Enjoy a peaceful outdoor escape at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm. Part of the Summit Metro Parks, the Nature Realm is located in Akron and offers many great features including: hiking trails, rock & herb garden, 110 foot suspension bridge, multiple ponds and an abundance of wildlife. It’s a great destinations for all ages.
Things to do at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
We recommending packing a picnic lunch or snacks so you can spend several hours at the park. When you arrive, first stop at the nature center to check out the interactive exhibits and to find out if there are any special programs taking place. The naturalists are always very helpful and friendly.
Tip: The nature center offers educational programs where you can learn about the animals that live in the area. Our of our favorites is when they offer visitors the opportunity to hand feeding chickadees.
Next head out and enjoy hiking the trails inside the park. There are trails for everyone including paved trails which are stroller and wheelchair friendly and traditional dirt trails that wind through the woods. If you’re able, we suggest either the Cherry Lane or Fernwood Loop trial as they both lead to the 110-foot-long suspension bridge.
Tip: If you enjoy hiking in the Summit Metro Parks, be sure to sign-up for their seasonal hiking sprees. They typically offer one in the Spring and one in the Fall. Participates who complete the series of hikes earn a reward. Spree rewards are FREE to Summit County residents. Out-of-county residents pay a small fee to receive their reward.
F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Scavenger Hunt
It’s time for an adventure! Can you solve the final mystery phrase and come out victorious at the end?!
Have a blast as you follow the map on a quest through F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm. Your team will look for clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges all while having fun!
Purchase your scavenger hunt now, and start your adventure any time!
While you’re hiking you’ll pass multiple ponds. Wildlife is abundant at the park and fish, turtles and tadpoles can often be spotted in the ponds. Take a moment to stop and see if you can find any.
In addition, make a point to visit the rock and herb garden. The garden is beautifully constructed and each plants is labeled which makes it easy and fun to learn about the herbs as you stroll through the garden. The water feature with the waterfall and small pond is beautiful.
Just past the rock and herb garden is an outdoor nature education area where many of their programs are held. Visitors are encouraged to check out the eco-friendly greenhouse that was made with over 2,000 plastic bottles, the raised gardens and the insect habitat.
Hiking Trails at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
Cherry Lane Trail
Easy to navigate loops trail. Highlight is the 110-foot-long suspension bridge. Connects to the Fernwood Loop trail.
Distance: .6 miles
Difficulty (per trail owner): Easy
Fernwood Loop
Overlaps the Cherry Lane Trail and extends the hike another .3 miles through the woods.
Distance: .9 miles
Difficulty (per trail owner): Easy
Seneca Trail
Mostly unpaved loop that goes through the woods and an open prairie. Portions of the trail may be considered strenuous due to hilly terrain.
Distance: 1.4 miles
Difficulty (per trail owner): Moderate
Tips for Your Visit to F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
- Many of the trails are paved which makes pushing a stroller easy and they are wheelchair friendly too. Toward the back of the park there are several gravel and dirt trails through the woods. Want to extend your hike? Make it longer by connecting to the Mingo Trail in Sand Run Metro Park
- Stopping at the herb and rock garden is a must. The water feature with the waterfall and small pond is beautiful. All the plants are labeled as well.
- Fish, turtles and tadpoles can often be found in the ponds. Make sure to stop and look to see if you can find them.
- The nature center offers educational programs where you can learn about the animals that live in the area. Our of our favorites is when they offer visitors the opportunity to hand feeding chickadees.
- Dogs aren’t permitted at this metro park so you’ll have to leave them at home this time.
- Planning to hike? Consider signing up for the Summit Metro Parks seasonal hiking sprees. Participates who complete the series of hikes earn a reward. Spree rewards are FREE to Summit County residents. Out-of-county residents pay a small fee to receive their reward.
- If you play Pokemon Go, there are many pokestops and gyms throughout the park. It’s a pretty common place in the area to go for Pokemon Community Days.
F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
1828 Smith Rd, Akron, OH 44313
(330) 867-5511
Website
F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Scavenger Hunt
It’s time for an adventure! Can you solve the final mystery phrase and come out victorious at the end?!
Have a blast as you follow the map on a quest through F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm. Your team will look for clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges all while having fun!
Purchase your scavenger hunt now, and start your adventure any time!
