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84 - Maumee State Forest
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry
3390 County Rd. D., Swanton, OH 43558
419.822.3052
Public Access
Open daily, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Amenities
Hiking Trails, Equestrian Trails, Restrooms
GPS Coordinates
N 41° 31'49.37"; W 83° 55'45.03"
Driving Directions
Maumee State Forest is located at the borders of
Fulton, Henry, and Lucas counties, just to the south of
Swanton on County Road D.
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What To Look For
The forest is a patchwork of parcels, often disconnected from one another, that totals about 3,100 acres and covers parts of Fulton, Henry, and Lucas counties. Obtaining a map from the Division of Forestry--one can be downloaded from the website listed--is essential to determining the locations of various forests tracts. Some of the best habitat for forest breeding birds in northwest Ohio is found in Maumee State Forest. Nesting warblers include Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Kentucky, Mourning, and Pine warblers. Old red and white pine plantations sometimes harbor Blue-headed Vireo and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Wetter woods sometimes host Veery, and Broad-winged and Red-shouldered hawks nests in the larger forest tracts.
Due to the relative lack to forested cover in this region, Maumee State Forest can be especially good for songbirds in migration. Large numbers of Sandhill Cranes can pass through the area in late fall and early winter, and this is a good area to watch for Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, and Short-eared Owl in winter.
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Natural Features
The forest lies on the western edge of the Oak Openings region, and extensive prairies covered much of the area historically. Watch for prairie plants in ditches and open meadows. Some of the more unusual species include Great Lakes goldenrod (Euthamia remota), fringed gentian (Gentianopsis procera), and wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum). Blanding's and spotted turtles are sometimes found in wet areas. |
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