Play, Learn and Visit with Critters at the Shawnee State Park Nature Center
Start Your Trip Off at Shawnee Nature Center
What to Expect
As you enter Shawnee State Park, make sure one of the first stops is by the Nature Center. With a convenient location near the Turkey Creek Lake Dam, it’s a fun stop while visiting. The A-framed building has trip information, maps, live critters, as well as, a nature playground outside, and a historical cabin you can tour.
Outdoor play are at Shawnee State Park Nature Center
Seasonal Hours : Wednesday-Saturday, 12-3pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Admission: Free
Tip: Check the schedule for monthly programming offered by the state naturalists and volunteers.
Gather Information and Maps
A-framed nature center at Shawnee State Park
A rule of thumb any time we visit a state park is to stop at the rangers station, visitor center or nature center if the park is lucky enough to have one. So when our family visited Shawnee State Park on a sunny day at the end of May, we dropped in to the visitors center.
It’s an ideal place to begin planning your trip, get maps of the area, and speak with a state naturalists. The state naturalists provide a wealth of information and unique expertise on weekly programming, events or trail closures. Pick up maps and check out the weekly scheduled programs offered, including wild edible hikes, nature crafts and live animal talks.
Play and Explore
Stop and play at the Shawnee State Nature Center
An outdoor play area will entertain your kids, especially younger children. Featuring a mud kitchen where they mix and measure, a tunnel to climb through and trucks and shovels to dig in the sand; your children will enjoy this outdoor play space.
Step inside the A-framed building, where you can find taxidermy animal and wildlife information. During specific hours you can look inside the historic log cabin and learn about history.
A Bit of History of Shawnee State Park
Today, visitors can tour the cabin, which is an educational center, that shares the history of the park and Shawnee State Forest. Learn how the Shawnee people originally lived and hunted in the Ohio River Valley and hills. Sadly once American’s settled in the area, deforestation and the natural wildlife of buffalo, black bear, bobcats and deer were extirpated in the area. Thankfully, in the 1920s and 1930s the Conservation Movement led to the creation of the Ohio’s Roosevelt Game Preserve and Shawnee State Forest. With the push for development of jobs with the CCC and efforts of Franklin D. Roosevelt for restoration of natural land, the Shawnee State Park was birthed. Ohioans today can reap the benefits of recreational activities of the Shawnee State Park and ability to escape while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
Interactive, Learn and Touch Wildlife
As one of the only nature centers that allows visitors to hold local wildlife like snakes, salamanders, amphibians and reptiles, your kids are guaranteed to have a unique experience. If their daring enough touch a slithery green snake or hold a toad with the aid of a state naturalist.
Closing Thoughts
Hopefully this has inspired you visit Shawnee State Park and check out the nature center. Make sure to experience the beauty of one of the most scenic state parks in Ohio this year.
Don’t forget to Pin and Save this post and follow Discovering Anew on Facebook for more family travel, vacation guides, and camping recommendations. If you found this content helpful, share it with a friend. Happy Trails!
Featured Blog Posts You May Enjoy
Boredom Buster Camping Activities
Best Michigan Campgrounds for Kids at Michigan State Parks
Guide to Visiting Hocking Hills with Kids
