Family-Friendly Hikes at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes in Cleveland
Why the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is a Top Family Destination
As a family who loves exploring nature trails, the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes has become one of our top destinations in Northeast Ohio. Located in the heart of Shaker Parklands, this 20-acre green space offers scenic trails, diverse habitats like a lake, stream, marsh, and forest, plus year-round family-friendly activities, making it one of the best places for nature walks near Cleveland.
In 1971, the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior named the Nature Center a National Environmental Education Landmark for its "distinct values in revealing significant natural and cultural processes through effective environmental education programs.”
The trails at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes are beautiful year-round, but one of our favorite times to visit may surprise you. Over the last few years, we’ve made it a tradition to visit over Winter Break, and I think the trails have a distinct type of allure this time of year.
All throughout the trails, you’ll find these gorgeous earthy color tones like beautiful browns, beiges, and blue-grays in the winter. Then you’ll have these subtle pops of color that really stand out amidst the neutral tones. Call me crazy, but the winter season (especially if we get a warmer day!) is my favorite time to visit the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.
Exploring the Trails
All People’s Trail: An Accessible Nature Experience
There are two trails you can walk here. One is called the All People’s Trail and is a ⅓ mile-elevated boardwalk. It’s ADA accessible, which is so great, and often gets you a great view of some of the wildlife in the marshes. In winter, the muted earthy tones of the landscape provide a serene backdrop, while in spring, the trails come alive with vibrant greenery and blooming wildflowers, and in the summer, you’ll catch glimpses of the native Marsh Rose Mallow.
The All People’s Trail is where you’ll find one of my favorite gazebos in Northeast Ohio, the Rose Foundation Gazebo. Built by local artist Matt Parker, this gazebo is a real gem and one of my favorite places to snap a picture with my kiddos.
What Makes the Stearns Woodland Trail a Kid Favorite
The other trail is called the Stearns Woodland Trail, and it has a mix of paved and natural segments, including dirt, bridges, and boardwalks. While I prefer the All People’s Trail, my kids’ favorite trail is definitely the Stearns Woodland Trail. This 1.5-mile trail is easy enough for kids of all ages (not particularly stroller-friendly!) and has two different stop-offs for little ones.
The first is located right by the Nature Center and is called Jimmy’s Treehouse. The treehouse gives you a bird’s eye view of the trails and has a cute little puppet show theater inside.
The second stop is on the opposite end of the trail, and it’s the Nature Play Area. It has a natural obstacle course for the kids to use, a little climbing structure, a wooden swing for two, and a tree trunk from a 300-year-old white oak.
I really love how along the trails there are learning stations that explain more about the natural habitats and give conservation tips for young and old alike.
The Stearns Woodland trail is more of a traditional paved trail than the All People’s Trail that really feels like it’s taking you through the different natural habitats, especially the forest. It’s a great trail for wildlife watching and to go hunting for specific types of wildflowers when they’re in season.
Seasonal Blooms at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
The trails at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes are alive with stunning seasonal blooms, so you really can’t go wrong no matter when you visit!
Spring awakens with delicate Snowdrops and cheerful Virginia Bluebells, carpeting the woodland floor in white and blue hues. By late spring, Great White Trillium and vibrant Golden Ragwort flourish, adding elegance to the Woodland Garden.
Summer is a pollinator’s paradise, with colorful blooms like Black-Eyed Susans, and Swamp Milkweed, drawing butterflies and bees to the gardens. The rich greens of the surrounding forest provide a lush backdrop to these sunny flowers.
As the air turns crisp, Fall brings fiery displays of Cardinal Flowers and warm yellows of Goldenrod and Late Boneset, signaling the transition of seasons with breathtaking beauty.
No matter when you visit, the Nature Center’s trails offer a kaleidoscope of colors and textures, showcasing Ohio’s native plants at their finest. Be sure to check their official flower guide for bloom times and where to find them.
Wildlife and Habitats at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
One of the best parts about visiting the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is all of the wildlife you might see during your time there. From cute little American minks to fox squirrels and cottontail rabbits to white-tailed deer, there is a broad mix of mammals to encounter here. There are also quite a few reptiles and amphibians, like snapping turtles, American bullfrogs (my favorite!), box turtles, and red salamanders.
It’s not just mammals and reptiles, either. The Nature Center is part of the Cleveland Area Loop of the Lake Erie Birding Trail, known for the number of species that can be seen around the Nature Center, like great blue herons, red-bellied woodpeckers, and American goldfinches.
LEARNING AND FUN IN THE NATURE CENTER
After you’re finished walking the trails, you can also stop inside the Nature Center to learn more about some of the wildlife at Shaker Lakes. There’s a scavenger hunt for kids, coloring pages available, and some reptiles to see.
For hours of operation and to learn more about this incredible organization, be sure to visit their website at shakerlakes.org.
