Siebenthaler Fen

Siebenthaler Fen offers an accessible 1 mile trail with many opportunities for wildlife viewing. The unique boardwalk is made from recycled plastic and fiberglass, and includes an observation tower for a birds-eye view of the wetlands.

Trail Length:
1 Mile

Trail Description:

Flat boardwalk is wheelchair friendly with turnouts. Stairs to overlook.

About Siebenthaler Fen

In August of 1995 the Siebenthaler Company sold this 130-acre property to The Nature Conservancy, who then turned it over to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. It is part of the Beaver Creek Wildlife Area. BCWA volunteers built the recycled plastic and fiberglass boardwalk, the tower and kiosk, and the Division of Wildlife completed the wooden boardwalk. Bob Siebenthaler donated funds for Nan’s Tower in memory of his sister.

Siebenthaler Fen is enjoyed year-round by school groups, birdwatchers and wildflower enthusiasts. A boardwalk takes you past wet woods, the fen, Beaver Creek, the information kiosk and observation tower.

The trail is accessible by wheelchair with broad areas to turn around. Siebenthaler Fen is a hunting area September through January. Visitors should wear bright colors during hunting season.

Gallery

Location Description

Parking area located on Fairground Rd just east of Beaver Valley Rd.

Coordinates 39.738198, -84.011638
Trail Length 1 Mile
Accessibility

What to see

Plant diversity is high along the boardwalk, and flowering peaks from July through September. Look for Marsh Marigolds and Skunk Cabbage in late winter/early spring, dogwoods and iris in May, Queen of the Prairie in July, Asters in August, Bottle Gentians in September. Fen-sedge meadows dominate the loop portion and wet woods line the boardwalk leading to the loop. Butterflies abound all spring and summer. Birds include Yellow Warbler, Common Yellow Throat, Willow Flycatcher, Sora Rail, Eastern Towhee, House and Carolina Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Redwing Blackbird, Yellow Shafted Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Chat, Song and Swamp Sparrows, and many more.

Amenities

Wetland Fact

Fens are peatlands fed by mineral-rich springs oozing up from groundwater. Water does not usually cover the surface but runs quickly to Beaver Creek. The pH is a little over 7 (7 is neutral). The peat, derived from sedges, is about 8 feet deep. Since 1988 biologists have identified over 470 wetland species here. Such biodiversity provides a genetic bank potentially useful in crop improvement and medicine development.

Ownership

Ohio Division of Wildlife

Map View

Pearl’s Fen

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Siebenthaler Fen

Siebenthaler Fen offers an accessible 1 mile trail with many opportunities for wildlife viewing. The unique boardwalk is made from recycled plastic and fiberglass, and includes an observation tower for a birds-eye view of the wetlands.

1 Mile
Handicap Accessible
Learn More

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