The Wilderness Center

Eric Speegle

2024-04

If you're interested in getting out for a beautiful hike. Than this place is for you. Totally awesome. Great for kids. The out door experience at the playground is a chance for the little ones to expand on their mudpie making skills. It is also recommended to make sure you take a few minutes to make your way inside. It is full of interesting things for the kiddos.

Charles Morain

2023-05

Very nice place! They have several walking trails through the woods, a planetarium, a rock garden, and a place for kids to play that is really neat! Plenty of places to have a picnic, either on the ground with a blanket or by using one of their many picnic tables. The grounds are very well kept. I'll be back in the Spring for sure!

David C

2023-05

A beautiful nature preserve with great hiking trails. Though the trailers are shorter, together the various trails provide around 10 miles of scenic hiking trails.The Interpretive Lodge has various nature exhibits, bathrooms, and a gift shop. There are picnic pavilions on site as well.A beautiful slice of rural Ohio!

Amanda Kennedy

2024-01

Nice assortment of hiking trails in the 1 mile range that can be pieced together for something longer. Many hands on activities, signs, and viewpoints along the trail. Great kids nature playscape area.

Amanda H

2019-05

Great place to take the kids, or just a hike. Inside had a little area for kids to play and explore. They also have a indoor bee hive that the kids can watch the bees work and move around the comb. We walked the pond trail, and got to see the geese and tons of little babies. The trail was good for walking, not great for pushing a stroller, but do-able. We then went to the outdoor kids play area and my 2 boys (6 and almost 2) had a great time exploring and getting dirty.

Kara Pope

2023-05

Beautiful nature preserve!! They also have an interpretive building with lots of information. They also have events throughout the year. Trails are nice and kept up well.

Michael Amstutz

2024-04

This is one of the best natural areas in our area. Wonderful trails and, when it's open, the nature center is a "can't miss" opportunity.

brian kline

2023-05

Fun place to hike/walk with plenty of trails and hidden gems

Clint Reed

2021-05

Our family has been going to the Wilderness Center for Decades. It is a fantastic place for kids to play and learn.

Amanda Blackburn

2021-05

Very nice place to hike, even when the building is closed. There is a restroom that's always open. Miles of hiking trails, ponds with ducks and geese and lots of benches along the trails. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails across the road from the building.I should also mention that if you like to Geocache, this is a great place to go, especially for the kids. There a really some great ones to find here. And the kids never mind finding the same ones again so we hunt for them over again every year!

pliccut

2020-05

My favorite place in Stark County. Peaceful and quiet. Great place to hike and enjoy nature. Lots of nice backroads in the area too if you like adventure bicycling.

Merlin Miller

2018-05

Great family memories made here. Don’t forget to feed the fish at the pond. Beautiful trails to walk.

Gary Kiser

2019-05

You can’t beat this local gem. About 20 minutes SW of Canton and Massillon. Fall is an ideal time to view this getaway

Rodger Riehl

2023-11

Great trails but don’t take your dogs, the tick are horrible right. We pulled at least 15-20 off our dogs!!!

Matt Miller

2018-05

Excellent place to introduce kids to the wonders of nature. Many birds, deer and squirrels around most of the time. Nice trails to explore. I would recommend this to whomever cares about wildlife or conservation.

Brandon Hufford

2023-05

This is a great place to take your kids for an outdoor adventure or take your significant other for a nice stroll through the woods. There is an outdoor play area for the kids to play. My girlfriend and I take our kids here to go out and explore. I would recommend stopping by and going for a nice walk any time of the year.

Jeremy Hershberger

2024-03

Great hiking for families and people of a variety of abilities. The variety of trails provide something for people who want a easy stroll and those who prefer to get a bit further into nature. Trail markings and amenities make hiking here a smooth experience.Playground: There's a great playground that allows children to get up close to nature. Expect kids to get dirty as they play in the sand, exercise their imaginations and bodies as they climb, crawl, and run. This is so good for kids.Restrooms: There are public restrooms in the Interpretive Building including ones on the south side that are open 24/7.Dog-friendliness: Most of the trails are dog-friendly and require dogs to be on a leash and humans to clean up after their dogs. I appreciate the culture of respect for nature and other people that dog parents follow. This keeps the Wilderness Center friendly both for those with and those without dogs.Picnic area: There are multiple picnic areas throughout the Wilderness Center including open air and enclosed shelters.

Jason Baker

2023-05

This is a nice a little park. The section marked as old growth is nice. If you are expecting to see something like an old growth redwood forest though, you will be disappointed. They're big and relatively old for Ohio. I'm still happy it was spared development and added to the Old Growth Forest Network. There is very little land in Ohio that hasn't been logged, farmed, or developed at some point over the last 2 centuries. It is surprisingly difficult to find examples of what the forest was like here before european settlement.Be careful on the road that leads to the entrance. It's unpaved and has some really big pot holes. The road was quiet when I visited so I was able to drive around or straddle all of them.

Sam Y

2021-05

This place is a fantastic little wilderness center. Not only do the have educational play areas for the kiddos, there are live animals, and a wildlife watching station with plenty of seating for social distancing. The gift shop is nice as well and has both educational materials for purchase but also snacks and clothes promoting the wilderness center, I really love my long sleeve shirt I purchased from them. The trails are great as well. I will say that none of the trails are paved, but they're very well maintained and easy to follow. I would totally recommend this place for a family with young children or your more casual hiker.

Zoe Zumbro

2020-05

I have been going here for 20 years now and Every time its like a new experience. We always walk the pond loop: feed the fish, climb the tower, sit in the turtle shack and watch the turtles. It’s always so fun. It’s the perfect distance and it’s 95% shades. The inside of the building is educational and breathtaking. The new kids playground they build is extremely adorable and I am glad it isn’t like a traditional playground. I love this place. It’s a must go every time I travel to Ohio!

Elisa Smith

2023-05

Beautiful place! Wish we didn't get there so late only got to do one of the many trails. Would love to come back. Nature scenery is so beautiful.

Tora Clapper

2020-05

This is a great place to hike for all ages, as it's safe. It's also very beautiful with a pond, watch tower to climb, and an awesome kids area!! I see a lot of tours while hiking, and have thought about doing that. Go check it out! You'll enjoy it.

David Glasgo

2018-05

Great place with much to see and do. Simple hiking trails for the family! And the Interpretive Building is great to venture through with the kids as well. I've always enjoyed the bird watching room with all the windows and sound.

Daniel Lux

2019-05

This is a wonderful resource for the area. The foot print is relatively small but they make up for it by being great. Whether it's children's programs, the astronomy or photography club there is something for everyone. I'm now an old geezer so I remember is as the Stark County Wilderness Center. I recommend you come out for a program, bring your kids to one, join one of the clubs or just come out and hike.

Suze Lux

2019-05

Beautiful place to hike and to experience and learn about nature. There are trails to appeal to all ages. Children and adults will enjoy the fish and geese on the pond and watching the birds and squirrels, and an occasional woodland mammal in the bird observation room. There are clubs and events from astronomy to photography. The Wilderness Center has a lot to offer, free to the public, and do consider supporting it by becoming a member for a nominal fee.

Mia Pet

2021-05

::::Caution:::::: Make sure to take route 250 to Alabama Ave!! The side roads in the area are Amish dirt roads, rough and hilly. The Wilderness Center is located in Amish country, please drive slow and watch out for horses.Wilderness center is a great place to hike and visit. There's a lot of nice loop trails and education opportunities for kids. Great place for a family with young children.

William Rogers

2019-05

Very nice place to spend the day enjoying nature. The bird room is really cool. Hiking trails, picnic area, benches to sit and watch nature, and so much more. The restrooms in the main building are very clean and well maintained.

Rebekah B

2018-05

Officiated a green burial at the adjoining Foxfield Preserve. The Center is stunning! Beautiful architecture. Great displays of wildlife, environmental concerns, for all ages. Nice gift shop. Serene trails. A great place to spend the fay

Ashley Turner

2018-05

We come here very often. They have a lot of really cute walking paths. They have great programs for kids. This place has an outside playscape for kids to play in nature, and also an indoor play area. Check out their website, its worth a visit or 10.

Igobothways Allidoismakewaves

2020-05

Hands down, the best place to visit with kids. We love this place. I've taken many family trips here, and introduced friends to this hidden gem. We always have a great time here. I can't wait to explore some more! There's no way to experience everything they offer in one trip.