We offer tours of the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park year-round. See below for additional information and pricing.
Self-Guided Tours
Visitors are always welcome to walk the trails throughout the park. Our parking lot connects directly to the Olentangy Trail via two paved paths so you have the freedom to choose your route and make it as long or as short as you’d like. We also have two unimproved trails on the property: one that wraps around the experimental wetlands and one that meanders through the bottomland hardwood forest. The trail that wraps around the wetlands is accessible just past the two, experimental wetlands and the trail that runs through the forest is accessible via the Olentangy Trail. Note that these trails can be muddy depending on time of year and precipitation. You will find several educational signs along the trails that provide information on park biodiversity, the types of wetlands present, and past research. We are currently working to update our signage and create an accessible park exploration tool for our website.
Please note: School groups, college courses, and groups larger than 10 must coordinate their visit with ORWRP staff.
Scheduled, Guided Tours by ORWRP Staff
Tours for groups up to 30 are available year round, Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm, for $5/person. This fee supports restoration efforts in the park (e.g., honeysuckle removal and native planting) and covers staff time.
Tours typically last 45 minutes to 1 hour and include discussion of park history, the importance of wetlands and our status as a RAMSAR wetland, common wildlife found in the park and their habitat, and current and past research. Visitors conclude the tour by getting to walk out onto the experimental wetlands via our famous boardwalks.
To request a tour, please fill out the form below. Tours are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, we encourage folks to submit their request at least 30 days prior to your requested tour date to ensure staff availability. Once submitted, our outreach coordinator will follow up via email within 1-2 business days to confirm your request. We look forward to hosting you!
Note: This form is for TOUR requests only. If you would like to book a room, K-12 programming, or submit a field trip request for a college course, please navigate to the appropriate page and request form or email us at water@osu.edu.