Oak Openings Preserve Metropark Photo Guide
Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, more fondly known by locals as “Oak Openings” or “Oak O”, is a 5,000-acre nature preserve nestled in Swanton and Whitehouse, Ohio.
This incredible park boasts over 50 miles of winding trails, multiple campsite areas, an event center, a cottage, and even a new treehouse village addition. It’s perfect for a day spent walking, running, biking, picnicking, and camping out. Over the years it has also become a wildly popular photo destination due to its massive size and variety of natural habitats. Oak Openings is so beautiful and versatile, it was named the number #1 pick for outdoor locations in our Toledo, Ohio Engagement Photo Guide.
The Top 5 Best Oak Openings Photo Locations
Along the same mile stretch of road you can find a patch of tall red pines, savanna, dense forest areas, a lake, and even sand dunes! Since it’s so large and on the outskirts of the city, you can explore with privacy and create a more comfortable environment for taking photographs. Here are our picks for the top 5 best photography spots at Oak Openings.
Click a dot to explore the area. Maps courtesy of Toledo Metroparks.
"THE SPOT":
The Spot is a famous photography location in Oak Openings that almost every local photographer has been to. Planted in the 1960s, the red pines are in their own small plot surrounded by lush green patches of oak trees. After being partly destroyed by foul weather, they give off a ‘dead’ look that nearly everyone finds charming. Find directions to The Spot here.
OAK FOREST AREA:
Directly next to The Spot is a dense forest area filled with oak trees. It’s lush, green, and gorgeous.
"GRASSY SAVANNA":
Continuing right down Girdam Road from the Spot lies a section of grassy plains that looks like it was transported here from Kansas. This spot looks romantic in every season and every lighting.
Here it is in the Fall/Spring:
And here it is in the Summer:
FIELDS, TREES, & WINDING ROAD:
As you keep going down the street, there is a section of windy road that is stunningly picturesque. It’s not every day you see a windy road in Ohio AND there is something so poetic and symbolic about taking photos on a road - don’t forget to obey all safety laws!
MALLARD LAKE:
If you love water, Oak Openings offers an aquatic environment too! (Although you can’t swim in it.) In the summer months, be sure to bring bug spray with you!
In addition to the natural beauty of the landscape, Oak Openings has the unique ability to look equally stunning throughout each season.
Snow-capped conifers in winter, golden yellows in the spring, rich greens in summer, and a rainbow of crisp colors during fall adorn this park with majesty. We’ve compiled a collection of our favorite photography sessions at Oak Openings that showcase the Preserve’s beauty through each season - from January to December.
Find more information about Oak Openings and an interactive trail map here.
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