Located in the beautiful hills of southeastern Ohio in Vinton County - Near Athens, Logan, and Hocking Hills State Park
Home Cottages Camping Events History Lake Links 
Mountain Biking Contact Us Nature Center Ohio State Parks ODNR Home Jackson Lake Lake Alma
Geo-Cache Print Park Map Friends of 
Lake Hope		 Directions "Quick Guide"  Join Email List Backpacking

 

Lake Hope Nature Center

Lake Hope State Park is truly a nature lover's dream. In the forest-draped hills, the observant visitor can discover the abundant natural resources of this wild and scenic park.

Although most of the forest was cut to fuel the iron smelting industry that once flourished here, the land has recovered and supports a magnificent, second-growth forest. Oak and hickory are the dominant trees while the woodland floor harbors a fascinating assemblage of shrubs and wildflowers. The yellow lady's slipper, one of the rarest and most showy orchids, blooms in secluded hollows. Other spring wildflowers such as blue-eyed mary, bloodroot and wild geranium can be found in abundance.

Deer and wild turkeys are often seen in a number of park locations. Of the many animals inhabiting the park, none is as popular as the beaver. As nature's dam builders, the beavers are found in numbers and can be observed near the quiet inlets of the lake.

Live animal displays have been a tradition at Lake Hope State Park for many years.   Most of the animals kept on display are only kept for one season and then released.   Some remain as permanent residents due to their friendly nature and use for programming.  We feel that providing "up-close" and "hand's on" study will promote appreciation, respect, and protection of our native wildlife. paws (1).gif (1509 bytes)

Click on the "critter" names below to learn more about the animals currently on display at the Lake Hope Nature Center.  For a larger image of the critter, click on the small pictures next to the text.

Our most popular display allows visitors to view and carefully handle Eastern Box Turtles,

Our aquatic turtle display includes a Snapping Turtle,  Musk or "Stinkpot" Turtle, and a Midland Painted Turtle

The rocky and wooded hillsides of Lake Hope State Park provide the proper habitat to support the VENOMOUS Northern Copperhead Snake.  in September of 1998, a captive female gave live-birth to seven young at the nature center.  The mother was released along with the 7  young snakes.   We keep a captive adult to show visitors the identifying field marks of the venomous copperhead.  

Timber Rattlesnakes at Lake Hope?....Probably.  Click here for more info!

Black Kingsnake - "Checkers" (named for her checkerboard belly) lived at the Nature Center from April, 1995-May 1999 when she was freed.   She (we know  this because she laid eggs that first spring) provided close-up views for over 10,000 visitors and Checkers has now been documented as one of the northernmost Black Kingsnakes ever caught!  Checkers was replaced in 2000 with another Black Kingsnake caught in Vinton County.


Located in the beautiful hills of southeastern Ohio in Vinton County - Near Athens, Logan, and Hocking Hills State Park
Home Cottages Camping Events History Lake Links 
Mountain Biking Contact Us Nature Center Ohio State Parks ODNR Home Jackson Lake Lake Alma
Geo-Cache Print Park Map Friends of 
Lake Hope		 Directions "Quick Guide"  Join Email List Backpacking