There are great places in and around Norton, OH, that offer exciting outdoor activities from horseback riding, hiking, and birdwatching to boating, fishing, and camping. This is where a four-wheel-drive Ford EcoSport is handy to fit all your outdoor gear and get you anywhere you want to go.
3 Fun Outdoor Activities You Can Drive to From Norton, OH
1. Horseriding and Birdwatching at Silver Creek Metro Park
Get in the saddle at the beautiful 1,008-acre Silver Creek Metro Park at 5000 Hametown Road right here in Norton. Ride down the 3.4-mile Bridle Trail, take the 3.25-mile Wadsworth Loop through open fields, and ride through the beech, maple, and hickory woods along the picturesque 50-acre spring-fed lake.
The area attracts an abundance of birds and woodcocks, meadowlarks, and eastern bluebirds are often spotted in the trees, osprey around the lake, and hawks overhead. Keep your eyes peeled for rabbits and deer in the woods and when riding across the fields. Silver Creek Metro Park is also a great fishing spot. The park has an archery range and scenic picnic areas. Your pets are also welcome to enjoy the outdoors with you.
2. Boating and Fishing on Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir
Take a 32-mile drive to West Branch State Park at 5570 Esworthy Road in Ravenna and spend the day fishing and boating on the 2,650-acre Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir. You can get all the supplies you need at the West Branch Marina, which also offers boat rentals. There are five launch ramps, and the East and West Boat Ramps have loads of parking, two paved lanes each, and are close to restroom facilities.
The gravel Rock Spring Road Ramp is on the north end of the reservoir, and the primitive gravel Knapp Road Ramp is on the west end. Take your fishing gear to hook large and smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, bluegill, crappie, and catfish, and pitch your tent at a full hookup campsite close to the two-lane camp boat ramp. There are also boat swimming areas at Silver Creek Bay, near the swimming beach, and Jay Lake, across from the Camp Ramp.
3. Hiking and Birdwatching in Tinkers Creek State Park
A bit further down the road, Tinkers Creek State Park at 10303 Aurora Hudson Road in Streetsboro spreads over 355 acres of marshlands and swamps covered in white oak, alder, buttonbush, and cattail. The park is home to mallards, geese, ducks, herons, woodcock, muskrat, and beavers. Put on your hiking boots and explore the breathtaking natural area on three different trails.
Hike through untouched wetlands that provide food and shelter for thousands of waterfowl during spring and fall migration. You can also boat, paddle, and fish for bass, bluegill, perch, crappie, and catfish in the lake and shoot at targets at the archery range. Take a picnic basket and enjoy a bite to eat in the shade of white oak trees before you head home.
Pack your gear in your car, and hit the road to enjoy loads of great activities outdoors. Before you hit the road, pop in at Ken Ganley Ford today, and take a closer look at the new EcoSport, the ideal vehicle for an outdoor adventure.