Cincinnati Nature Center

It's beautiful and peaceful! There's plenty of walking trails, beautiful untouched woodland and abundant wildlife.There is an educational building on site and school children take field trips here. This has always been a favorite place for me. I spent a lot of time on trails here as a young child/teenager with my family. Just the thought of this place brings a smile to my face. I still have a pencil filled with colorful rocks that I've had for decades. I attended a wedding here this weekend. We had horrible winds and rains from hurricane Helene. We encountered downed power lines and trees and several road detours and closures in order to make it to the wedding in the bad weather. The staff used mops and brooms to brush out the rains that was making it under the tent at the Kriffendorf Lodge. They kept the floor fairly dry most of the night, enabling some dancing. The lodge is beautiful and great place for a wedding! But if I had any complaint it would be the unfriendly staff. They could not crack a smile to anyone. They were so unfriendly that I heard quite a few guests mention how unfriendly/unwelcoming or rude the staff were. This was not an overly rowdy wedding. Everyone was well dressed and well behaved. The staff just all acted like they hated their jobs and people. Not the greatest people to have at a joyous occasion.

I have been a member here for over 15 years. I am not a hiker, but I LOVE walking in nature. Especially with my husband and dog(s). I've taken my 4 dogs (that were mine) here, plus others I've cared for, over the years and they all get something out of it. My current beagle boy, Henry, gets the most out of it because he didn't get much fun with his previous owner. My husband likes the plant sale. I like their gift shop, even though I don't get many chances to go in and purchase from them.

We have been members at the nature center for several years, and although we don't make it there as much as we'd like, every visit we do make is wonderful. The trails range from very easy to challenging, and you can weave trails together to create your own hike to suite your abilities and goals. The trails are well marked and safe, and give visitors the chance to escape into nature for a bit. Daily rates for non-members are also available, which is nice for those who can't visit enough to justify a membership.

Loved seeing another side of the nature center at the Groesbeck Estate for a friend's wedding. So lovely to be in nature and see another cool hidden gem in Cincinnati! Staff was incredible and helpful and roads were easy to navigate

WOW!! I have been trying to hit some of the major parks in Cincinnati, as I have made hiking one of my goals in 2023. The entire time I was in this park, I kept questioning that I was actually in Milford. I have been driving 40 to 45 minutes to find nice woods to hike through and have landed at various metro parks north of Cincinnati (huge fan of Ceasar Creek State Park, Sugarcreek, Germantown... but the common denominator is that all of these parks are a long drive from Loveland). Enter Cincinnati Nature Center: only 23 minutes via 275 and right in the heart of Milford/Tealtown area. On my first time visiting this park since I was a kid, I decided to hike the perimeter. It's about 10 miles and does a big circle through the various acres of the park. It does hit lots of the trails that are marked within the nature center limits, but I definitely had to download the AllTrails app to figure out my way in navigating the perimeter (it was easier, although I was handed a hard copy map at the welcome center too). Unlike the metro parks, the perimeter trail is not marked by a certain color. It picks up all of the other trails that are already marked and combines them together to make about a 10 mile loop. The only thing that I did not get to was the 3 miles across the street from the nature center. This trail allows you to cross Tealtown Road and wind around a 3 mile pass across the street. With that mileage, an entire perimeter walk would be about 13 miles--in MILFORD. It was a cold winter day, as you can see in the pictures. Lots of brown, but the blue sky and sun helped, for sure. I loved the creek crossings and the marsh area. They even had a neat area called the 'boneyard' with information about different animals. I also loved anything with the wooden path elevated above the water. Those major viewpoints were within the first 2 miles around the nature center. You don't have to go too far to catch those highlights--and it's worth not missing!! I really contemplated wearing my gym shoes versus my hiking boots, as sometimes my boots can feel heavy with a 10+ mile hike. I am so glad I opted for the hiking boots, as it was muddy! I have a feeling some of those trails stay pretty muddy, as there were rocks significantly placed in some areas to help navigate the mud.Good news/Bad news: you have to pay $10 to enter the park. I definitely think it is entirely worth the $10. A single membership for the entire year is $45. You have to pay about $70 if you want to bring a guest or the guest would have to just pay $10 to enter. I really do think they use that money to maintain the trails, as I felt like the park was very clean and well-kept. I definitely think it would be worth a year-long membership for $45. If you think you would at least go 4 to 5 times within the year, it's worth it. I would really enjoy seeing this park throughout the various seasons--I'm sure it looks entirely different with green on those trees!! Highly recommend getting out to explore this park!

Always outstanding - I mean, it's nature! But as a facility, it's pretty great. Well tended and documented trails, nice visitor center and places for classes (haven't tried one yet). Great little shop inside. It's popular, so you will see others on the trails, but not so many that you forget you are wandering around in the forest, communing with nature. Plenty of parking. Definitely get the season pass if you are local and if you are not, take a hike through the forest. It's with it.

Soooooo many people have recommended their hiking trails to me (which I will have to come back during warmer months to experience) and I have been wanting to visit, so when a friend of mine told me about their "Light in the Forest" event, I was totally down for it. They had a really great path that not only led you through their trails to see some of the artists that displayed their light work, but they had indoor stopping zones where you could warm back up and do a little holiday shopping : ) . Each light display was very unique and a couple of my favorites were the twinkling forest and the light up box on the lake. The twinkling lights looked like they were being projected from somewhere that you could not see and covered a good number of trees that it seemed very magical! The luminary box that I can only describe as looking like a very large nightlight floating on the lake would change colors and reflect against the water. For any holiday activity, this is definitely one that you should check out. : )

Yes, yes, YES!!! I was blown away by my recent first visit here and it's currently pinned as my favorite place in Cincinnati. I can't wait to go back, I'll make a point to go back, and if I lived here I would one hundred percent be a member. Lucky for me, I came with a friend that happens to have one of their annual memberships. At roughly $75 a year, he gets endless visits AND can bring a friend. To get the basic, boring stuff out of the way I'll go ahead and tell you that it is gated, there is plenty of parking, the place is HUGE, there's beautiful venues hidden throughout, and there's a crap ton of signage, so you can't get lost. Now, on to the good stuff...Did I mention how big this place is yet? There were so many different trails, so many small bodies of water, so many spots to just stop and admire, and SO MANY turtles. I can't remember which trail was my favorite but I can definitely describe it to you. There was a waterfall, the trail went up and down a lot, and there was a brand new bridge built. It reminded me most of being fully immersed in the wilderness while the others felt a little more crafted. Again, so many freakin turtles. It was hilarious. I loved the amount of wildlife I saw. The little bird sanctuary type spot was adorable. I don't know what it is but as I've gotten older I really do like watching birds! I saw a giant blue bird, plenty of cardinals, and little finches. Tons of squirrels and frogs too.

The Cincinnati Nature Center is such a gem and well-worth the membership, or a stop by at least once or twice a year! I had initially learned of the Center while searching for wedding venues, but hadn't really checked out many of the trails.While the Krippendorf Lodge is beautiful, getting into the belly of trails revealed much more! I had no idea of how extensive of a place this was, and was amazed by how well-kept everything was and attention to detail in regards to safety, especially with COVID-19 measures in place. The space wasn't overcrowded and was a perfect outlet to visit when other things were shut down. There's also plenty of space to hammock and chill out. I really enjoyed the space as many of the trails are heavily wooded and you aren't baking in the summer heat.I love this little sanctuary and can't wait to come back and bring others to experience! I am definitely looking forward to being able to sit in the bird blind and take in the birds chowing down on some food.

I'm not only a member of the park but I have been coming there the past several years. It was a place that brought me peace. Whenever I was having a bad day or feeling a little down, I would come there and leave feeling as though I didn't have a care in the world until...September 17th, wanting to have such a day as fore mentioned, I'm waiting in line behind 2 vehicles to enter. I notice that they 2 are members because they displayed their membership and the gentleman at the window scanned them. It's now my turn so I hold out my membership and he proceeds to take it instead of just scanning it the same as he did the 2 earlier vehicles. He then asked for my ID. At that moment, I felt as those I shouldn't have a membership. I felt degraded, embarrassed, angry, confused, deflated and any hope of me trying to have a peaceful day was gone just in that moment.I proceeded to find a parking spot and feeling somewhat defeated. I walk inside to the visitor center wanting to explain what just happened to me. There was a young lady that I spoke with and she somewhat dismissed what I was trying to explain by stating.. "Yes we ask for ID of all members" as to which I replied "That's not true" "I just witnessed 2 white people show their memberships, then being scanned and gaining entry without showing their ID's".Her reply, what's your name? I gave her my name then stated "I wouldn't expect you to understand". I can assure you that I will never come there or any other park you may have! I will spend as much time necessary to tell all of my friends and family about my experience. I will discourage any and everyone I know from coming there. As a police officer I would never make anyone I come in contact with feel the way I felt today. I don't expect anyone reading this to understand or have any sympathy for how something like this effects me as a Black Woman. I truly thought I was a part of something to brag about, be proud to be a member of and be excited to share my experiences there with my friends and family. I am truly saddened and now ashamed. As stated above I don't expect anyone to understand or care. I simply wanted to let someone know that today, I was reminded of what it's like to be ME!