Great Seal State Park

06/03/2026

Enjoy a weekly night time adventure this summer at 8:00pm on Tuesdays meeting at the Ireland Shelter. Dusk before dark is a magical time. On our first Tuesday night out we saw forgets emerging from their springtime wetland. We heard a barred owl calling, playful coyote calls, and the end of the day songs from many birds including the cerulean warbler!

06/03/2026

We had a fabulous first day of Nature play yesterday with sunny skies and 117 visitors! Let the good times roll!

06/01/2026

Here are some fun summer programs for everyone to enjoy! We have 10 new blue bird boxes throughout the park thanks to our eagle scout friend young Lyric! Our Nature play kid zone got a make over with a new bird feeding station added, thanks to our very own Tyler and Miss Willow who came and helped out Naturalist Amy for the day! We are ready for summer adventures to begin at Great Seal State Park!

05/18/2026

Get ready for a summer full of outdoor fun, creativity, and exploration! 🌞🌿 Our Nature Play programs are back with hands-on activities, games, crafts, and adventures designed to help kids connect with the natural world. Check out the summer schedule below and join us for a season of discovery, imagination, and play in the great outdoors! 🦋🌳

05/10/2026

05/07/2026

She's behind the shed. She has been for years. The color of dead leaves. Doesn't move unless she has to.

But something found her. A dog. A boot too close.

And now she's performing.

Act One — she flattens her head into a broad cobra-like hood. Hisses. Lunges forward with her mouth closed. The whole display says venomous. She isn't.

Act Two — she strikes again. Harder. Mouth still closed. She's swinging with the safety on.

Act Three — she rolls onto her back. Mouth open. Tongue out. She may release a foul smell. She goes completely limp.

She is playing dead. And she's committed to the role.

Flip her back over and she immediately rolls onto her back again. She cannot break character.

🐍 What she actually is:

- Eastern hognose snake — completely harmless
- Eats toads, digs them out with an upturned snout
- Rear fangs carry a mild venom that works on toads, not people
- The drama is the only defense she has

Too small, too slow, and too gentle to fight. Every performance is one nobody was meant to see 🌿

04/23/2026

Happy National Picnic Day!
There’s no better way to celebrate than by packing a basket and heading out to one of our beautiful Ohio state parks. Our award-winning parks offer scenic picnic areas—whether you prefer a shady grove, a sunny meadow, or a peaceful lakeside spot, you’ll find the perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal in nature.
Day‑use visitors can take advantage of free picnic areas spread throughout the parks. Many locations also offer convenient amenities like drinking water, restrooms or latrines, grills, and nearby playgrounds and trails to round out your visit.
Planning a bigger gathering? Many of our parks offer reservable shelter houses, perfect for reunions, celebrations, or group picnics. You can book these spaces easily through the Ohio State Parks reservation system at www.reserveohio.com
So gather your friends, family, and favorite snacks—your next great picnic adventure is waiting in Ohio State Parks! 🌳🥪🌞

04/15/2026

Let's get together and celebrate this beautiful planet that we live on! 🙂