Visit Us
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to connect with nature, whether it’s the woods that draw you or the open marshes. If you are looking for birds or mammals you are sure to find them here.
Driving Directions
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Ohio. The entrance is located 15 miles east of Toledo, Ohio or 16 miles west of Port Clinton, Ohio on State Route 2. The entrance road is located on the north side of State Route 2.
Address:
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
14000 West State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449
When using GPS to navigate to the refuge, some will direct you to Krause Road on the west end of the refuge. This is three miles west of the refuge entrance. Continue east on State Route 2 past the intersections with SR 579 and SR 590 to the main entrance.
Fees
There is no charge to visit.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available inside the visitor center, behind the visitor center and a comfort station is available at the trailhead parking lot.
Points of Interest
Visitors should stop at the visitor center at 14000 West State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449. The visitor center opened in 2007. This beautiful lodge-style building welcomes you and tells the refuge story. The building is open Wednesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is closed most federal holidays.
There are 10 miles of hiking trails. These trails travel through a variety of habitats and start behind the visitor center or from the trailhead parking lot.
The refuge wildlife drive is not open every day, please check the calendar of events to see if the wildlife drive is scheduled to be open before you travel. On the days that it is open the wildlife drive travels through areas of the refuge not otherwise open.
What To Do
If you have 15 minutes
- Take a stroll on the boardwalk behind the visitor center. This one-third mile loop takes you over a wetland, through shrubs and into the woods, reminiscent of the Great Black Swamp. This short walk has benches if you have an extra minute to sit and relax. A variety of birds can commonly be seen along the route.
If you have one hour
- Stop in the visitor center for an introduction to the refuge then venture out onto the trails, you can choose the short walk behind the visitor center or extend it further into the woods.
- You could also take a hike on the larger section of the trails. A loop around Pool 2C gives you a view of the most variety of habitats. If you are there on a day that the wildlife drive is open and have more time you can travel the first few miles and exit at Krause and Stange Roads.
If you have half a day or more
- Spend time learning the fascinating history of the refuge complex. Watch the video to learn how the refuge was started and more about the Great Black Swamp.
- Visit all three floors, including the third-floor observation deck and the Bob Hines gallery.
- Check out a pair of binoculars, field guide, explorer’s backpack and get deeper into the natural wonders available on the refuge.
- Or spend some time reading children’s books and doing some activities.
- You can take advantage of the 10 miles of hiking trails available through a variety of habitats.
- If you are there on a day that the wildlife drive is open and have more time you can travel the first few miles and exit at Krause and Stange Roads or travel all seven miles. You may also want to visit some of the satellite properties to see a wider variety of birds.
Know Before You Go
When planning a trip to the refuge, it is important to be aware that our weather conditions are often affected by Lake Erie. It can be much colder and windier here than 10 miles inland. Consider dressing in layers, even in the summer. Also consider bringing water, food, binoculars, field guides, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and anything else that might make the outdoor experience more enjoyable. Except for the boardwalk, the trails are gravel or grass covered and sometimes muddy, sturdy shoes are recommended.
When using GPS to navigate to the refuge, some will direct you to Krause Road on the west end of the refuge. This is three miles west of the refuge entrance. Continue east on State Route 2 past the intersections with SR 579 and SR 590 to the main entrance.
Visitor Tips
- Morning and evening are best times to see wildlife
- There is an eBird kiosk in the visitor center
- Weekdays are less busy
- There is fishing equipment available at the visitor center
- Binoculars, field guides and activity backpacks are available to borrow
- Some trails are seasonal these are marked on the map
- The wildlife drive is not open every day, please check the schedule for dates
- Late April through mid-May are the best times for spring migratory birds
- July through August are the worst months for bugs in the woods
Activities
Whether you are interested in birdwatching, hunting or just enjoying time outdoors there is something for you at the refuge. Some activities have limited locations and some areas are closed seasonally please check with the visitor center or our brochure for more details.
Trails
Boardwalk Loop
Open season: Open year round
Length: 0.3 mile
Location of trail: Behind the visitor center
Surface: Boards and stone
Difficulty: Easy, ADA compliant
Information: The boardwalk loop begins and ends behind the visitor center and travels over wetland and through wooded habitat. It has extensions that travel deeper into the woods and to the ranger station education building.
Estuary Trail
Open season: Daily December through October, Saturday afternoon – Sunday October through November
Length: .5 mile
Location of trail: West of the Magee Marsh beach along Lake Erie
Surface: Stone, grass, sand
Difficulty: Moderate
Information: This trail is accessed from the Magee Marsh parking lot or by walking the Pool 1 trail April 15 through September 1. It provides access to the lake and to beach ridge habitat preferred by many migrating songbirds in the spring.
Woodies Roost Trail
Open season: April 15 through September 1
Length:
Location of trail: 1.9 miles
Surface Grass
Difficulty: level, easy
Information: This seasonal trail can be accessed from the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge trailhead parking lot via the Partnership Trail or from the Migratory Bird Center parking lot at Magee Marsh. It travels around a wetland and past some large wooded areas.
Gallagher Memorial Trail
Open season: Year round
Length: 0.3 mile
Location of trail: Behind the offices of Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Surface Gravel
Difficulty: Easy
Information: Access this trail from the Partnership Trail or from Black Swamp Bird Observatory. This trail travels through scrub-shrub habitat and is a great location to see the mating display of American woodcock in the spring. There are also a variety of songbirds that use this area.
Partnership Trail
Open season: Year round
Length: 1.5 miles
Location of trail: Between the trailhead parking lot and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area entrance road.
Surface Grass
Difficulty: Easy
Information: Access this trail from trailhead parking lot or from the Migratory Bird Center parking lot at Magee Marsh. This trail travels through scrub-shrub area, along wetlands, deeper open pools and a grassland. There are also a variety of songbirds and waterfowl that use this area.
Other Facilities in the Complex
The staff at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge also manage West Sister Island and Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuges and the Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area, in Michigan. These refuges provide both nesting and feeding locations for a variety of migratory birds. The water around West Sister Island is too deep for most of the birds nesting there to feed. They must make the nine-mile trip to the coastal marshes to feed.
Rules and Policies
Welcome to your National Wildlife Refuge! Discover new places to hunt, fish, take pictures, watch wildlife, walk, cross-country ski, snowshoe, kayak and canoe. Enjoy spending time outdoors alone or with friends and family. Please consult the refuge manager at 419-898-0014 if you have questions. We may post additional site-specific regulations at kiosks on-site. To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, please be aware of these regulations.
Locations
The entrance to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is located 15 miles east of Toledo, Ohio or 16 miles west of Port Clinton, Ohio on State Route 2. The entrance road is located on the north side of State Route 2.
When using GPS to navigate to the refuge, some will direct you to Krause Road on the west end of the refuge. This is three miles west of the refuge entrance. Continue east on State Route 2 past the intersections with SR 579 and SR 590 to the main entrance.
The Turtle Creek Island Unit is located about 4 miles southeast of the main complex on Duff-Washa Rd. The Turtle Creek Island Unit was purchased by Ducks Unlimited in 2016 and is now part of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. In 2017, Friends of Ottawa raised funds to install a parking lot and canoe/kayak launch here. The area is open to fishing from sunrise to sunset, state regulations apply.
Directions from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Travel east (left) on SR 2, then turn south (right) on Benton-Carroll Rd. Turn east (left) on Duff Washa Rd. The Turtle Creek Island Unit is approximately a mile down the road on your left.
The Upper Toussaint Unit is a 77 acre unit located along the Toussaint River between Rocky Ridge and Lickert-Harder Roads. Hunting is limited to the area north of the river. Hunting of the listed species is allowed in accordance with state regulations. Only the species listed may be hunted. Trapping is allowed with a refuge issued permit only. Contact the refuge for a permit. For more information see the hunt brochure. Fishing is allowed in the river per state regulations.
Directions from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Travel south on Lickert-Harder Rd. Turn right onto W. Toussaint North Rd. Turn left on Rocky Ridge Rd. To park, enter the driveway at the intersection of Rocky Ridge Rd and W. Toussaint North Rd.
This unit is located on North Toussaint Road, just east of Benton Carroll Road and approximately 4 miles southeast of the main refuge complex. This 70-acre site is home to a tree restoration project... you'll know that you are here when you see all of the plastic tubes sticking up out of the earth! These are guards to protect the young trees from grazers like rabbits and deer. In addition to the tree restoration and prairie habitat, the property is also right next to the Toussaint Creek promising a variety of bird and wildlife species. This spot could get really birdy during spring migration with potential for sparrow species, dickcissels, wood warblers, and herons.
The Middle Toussaint now has a parking lot and kayak launch for visitors to use. During the hunting season, this is also a public hunting area.
Hunting of the listed species is allowed in accordance with state regulations. Only the species listed may be hunted. Trapping is allowed with a refuge issued permit only. Contact the refuge for a permit. For more information see the hunting regulations.
Fishing is allowed in the creek per state regulations.
Directions from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Travel east (left) on SR 2, then turn south (right) on Benton-Carroll Rd. Turn east (left) on North Toussaint Rd. The Middle Toussaint Unit will be on your left and right, approximately 3/4 mile down the road.
This 30 acre unit is located southeast of Oak Harbor on the Little Portage River. The area is a mix of former agricultural fields reverting to shrubland, river channel and marshland. An access for paddlers is being installed and the area is open for fishing from sunrise to sunset per state regulations.
Directions from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Travel east (left) on SR 2, then turn south (right) on SR 19. Just outside of Oak Harbor, turn east (left) on CR 17. Turn south (right) onto S. Muddy Creek North Rd. Turn east (left) on W. Little Portage East Rd. The parking area and canoe/kayak access will be on the left.
Located roughly 16 miles southeast of the main refuge unit, the Turkey Run Unit is a public hunting area near the Little Portage River. Outside of hunting season, folks are welcome to make use of this area for hiking, wildlife observation, and photography. The 266 acre parcel features habitats varying from woods to prairie to pools, and could host an abundance of wildlife and bird species. There is a gravel parking lot here, but no defined trails. This site is open during daylight hours only. Hunting of the listed species is allowed in accordance with state regulations. Fishing is permitted in the Little Portage River per state regulations and during daylight hours. Trapping is allowed with a refuge issued permit only. Contact the refuge for a permit.
Directions from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Travel east (left) on SR 2, then turn south (right) on SR 19. Just outside of Oak Harbor, turn east (left) on CR 17. Turn south (right) onto S. Muddy Creek North Rd. Turn east (left) on W. Little Portage East Rd. The Turkey Run Unit will be approximately a mile down the road on your right.
The Marinewood Unit is located on SR 163 between Oak Harbor and Port Clinton. It is the old Marinewood Golf Course. Since being acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2014, it is now the site of a pollinator restoration and tree restoration project. There is a mowed trail available off the parking lot and fishing is available in the Portage River.
Directions from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Turn east (left) on SR 2. Turn south (right) onto SR 19. Turn east (left) onto SR 163
West Harbor Landing is a 16 acre wetland parcel located on SR 53 east of Port Clinton. The site now features a parking lot and pollinator restoration habitat, kayak launch, kiosk, and observation/fishing deck. West Harbor Landing is a good spot to use binoculars to look at ducks, eagles, and gulls!
Directions from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Travel east (left) on SR 2. Take the 53 North Exit. West Harbor Landing is located a half mile north of the 163 intersection. Approx 35-40 minutes drive.
The preserve is located on East Muggy Road in Catawba Island Township. The property covers approximately 21 acres of land and 18 acres of submerged land along West Harbor. Approximately 7.7 acres of the property, formerly in agricultural use, was planted in June 2019 to shortgrass prairie /pollinator meadow habitat.
Other areas within the property will be restored to woodland, wetland, and scrub-shrub habitat. Approximately 8.2 acres of the property has large cottonwood and maple trees spaced to provide an open under-story with plenty of shade. This property is owned by the Black Swamp Conservancy but we partner to manage the public use access. This includes a mowed hiking trail, a fully accessible kayak and canoe launch, and a pavilion.
Directions from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Travel east (left) on SR 2. Take the 53 North Exit, travel 2.2 miles north and turn left onto Muggy Road, the preserve is 1/4 mile ahead on the right. This is approximately a 40 minute drive.
The Metzger Marsh Unit is the east 182 acres of the 740 acre Metzger Marsh, co-owned and managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the refuge. The area is open per state regulations and hours, this includes trapping, hunting and fishing. Primitive boat ramps along the entrance road provide access to the marsh for anglers or kayakers in the summer and waterfowl hunters in the fall. The lakefront dike is open for hiking and fishing. Hiking into the refuge is open April 15 - August 31, sunrise - sunset.