Crawford County: Prairies, River and History

In Crawford County, rare prairies meet river landscapes and places where local history comes to life. In Crawford County, rare prairies meet river landscapes and places where local history comes to life. Lowe-Volk Park and Sandusky Headwaters Preserve stand out for their diverse habitats. The loop trail at Sears Woods passes through mature forest and old-field habitats; from higher ground, visitors can look out over the Sandusky River, while trails at Unger Park wind through prairies and woods and along the river. Add museums, crafts, and recurring events, and you have a varied foundation for shaping your trip around your own interests.

Prairies, River and Diverse Habitats

Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve is the last 74-acre remnant of the Sandusky Plains. Daughmer Prairie Savannah is considered one of the rarest prairie communities in the Midwest. Those interested in prairies will find a special connection here to the region’s landscape history.

At Lowe-Volk Park, water and woods sit side by side. Habitats include wooded riparian corridors, mixed hardwood and conifer forests, wetlands, and old-field areas. The Sandusky River also begins its 130-mile journey to Sandusky Bay here. Lowe-Volk Park has an accessible floating dock and a pond for catch-and-release fishing. The 30-mile Barb Dolch Memorial Bikeway also begins at the park.

Sandusky Headwaters Preserve brings together riparian lowlands, wetlands, ponds, vernal pools, a wet prairie, and old-growth hardwood forest. A boardwalk is part of the visitor facilities, along with opportunities for wildlife viewing and access to the river. Carpenter's Bottom Natural Area protects a section of the Sandusky River and includes several vernal pools that provide habitat for amphibians. The area is especially suitable for birdwatching during migration.

Trails Through the Woods and Along the Sandusky River

Visitors who want to explore the landscape on foot will find trails of varying lengths and settings. The loop trail at Sears Woods State Nature Preserve is about one mile long. It passes through mature forest, over higher ground with views of the Sandusky River, and through old-field habitats. Sears Woods is managed as a public State Nature Preserve. At Unger Park, a trail system about three miles long winds through prairies and woods and along the river.

Heckert Nature Preserve also has a hiking trail about one mile long, which passes through woods and along the edge of the riparian bottomland. These three trails differ in length and scenery: the Sears Woods loop trail is about one mile long and passes through mature forest with views of the Sandusky River; Unger Park’s trail system covers about three miles and winds through prairies and woods and along the river, while the roughly one-mile hiking trail at Heckert Nature Preserve passes through woods along the edge of the riparian bottomland.

Crafts, Museums and Local History

At Copper Kettle Works in Bucyrus, copper products have been hand-hammered using traditional methods since 1874. The Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works Museum demonstrates the hammering process at the original location; visitor arrangements may vary. Artifacts, photographs, and documents at the Bucyrus Historical Society’s Scroggs House Museum share local history. Open-house arrangements may vary there, too.

The Harvey One-Room Schoolhouse brings the history of early education to life through typical school-day experiences for adults and children. Free public events are held each year in spring, fall, and during the Christmas season; dates may vary from year to year. The Crawford County Agricultural and Fair Museum preserves the Crawford County Fair and the county’s agricultural heritage and tells their story. It is open during Fair week.

The Crawford County Art Center offers exhibitions, hands-on workshops, community events, and open studio hours; its program may change. The Crestline Historical Society & Museum features a Trory Pharmacy collection and a railroad collection. Together, these institutions cover a range of subjects, from craft production and school history to arts programs and collections.

Festivals Throughout the Year

Bucyrus hosts the Bratwurst Festival every August. The program includes events such as eating contests; specific dates vary from year to year. The Crawford County Fairgrounds hosts a festival every July featuring livestock shows, races, demolition derbies, rides, and agricultural exhibits. The program may change. If you’re planning your trip around a festival or museum visit, check the relevant dates and visitor arrangements in advance.

Explore more destinations: Bucyrus, Galion, Cuyahoga County, Knox County, Morgan County, Erie County, Gallia County, Morrow County.

For the broader travel overview: Ohio.