Ohio’s Wonders / Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

Image courtesy of Alyssa Kordish

I have grown up always hiking around different forests and nature preserves. I’ve spent multiple years at summer camps, learning about the local parks and nature. 

This has lead to a lifelong love of the outdoors, and a desire to constantly explore. Ohio is often regarded as boring by people, and it definitely can be if you aren’t willing to wander a little. 

This takes me to the main point of today’s post: the Cedar Bog Nature Preserve of Urbana, Ohio. It was just shy of a two hour drive from where I was located, but it was worth it. 

The Cedar Bog was established in 1942 and is the oldest nature preserve in Ohio. In fact, according to Cedar Bog Nature Preserve’s website, the land is a Natural National Landmark because of its uniqueness. 

First and foremost, the bog was left by the glaciers receding at the end of the Ice Age. The northern white cedars that grow in the bog are usually found in places like Canada, but seeds were left behind from the glaciers which allowed them to sprout much more south than they usually do.

The next fact is that this bog isn’t actually a bog. It is a fen, but at the time it was established, humans did not know the difference.

 A fen differs from a bog in a few ways. Fens form from an underground source of water, which leaves them clear like a spring, while bogs are collections of rainwater that end up looking muddy.

This fen in particular was formed when the glaciers buried the Teays River with sand and limestone gravel, which eventually allowed the water to rise to the surface.

The final special feature of the bog is what it contains. The website Ohio History Connection explains that the bog holds forty percent of all rare and endangered plant species in Ohio. 

The Cedar Bog has a boardwalk that is open all year round as long as the weather is safe. The boardwalk is ADA accessible and a smooth mile walk around the entire way.

When I went, I went for a project and took my friends. The nature center was unfortunately closed for the season, but it meant it was only us to enjoy the sounds of nature. 

A fee is required to enter the boardwalk, but it was four dollars per student and five dollars per regular adult, so it is not a big cost. It is cash only however, so keep that in mind if you go.

We paid and entered and immediately were met with a very lively scene for November. We saw multiple deer, rabbits, and birds as we walked around, and many interesting plants. 

It is required that patrons stay on the boardwalk at all time for their own safety. Not only are there snakes in the area, the water itself stays about 50°F all year, which can be dangerous in the winter. 

My friends and I went for a specific reason to this bog, however. Supposedly, in 1945, three teenagers went missing in the area and nothing was ever found to explain their fate. 

The Cedar Bog Monster was blamed for what happened, and ever since then there have been multiple sightings of a Bigfoot-like creature wandering around the area.

While there is no legitimacy to these claims, I went in order to record a video of me hunting for this creature for the Honors Program Fandoms course. We did not see anything while there, but it was obvious how people could come to such conclusions. 

The bog itself is somewhat secluded, and the trees are thick even without leaves. It is not a problem to walk on, but hearing noises off in the trees can lead to some anxiety when alone in the park. 

Regardless of the legend and the moments where we were certain we could hear something walking near us, my friends and I have decided to embark on the journey again in the spring to go and see what beauty the season brings.

I heavily recommend this nature preserve due to how easy it is to hike and how unique it is. Please stay tuned for more recommendations for Ohio’s natural beauty in the future.