Directions and HOurs
The Norma Johnson Center is located outside of Dover, Ohio, 3 miles west of I-77 Dover Exit 83 on State Route 39. Please see the trails below for trailhead locations. The Center is open to the public 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. We believe access to nature is a right, not a privilege, so the trails are free and open to all.
For more information on the Norma Johnson Center, please call 330-365-3278.
Rules and Regulations
Center Rules
- Do not pick plants
- Stay on maintained trails
- Take out what you take in
- Do not harass wildlife
- No motorized vehicles or bicycles on trails
- Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome, though some trails are not suitable for them.
- Park only in parking lot
- No littering, smoking, or alcohol
- No Fires of any kind
- No Camping
Pet Rules
- Pets must be on a leash
- Clean up after pets
Trash receptacles located near each trail head
- Conservation – Trash bins at Picnic Shelter and a dumpster is located near the Restroom
- Preservation – Beside Port-a-john at Yellow Pole Barn
- Johnson – Trash can at kiosk
Fishing / Water Rules
- Anyone 16 years of age or older will have a fishing license and all Ohio fishing rules and regulations apply
- No one under 16 years of age is permitted to be fishing without adult supervision
- Fishing is Catch and Release Only
- No fishing after dark
- No Boating
- No Swimming
- No Ice Skating
- No Ice Fishing
The Tuscarawas County Parks Department reserve the right to issue citations on a case-by-case basis.
Birders and naturalists
e-bird
eBird is the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed each year by eBirders around the world. eBird is available on desktop and mobile devices. A collaborative enterprise with hundreds of partner organizations, thousands of regional experts, and hundreds of thousands of users, eBird is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Click the button below to see what birds have been spotted at the NJC, and create an account to contribute to the data, or just track your sightings.
i-naturalist
Similar to eBird, iNaturalist is a platform for citizen science around the world. Also available on desktop and mobile interfaces, users can photograph plants or animals to identify and catalog them. iNaturalist can also be used to contribute citizen science data, and crowd source information about unfamiliar species. iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.
Click the button below to see what has been recorded at the NJC, and create an account to contribute your own data. You can also use the map to explore species from around the world.
trails
conservation loop
The Conservation Loop offers hikers wooded and open trails, bluebird box trails, conservation land labs and installed practices (brown signs), a pond, three walking bridges, a suspension bridge, meadow, wetland, amphitheater, floating observation deck, clubhouse, and observation blind. Behind the kiosk along the creek trail users can enjoy our newly built bird viewing area. An accessible trail is presently being built to the Conservation Ponds newly built accessible fishing deck. This part of the property was not reclaimed after coal mining, so high walls and coal spoil can be found during your hike.
This trailhead is located off of County Road 139 (Old SR 39) at the end of Conservation Drive. When traveling west from Dover pass the main entrance and take the next right onto County Road 139 (Old SR 39) then take the first right onto Conservation Drive. This road will dead end into the NJC parking lot. The Conservation loop is 1.23 miles in length. Also in this location is the restroom, picnic shelter and our historic red barn. A hitching post and bike rack are provided for your convenience in the trees on the right of the lane.
When hiking, refer to the RED Parking symbol to find your way back to the red barn parking area on Conservation Drive and Conservation kiosk.
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 40.512382, -81.544111
johnson loop
It has been said that this section is the best kept secret at the Norma Johnson Center. The Johnson Loop offers visitors two ponds, open fields, wooded sections, blackberry bushes galore, and Norma’s favorite spot. While hiking along the trails determine your favorite area and decide if Norma had the same choice.
This trailhead is located on Hidden Hollow Lane on the south side of SR 39. The Johnson Loop trail is 1.31 miles long. The parking area is located along Hidden Hollow Lane.
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 40.510735, -81.554379
PRESERVATION loop
While exploring the hills, scenic views and open areas of the Preserve, hikers will notice different groves of younger trees. Most of these trees were planted by the Johnson family. This part of the property was reclaimed after the mining due to the Reclamation Act in 1977. There are two ponds located in this loop. One is behind the yellow pole barn and the other is at the end of the Maple Trail. A newly placed accessible trail, from the parking lot to the accessible fishing dock, allows easier access for those with limitations to gain access to the pond behind the yellow pole barn . A handicapped port-a-john is available at this location during the months of April-November. A hitching post and bike rack is located in the parking lot at this location for those needing this amenity.
The trailhead is located approximately 3 miles west of Dover, Ohio and 6 miles east of Sugarcreek at the Main Entrance off of State Route 39 by the Yellow Pole Barn, hikers can experience the 1.23 mile Preservation Loop.
When hiking refer to the YELLOW Parking symbol to find your way back to the yellow pole barn located at the Preservation Parking area and kiosk.
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 40.511219, -81.538883