Goll Woods Nature Preserve
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Goll Woods Nature Preserve is a 321-acre natural area in the U.S.
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Summary
state of Ohio. It is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and is located in Fulton County, about 10 miles south of Archbold. The preserve contains one of the few remaining examples of the Great Black Swamp, a once vast wetland that covered much of northwestern Ohio.
Visitors to Goll Woods Nature Preserve can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography. There are two miles of trails that wind through the woods and along the banks of the Tiffin River. Points of interest include the old-growth forest, which contains some of the oldest trees in Ohio, and the boardwalk over a wetland area, which offers a unique opportunity to observe a variety of plant and animal species.
One interesting fact about Goll Woods is that it is home to several species of rare and endangered plants and animals, including the Indiana bat and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. The preserve also has a rich cultural history, with evidence of Native American habitation dating back thousands of years.
The best time of year to visit Goll Woods Nature Preserve is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the leaves are changing colors. However, the preserve is open year-round and offers different experiences throughout the seasons. Visitors in the winter may be able to see bald eagles and other winter wildlife, while those in the summer can enjoy the shade of the forest canopy and the refreshing coolness of the Tiffin River.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
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