Cooperrider-Kent Bog State Nature Preserve protects a small but unusual remnant of Ohio's glacial past. The boardwalk leads into a floating mat of sphagnum, tamarack, and bog plants that feel more northern than the surrounding suburban landscape.
It is a quiet, low-key visit rather than a dramatic hike, but that is part of its charm. Bring patience and look for the details: pitcher plants, orchids in season, and the way the ground changes under the boardwalk. For Kent, it adds a different kind of stop beyond the university and downtown.