Mary Jane Thurston State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Mary Jane Thurston State Park is located in the state of Ohio and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
The park is located on the banks of the Maumee River and offers a variety of recreational activities including camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Visitors to the park can explore several points of interest, including the picturesque Maumee River, the historic Durham Boat Landing, and the impressive limestone gorge that runs through the park. There are also several trails that wind through the park, offering visitors the chance to see diverse wildlife and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
One of the most interesting facts about Mary Jane Thurston State Park is that it was once home to a bustling canal system that transported goods across the state of Ohio. Today, visitors can see remnants of the historic canal, including the remains of the old lock system and a restored canal boat.
The best time of year to visit Mary Jane Thurston State Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is alive with blooming wildflowers and migrating birds. However, fall is also a beautiful time to visit the park, as the leaves on the trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Overall, Mary Jane Thurston State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a peaceful place to camp or an exciting spot for fishing and boating, this beautiful park has something for everyone.
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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.
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