapato, swamp rose mallow, bulrushes, pond-lilies and many other wetland species occur in the marsh.

Lake Erie is famous for the tremendous numbers of waterfowl migrating through in the spring and fall. A birder visiting North Pond during these seasons will be rewarded by sightings of numerous species of ducks and other water birds.
From North Pond State Nature Preserve webpage

Restrooms at locations identified on Kelleys Island State Park map.