Sandy Ridge Reservation

Sandy Ridge Reservation

6195 Otten Road North Ridgeville, Ohio 44039

Official Website
Sandy Ridge Reservation map

Also, see all the hotspots at:
Black River Mouth Important Bird Area
Lorain County Birding Drive

Tips for Birding

Sandy Ridge is a 310 acre wetland and wildlife preserve, divided almost equally between forest, meadow and marsh. A favorite of naturalists and bird watchers, Sandy Ridge has over 100 bird species on its breeding list and is rich in other wildlife as well. The reservation also offers a small day-use area with outdoor playground, picnic tables and visitor’s center with two lush ponds spanned by a footbridge. So bring your binoculars or just come as you are to one of North Ridgeville’s best-kept secrets!

The main trail entrance at the Johnson Wetland Center leads you through a wooded section, after which you’ll emerge onto the large, open marsh area (the trail is two miles long overall). This is the most prominent feature of the park, full of wildlife, and includes an interpretive area near its center. More of a preserve area, traffic is limited to hikers, wheelchairs, and strollers.

For those unable to make the hike back to the marsh, there are tram rides provided on Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the summer months. Call ahead for tram hours.

At the other parking lot and picnic area (right next to the picnic shelter) you can take a one-mile unimproved trail that runs through the large meadow at the north end of the reservation.

From Elyria: Take Center Ridge Rd (US-20) east to Case Road (across from old Ridgeview Shopping Center). Turn left onto Case Road, then turn right onto Otten Road. Drive about a mile to the park entrance.

From Avon, Avon Lake: Take OH-254 west to Case Road and turn left onto Case Road. Take Case Road to Otten Road. Turn left onto Otten Road and Drive to the park entrance.

From Lorain: Take OH-57 south to OH-254 and turn left (east). Take SR 254 to Case Road and turn right (south). Take Case Road to Otten Road and turn left onto Otten Road. Drive to the park entrance.

Summer Hours
8am – Sunset daily
April 1st – October 31st

Winter Hours
8am – 4:30pm daily
November 1st to March 31st

There are two paved parking areas: The Johnson Wetland Center and the picnic shelter area.

No pets allowed. Many opportunities to learn more about birding through hikes and programming are provided here.

Depending on the season, it can be helpful to carry a scope on this hike to view birds at a distance on the Marsh Loop. There is a small wooden viewing platform along the southern portion of the Marsh Loop Trail.

Sandy Ridge Reservation is a stop on the Lake Erie Birding Trail.

Birds of Interest

Winter
Birds of prey.
Spring
Warblers, wading birds, waterfowl, some shorebirds, Least and American Bitterns, Bald Eagles, and Sandhill Cranes have made this reservation home in recent years.
Summer
Waterfowl, wading birds, birds of prey, summer songbirds, Least, and American Bitterns.
Fall
Waterfowl, fall migrants, and some shorebirds.

About this Location

Sandy Ridge Reservation is a 310-acre wetland and wildlife preserve located in North Ridgeville. The park opened in 1999 and has quickly become a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts and one of the most popular parks for birding in Lorain County. The reservation lies on level, soggy ground flanked to the north and south by ancient beach ridges and consists of forests and open lands to explore.

The trail that begins at the Johnson Wetland Center enters into the “wet woods” section of Sandy Ridge. The pin oak and red maple dominated forest is also home to a great variety of wildflowers and ferns. Spring amphibian songs are not to be missed also!

After the woods, the trail opens into the wetlands area of Sandy Ridge. Wetland and wildlife enthusiasts will find few areas in Lorain County to compare to Sandy Ridge. The dike-enclosed restoration area supports expansive marsh habitats along with open water and scrub/shrub wetlands. A graveled loop trail topping the dikes offers long views across the wetland for both wildlife and bird watching. Waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds, in particular, can be abundant. Stop by the observation mound for an elevated view of the marsh area as well. Tram rides are scheduled every weekend during summer months for those unable to make the hike back to the marsh. Because this area is more “nature preserve” than a park, please leave your bicycles and pets behind. Fishing is not permitted, at this reservation.

You can also enjoy the Wet Meadow with a hike around a one-mile unimproved trail which begins by the larger picnic shelter. This trail is open to pets kept on a hand-held leash. The Marsh Loop Trail is closed to pets.

Sandy Ridge opened to the public in 1999. While the area was originally a wetland (hydric soils and vegetation types are evidence of this) it had been drained and used as farmland for many years. Then, after sitting fallow for several years again after that (during which time it began to revert to a wetland) it was purchased by Lorain County Metro Parks in 1990.

Construction took two years and required a great deal of architectural planning, earth moving (to create the raised trail system, for example), seeding areas, creating paths and putting up signage. After construction on the wetland area was completed, it was left untouched for a year while construction proceeded on the front or “public” end of the park. During this time, wildlife species began to repopulate the marsh on their own. In fact, new arrivals are still appearing every year, even those that are endangered such as bald eagles.

Notable Trails

Sandy Ridge Trails
Most birders walk the Wet Woods Trail from the visitor center and circle the Marsh Loop.

Wet Woods Trail – .5 mile – gravel
The trail that begins at the Johnson Wetland Center enters into the “wet woods” section of Sandy Ridge. The pin oak and red maple-dominated forest is also home to a great variety of wildflowers and ferns. Spring amphibian songs are not to be missed also!

Marsh Loop – 1.2 miles – gravel
After the woods, the trail opens into the wetlands area of Sandy Ridge. Wetland and wildlife enthusiasts will find few areas in Lorain County to compare to Sandy Ridge. The dike-enclosed restoration area supports expansive marsh habitats along with open water and scrub/shrub wetlands. A graveled loop trail topping the dikes offers long views across the wetland for both wildlife and bird watching. Waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds, in particular, can be abundant. Stop by the observation mound for an elevated view of the marsh area as well. Tram rides are scheduled every weekend during the summer months for those unable to make the hike back to the marsh. Because this area is more “nature preserve” than a park, please leave your bicycles and pets behind. Fishing is not permitted, at this reservation.

Depending on the season, it can be helpful to carry a scope on this hike to view birds at a distance on the Marsh Loop. There is a small wooden viewing platform along the southern portion of the Marsh Loop Trail.

Meadow Loop Trail – . 5 mile – natural and .4 mile – gravel
The Meadow Loop is accessed from a connector trail at the parking lot.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

  • Roadside viewing

Content from Official Website and Ohio Ornithological Society