Goll Woods State Nature Preserve Fulton County, Ohio Overview

 

We stumbled upon Goll Woods State Nature Preserve quite by accident. I happened to catch sight of the sign from the road as we were passing by and mentioned to my husband that I’d love to stop. Without hesitation, he turned the car around, and just like that, we found ourselves on an unexpected detour—one that turned out to be a truly happy accident (if you don’t count the relentlessly hungry mosquitoes).

Nestled near Archbold, Ohio, this remarkable 321 acre preserve is a designated National Natural Landmark, recognized for its exceptional biological and geological features.

Goll Woods is best known for its magnificent oak-hickory forest, home to some of the largest and oldest trees still standing in the state. Towering white oaks, chinquapin oaks, and cottonwoods dominate the landscape, with some trees estimated to be between 200 to 400 years old, measuring an impressive four feet in diameter.

Oaks, which regenerate from both acorns and stump sprouts, are common in our region and often used in local furniture making. Hickory trees also hold a personal connection for me—my grandparents had them in their woods. If memory serves, my grandpa used hickory wood to craft handles for his tools, drawn to its strength and reliability.

Here along the path, I took a photo of the sign denoting a Vernal Poll. Vernal Pools are seasonal depressional wetlands. They are covered by shallow water for variable periods from winter to spring and serve as crucial breeding habitat for certain species of wildlife. This is the fall season and the pool is dry. There are many trails and one that passes by the Goll Cemetary.

I must point out to you that this time of year is not the best to hike. I was going at a  good clip, and the carbon dioxide I expelled must have alerted every mosquito to my location. This caused us to cut our hike shorter than we would have liked.

Tulip Tree, Bur Oak, and Cottonwood Loop

2.8mi Length, 16ft, Elevation gain, 0.5–1hr