The 900-acre Big Darby Headwaters Nature Preserve encompasses a mixture of wetlands and streamside forests.  Here, humble coldwater springs emerge, forming the nourishing capillaries that are the lifeblood of Big Darby Creek, one of the most biologically diverse streams of its size in the Midwest. Flora and fauna surveys have found such species as central mottled sculpin, southern redbelly dace, marsh marigold, skunk cabbage and trillium.  Activities include hiking, wildlife watching, volunteer opportunities (contact [email protected]).  Open year-round, dawn to dusk.

LOCATION:

County Road 152

East Liberty, OH  43319

TRAILS:

Length: 2.25 miles (.25-mile wheelchair accessible trail from parking lot, 2-mile primitive trail extension to second observation deck)

Difficulty: Wheelchair accessible trail to observation deck - EASY.

Primitive trail extension - MODERATE.

DIRECTIONS:

From Columbus:

Take US 33 West to the S.R. 287 exit (2nd Honda Parkway exit).  Turn left off the ramp and drive approximately 0.3 miles. Turn right onto S.R. 287 and drive approximately 2.5 miles. Follow S.R. 287 by making a left-hand turn at the Middleburg sign and drive approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto Township Road 227. In approximately .2 miles Township Road 227 merges with County Road 152.  Continue on County Road 152 for another 0.1 miles until you see a sign for Big Darby Headwaters Nature Preserve on your right.