Contact Information
13531 West State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449
419-898-2495
Crane Creek is located along the shores of Lake Erie, one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world. The park is comprised of 79 acres of beach and marshlands adjoining the 2,600-acre Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. The park's name is borrowed from nearby Crane Creek, which flows into Lake Erie just west of the park. Undoubtedly, the creek owes its name to the great blue herons and egrets--often misidentified as cranes--which are abundant in the marsh habitat. Known as one of the premier bird watching areas in the country, it is not uncommon to observe more than one hundred species in a day's time. Throughout summer, swallows in flight delight the eye, while ducks, geese, coots and egrets are easily sighted in their natural habitat. In the winter, short-eared owls can be seen hunting over the open meadows and marshes.Located along the shores of Lake Erie, Crane Creek encompasses 79 acres with another 2,600 acres of nearby protected swamps and marshes, together providing food, shelter and nesting habitat for many species of waterfowl, birds-of-prey, songbirds and others. The bird population grows enormously during spring migration as weary migrants take refuge in the marsh and rest for a time before winging northward across Lake Erie into Canada. The Lake Erie shoreline provides one of the last strongholds of the bald eagle in Ohio. Several nesting pairs have been reported recently in the Crane Creek vicinity.
A one-half-mile boardwalk trail provides access to the many different habitats in the park. The wheelchair accessible boardwalk skirts several small ponds, winds through woodlots and borders open marshlands. Bird watchers delight in the numerous avian species sighted along the trail.
Tables and grills are scattered along the Lake Erie shoreline providing a scenic picnicking opportunity. One picnic shelter is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The lake itself offers unlimited opportunities for boaters and anglers. Common Lake Erie catches include walleye, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie, white bass, channel catfish and freshwater drum. A spacious 3,500-foot, sandy swimming beach graces the shore. Latrines and changing booths are provided. Wildlife observation is a nature occurrence at Crane Creek.
Numerous reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fish and insects inhabit the marshes including the fox snake, northern water snake, painted turtle, green frog, bullfrog, spotted salamander, raccoon, muskrat and a variety of wetland insects.
Crane Creek State Park offers supreme bird watching opportunities, wildlife observation, hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. Controlled hunting is permitted on the adjacent Magee Marsh Wildlife Area.
This state has four distinct seasons and a brilliant fall foliage display in it southern woods during mid October. Winter lasts from December through February with average temperatures near 25 degrees F. Low temperatures dip to single digits, but do not often drop below zero. Northern regions of the state receive average snowfall amounts of 55 inches, while the central and southern regions of the state receive lesser amounts with averages near 30 inches. This difference is caused by lake-affect moisture patterns.
Spring temperatures begin to warm the landscapes of Ohio by mid March and are in full swing by April. Temperatures range from 40 through 70 degrees F through the spring months. This season often brings the most rainfall, before the drying heat of summer. Summer can be extremely hot and humid in the interior of Ohio. Temperatures reach above 90 degrees F frequently through July and August. Cooler fall temperatures don't reach the region until mid to late September. This is a pleasant time to visit as the air is crisp with low humidity levels. Ohio's annual precipitation usually reaches slightly above 50 inches.
