Self-Guided Opportunities

Want to learn interesting facts on the trails or discover fun activities to guide your hikes? You won't need a naturalist or leader with our self-guided opportunities.  Borrow a children's pack or pick up a self-guided brochure to enhance your experience on the trails. Then explore all the other opportunities offered daily at the Rowe Visitor Center.

CNC's Newest Self-Guided Opportunities:
Letterboxing and Geocaching

Letterboxing allows young explorers to test their navigation skills on a quest to locate hidden treasures. Stop by the front desk to gather your clues, then search for the watertight containers containing stamps and a logbook.  Geocaching requires a longer hike and the use of a GPS (Global Positioning System) to find a "cache." Plug in the coordinates and use the GPS like a compass to get within 10 feet of the cache, then find the container and record your find. Learn more about letterboxing and geocaching (PDF)!

Self-Guided Trail Brochures

History Hike - Take a hike that spans more than a century; from Abner Hollow Pioneer Cabin, built in the early 1800’s to the Reservoir Pond dug in the 1950’s. You will explore the rich history of the Krippendorfs, the Groesbecks and everything in between. This is a perfect hike for the history buff or anyone interested in learning more about Cincinnati Nature Center and its roots. View the printable History Hike Brochure (PDF).

Edge Trail - Looking for an easy trail to hike in just under an hour? Then the Edge Trail is right for you. Use the self-guided brochure to explore three habitats; field, forest and pond as you walk this .6 mile loop around Powel Crosley Lake. During your hike you will see a bird blind, Marsh Pond, and Powel Crosley Lake.  View the printable Edge Trail Brochure (PDF).

Geology Trail - Are you interested in rocks and fossils? Then the Geology Trail is right for you. On this trail you may see rocks and fossils from the Ordovician Period, including Bryozoans, Cephalopods and many more. Please do not remove rocks and fossils - leave them for others to see. This trail is 1.2 miles and has a CNC rating of “Moderate.”  View the printable Geology Trail Brochure (PDF).

Tree Trail - CNC can help you practice identification and keying skills. Follow this trail to identify 15 of Ohio’s native trees. This trail begins right outside the front doors of the Visitor Center, takes you past Krippendorf Lodge and loops through the Herb Garden and back. Pick up this guide and learn to identify some native trees in Ohio using a Dichotomous Key, for either summer or Winter I.D.  View the printable Tree Trail Brochure (PDF).

Spring Wildflower Folklore Trail - Do you want to learn more about wildflowers and the folklore behind them? Then the wildflower folklore trail is perfect for you. Walk the Wildflower Trail, a one mile moderately rated trail that will take you down a beautiful hillside of a mature forest. While you are walking through the woods, be sure to keep a look out for signs describing the numerous wildflowers that you may encounter along the trail.  Signs along the trail will guide you on this hike, no brochure necessary!

"Nature Calls" Tours - Use your cell phone to hear a naturalist-recorded message about features along the trails. There will be a number of locations where signs will provide a number to call for instant information. Each season, "Nature Calls" tours will move to new locations. There is no fee, but you may be charged by your cell phone company for minutes used (depending on your cell phone package).

Children’s Packs and Kits

Explorer Pack* - Does your young naturalist spot hawks and deer before you? Then the Explorer Pack is a perfect fit for your little explorer. It’s equipped with binoculars, view finder (4X), journal to record observations, bug box, magnifying glass, compass and identification sheets from the four habitats as well as plant and insect bingo. Ages 3-8.

Art Pack* - Is your child a mini Michelangelo or young Rembrandt? Why not encourage their creativity with an Art Pack? When you check out an Art Pack you will receive colored pencils, crayons, watercolors and a brush, art paper and a sit-upon. Children can capture their observations and preserve their memories with art! Ages 4-12.

Pond Study Kit* - Ever wonder what lives below the surface at Matt’s Pond? Well, here’s your chance to get up-close-and-personal with the creatures of Matt’s Pond. Stop at the front desk and check out a Pond Study Kit today. You will receive a net, collection bin, cups, Pond Life and Pond Watchers Books as well as an identification sheet of what you may find. Collecting is only allowed at Matt’s Pond, so be sure to wear your official Pond Study Permit while collecting. Ages 6-14.

Other Opportunities for Fun and Learning

Binoculars* - Do you love nature but have a hard time observing animals? Then why not bring the animals to you; with binoculars. Watch birds eat from our feeders or see deer up close as they search the forest for food. Whatever you want to observe, binoculars will bring it closer. Borrow these from the Front Desk Naturalist.

Fish and Turtle Feeding - Powel Crosley Lake is home to a number of fish and turtles and you have the opportunity to see them up close. Come to the Visitor Center and purchase a small amount of fish and turtle food for 25 cents. Who knows, you might even get lucky and see one of our snapping turtles that call the lake home. Please note - for the health of the animals and the lake, no outside food may be fed. Feeding is allowed from April 1st-October 31st.

Scavenger Hunts - Learn about the season's theme with an exciting scavenger hunt. This summer, learn about the past and present geology and naturalist history at CNC. Stop by the front desk to receive your mission, and when you have finished your sheet, return for a prize.

Wildflower Tubes - Did you see some wildflowers on your hike, but weren’t sure what they were? Observe the wildflower tubes located outside the front doors of the Visitor Center. Throughout the season, you can examine a wide variety of common native as well as non-native species; from early bloomers like Winter Aconite to spring Daffodils to Colchicum in the fall. In addition to the tubes, visit the Wildflower display boards in the lobby for more help with identification.

*A ‘deposit’ of membership card, driver’s license or keys is required.