Can I…? Ohio nature preserve rules

When a trial or trail system is present, no person shall leave the trail or trail system, except with written permission of the chief of the division.

Areas and facilities provided for general public use are open from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset unless otherwise posted.

In state nature preserves or natural areas that are open to the general public by access permit only, persons must receive written permission from the chief of the division to enter upon said areas and must carry said written permission while on the area and present it upon request.

(A) No person shall bring any animal or pet into any nature preserve or natural area.

(B) Exceptions: A service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (28 C.F.R. part 35, subpart A, 35.104) used by blind, deaf, mobility or emotionally impaired persons; hunting dogs during lawful hunts on posted area; domestic cats and dogs within the designated parking lots of nature preserves or natural areas; and within Blackhand gorge state nature preserve limited to the paved trail designated as the Blackhand trail (a dedicated state recreational trail).

Except with written permission from the chief of the division or the chief's authorized agent, which must requested not less than thirty days in advance:

(B) It is unlawful for any person to launch, land, alight, or otherwise operate, any unmanned aerial craft, including but not limited to any drone, model aircraft, unmanned aircraft system, or other flying machine capable of achieving flight without carrying a human pilot or operator while in flight in the airspace over or within the boundaries of any state nature preserve or natural area.

No person shall picnic on any lands or waters within any nature preserve or natural area except in the immediate parking area.

No person shall camp or stay overnight within any nature preserve or natural area.

(A) No person shall kindle or use a fire in any nature preserve or natural area.

No person is permitted to collect, remove, injure, deface, destroy or otherwise disturb ice, soil, sand, gravel, rocks, fossils, minerals, plants, plant materials, animals or any other substance within any nature preserve or natural area under the supervision and control of the department or its designated custodian except as provided in this rule and in rule 1501:17-3-04 of the Administrative Code.

No person is permitted to place or scatter salt, grain, feed or other substance capable of luring, enticing or attracting wild animals and birds on any nature preserve or natural area.

No person shall swim or wade in any pond, lake, stream, or any other body of water within the confines of any nature preserve or natural area, or swim or dive to enter other public waters from any nature preserve or natural area.

No person shall embark or disembark from any watercraft within the confines of any nature preserve or natural area, except in areas provided for such use. Boating is permitted on any navigable stream provided that entrance to the stream is made upstream or downstream from the nature preserve or natural area. Boating shall be prohibited on any lake, pond or other body of water whose entirety is within the confines of any nature preserve or natural area, unless written permission is obtained from the chief of the division or his appointed agent or is otherwise permitted in the articles of dedication.

No person shall operate a vehicle or bicycle within any nature preserve or natural area except over and upon roads, streets, driveways or parking lots which are designated or posted for such purposes.

(A) No person shall ride, drive, lead, or keep a saddle horse or other animal used for locomotion in any nature preserve or natural area except on roads, streets, and driveways provided for motor vehicles.

No person shall engage in any rappelling or climbing activity either with or without specialized gear for such activity within the confines of any nature preserve or natural area.

Persons may hunt, pursue, trap, catch or attempt to hunt, pursue, trap or catch any wild animals or fish on such lands or in waters within a nature preserve or natural area under the supervision and control of the department or its designated custodian, only in designated areas, where provided for in the articles of dedication, deed, legal binding agreement or in designated management hunts conducted by the division, with written permission from the chief of the division, and provided such is done in accordance with the provision of the Revised Code and wildlife orders then in effect.

No person shall bring into, possess, carry, serve, or drink alcoholic beverages within any nature preserve or natural area.

No person shall park any vehicle on any nature preserve or natural area except within areas designated for such use by the department or its appointed agent from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset unless otherwise posted.

(A) No person or persons shall conduct any public meeting or event upon the lands or waters owned or administered by the division without first obtaining a permit from the chief of the division upon application made not less than thirty days prior to the day of the proposed meeting or event.