Deer Haven Preserve

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Deer Haven Preserve is a 190-acre nature preserve located in the state of Ohio.


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Summary

There are many reasons to visit the preserve, including hiking trails, birdwatching, and educational programs. Visitors can see a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, and a variety of bird species. One specific point of interest is the restored prairie, which is home to a variety of native grasses and wildflowers. The preserve also features a butterfly garden, a pond, and a picnic area.

Interesting facts about Deer Haven Preserve include that it is part of the Preservation Parks of Delaware County, and that it was created through a partnership between the county and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The preserve is also home to a variety of endangered species, including the Indiana bat and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

The best time of year to visit Deer Haven Preserve is in the spring and summer, when the wildflowers are in bloom and many bird species are nesting. Visitors should also be aware that the preserve is closed during hunting season, which runs from September to February.

Overall, Deer Haven Preserve is a beautiful and unique destination that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Ohio's landscapes and wildlife.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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