Shawnee Prairie Preserve & Nature Center

So much to see and do! Loved the table that let kids touch hides and turtle shells. My older kid loved the high powered microscope station. They have a log cabin and beautiful walking trails. We were unable to visit them the day we went but look forward to visiting them soon. As we drove in, a deer was standing close to the road. We were able to stop and look at it for a bit but we’re so surprised to see one so close we forgot to get out the camera.

What a great area to hike and explore. Some amazing old oaks growing along the trails, some over 250 years old or more. Plan to come back in the summer.

I have lived in Darke county for over 25 years and have never been to the parks here. I was blown away by the tranquility of Shawnee Prairie and all the trails and scenery. The people are all so very nice at the Nature Center and I even made a few new friends. 🙂 If you haven't utilized the parks of Darke county your missing out. I am adding this to my weekly visits, and will add more of the parks. Just a beautiful place to walk and commune with nature. I can't wait until spring to see the beautiful flowers and trees.

Nice paths through nature, very quiet, lots of critters afoot, and some seasonal wetlands with plants that aren't otherwise common. While I did not get to visit the nature center, the raptors were quite happy to see us!

It was a lovely place and the women I spoke to at the desk was a doll! I gave only 3 stars for the sad snapping turtle inside the welcome center. It’s enclosure is so small and not that for an animal anywhere near it’s size and also because when we stumbled upon the turtle, the poor things arm was trapped in the filter and couldn’t free himself. I posted photos and I’ll post a video. I got so lost in the beautiful trails outside that I forgot to mention it to the staff before I left. But I truly hope for its sake that it is set free or given a proper habitat.

My kids love to play here in nature. This last week (early March) we were there & the workers were boiling down the sap from the maple trees & making syrup.

This place was a great stop on our way home and this place did not disappoint us..We we were lucky enough to stop on the day they had there prairie days and it was a blast we learned a lot. The nature center was the best part I loved there taxidermy displays and the live reptile exhibits that they had and there 3D view of a live beehive was really awesome..Trails we're well maintained and recently graveled.