Northwest Ohio

Copyright: Patty Elton-Interactive Outdoors, Inc. Lush plant life is found throughout Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Attractions - Northwest Ohio provides its visitors an opportunity to explore the state's three national wildlife refuges where bird watching is famed during spring and fall migrations. History buffs can view recent additions such as the David Berger National Memorial, and events reaching back to the early 19th century at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. Many of the state parks in the region are located on or near Lake Erie. The compilation of Lake Erie Islands State Park is one of the area's favorites. Marblehead Lighthouse State Park is one of the most historic and Van Buren State Park is perhaps the quietest - all will surely please the visitor who is in pursuit of fishing, camping, sightseeing, hiking, picnicking, and wildlife watching.

Recreation - Recreation opportunities in Ohio explore state and national lands where facilities provide users the enjoyment of hiking, camping, picnicking, mountain biking, horseback riding, viewing historical sites, rock climbing, scuba diving, wildlife watching, boating of various types, fishing, swimming, and an array of winter sports.

Climate - This state has four distinct seasons and a brilliant fall foliage display in it southern woods during mid October. Winter lasts from December through February with average temperatures near 25 degrees F. Low temperatures dip to single digits, but do not often drop below zero. Northern regions of the state receive average snowfall amounts of 55 inches, while the central and southern regions of the state receive lesser amounts with averages near 30 inches. This difference is caused by lake-affect moisture patterns.

Spring temperatures begin to warm the landscapes of Ohio by mid March and are in full swing by April. Temperatures range from 40 through 70 degrees F through the spring months. This season often brings the most rainfall, before the drying heat of summer. Summer can be extremely hot and humid in the interior of Ohio. Temperatures reach above 90 degrees F frequently through July and August. Cooler fall temperatures don't reach the region until mid to late September. This is a pleasant time to visit as the air is crisp with low humidity levels. Ohio's annual precipitation usually reaches slightly above 50 inches.

Location - Northwest Ohio includes such notables as Lake Erie and Toledo on the north, Indiana on the west, Sidney and Bucyrus to the south, and Milan and Huron on the east.