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Penitentiary Glen Reservation features 424 acres of forest, fields, wetlands, and over 7.5 miles of hiking trails. The park is named for the deep gorge that divides it, which is easy to get into and difficult to get out of. Naturalists lead exciting programs year-round including nature-inspired events, programs, and classes. Picnic at the sheltered pavilion and listen to the sounds of nature.
Discover native Ohio wildlife at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center.
 Park Amenities
Accessible facilities, picnic area with grills, All People's Trail, drinking water, restrooms, hiking trails, cross-country skiing, Nature Center, Wildlife Center, The Nature Store gift shop, and a bridle trail.
Directions
Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for about one mile. Turn left onto Rt. 615. Turn right (east) onto Kirtland-Chardon Road and continue for two miles.
Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located on the right (south) side of the road.
Shelter Rental
Call the Lake Metroparks Registration Department at 440-358-7275.
Lake Shore Live Steamers • The Gorge • The Nature Store • Birthday Parties
Park History • X-Plorer Packs • Links
The Nature Center houses hands-on exhibits, art shows, an award winning "Window on Wildlife," and
The Nature Store.
Hours
Nature Center: 9 am to 5 pm
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Wildlife Center: 9 am to 5 pm
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
The Nature Store: 9 am to 5 pm
Free daily admission.
Certain evening events and programs require registration and/or fee.
The Nature Center is a great place for seminars, showers, reunions, holiday gatherings, and meetings. For more information, call Lake Metroparks Development & Corporate Services at (440) 352-2913.
Snowshoeing at Penitentiary Glen
- Nearly seven miles of trails.
- Snow accumulation and conditions will determine snowshoe rental availability.
- Experience the Peppermint Trail, a quarter-mile loop that is just right for beginners and families and includes a complimentary peppermint stick for all.
- Snowshoe Lodge in the Nature Center. Come in to relax and enjoy a cup of steaming hot chocolate, coffee or tea.
- Snowshoe rentals are available 9 am to 4 pm daily beginning November 8 through March 4 on an hourly and daily basis (weather dependent).
- Rentals are available on a first-come basis and cannot be reserved; rentals end one hour before closing.
- Hours for rentals on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are 9 am to 3 pm; the Nature Center is closed Christmas Day.
- For more information or availability, call 440- 256-1404.
| Ages |
Snowshoes |
| |
per hour |
per day |
| Adult (13 years & older) |
$3 |
$12 |
| Youth (12 years & younger) |
$1.50 |
$6 |
in 2012
Events listed held at Penitentiary Glen Reservation unless otherwise noted.
Winter Bird Open House
January 29, 2012
Noon to 3:00
Winter Hike ‘12
February 19, 2012
1 to 3 pm
Pre-registration requested
Fun Day Monday
February 20, 2012 (Presidents’ Day)
10 am to 4 pm
Spring Art Show: Woven from Nature Art Show
March 10 through May 13, 2012
9 am to 5 pm
Meet the artist reception March 10, noon to 4 pm
Fun Day Monday
April 9, 2012
10 am to 4 pm
Earth Day 2012
Lake Metroparks Farmpark &
Penitentiary Glen Reservation
April 22, 2012
Noon to 4 pm
26th Annual Amateur Photography Contest Show
June 9 through July 29, 2012
9 am to 5 pm daily
The Big Campout!
June 22 through 23, 2012 - new dates
(Friday evening through noon Saturday)
Pre-registration required
River Jamboree
Hidden Valley Park
July 15, 2012
1 to 4 pm
Woodcarvers Show
July 29, 2012
9 am to 5 pm
Hummingbird Open House
August 5
Noon to 3 pm
Glow-a-Palooza
August 11
8 pm to midnight
Pre-registration required
Fall Art Show:
Drawn from Nature Art Show
August 18 through October 14, 2012
9 am to 5 pm
24th Annual Bug Day
September 9, 2012
Noon to 4 pm
Monarch Open House
September 16
Noon to 3 pm
Autumn Gathering
Lakeshore Reservation
October 6, 2012
Fun Day Friday
October 12, 2012 (NEOEA Day)
10 am to 4 pm
Magical Whooloween
October 19 & 20, 2012
5:30 to 9:30 pm
Pre-registration required
The Twelve Days of Winter
November 17, 2012 through January 6, 2013
Noon to 5 pm
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 Miniature steam-powered engines pull passengers through the woodlands of Penitentiary Glen Reservation to the rim of the gorge. Trains sometimes run in conjunction with a special event.
The railroad is operated by the Lake Shore Live Steamers Club.
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 Penitentiary Glen is known for the deep gorge that divides the park in two. Settlers in the early 1880s called the gorge "Penitentiary Glen," because it was difficult to get out of the deepest part, much like a prison or penitentiary. (Imagine trying to climb straight up a 100 ft. wall!) The gorge is a sensitive area and has restricted access because of its steep walls, exposed rock, and fragile vegetation. Naturalists lead guided hikes throughout the year. Ask staff in the Nature Center about our hikes or call the Registration Department at 440-358-7275.
Gorge Hikes
The great gorge that gives Penitentiary Gully its name is always a magical place to hike on a summer afternoon. Be prepared to walk in the creek bed with your naturalist guide. Shoes that you don't mind getting wet are a must! The place is leisurely, but the terrain is rough.
Come and explore this unique place that is not normally open to the public. Instructor: Volunteer Guides and Pat Morse.
Call the Registration Department at 440-358-7275 for dates and more information.
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“In nature all things are unique and so is our store”
 Visit our Nature Store and enjoy its convenient location, expanded product lines, and quality merchandise.
Hours:
9 am to 5 pm daily
Mission
The Nature Store is here to inspire, nurture and educate visitors through its unique selection of nature-related merchandise for children and adults.
Gift ideas
- Regional field guides, “how-to” and nature books for people of all ages.
- Educational toys, games, discovery kits and hand puppets.
- Nature-themed gift items, jewelry, stationary & apparel.
- Accessories for the garden & field; bird feeders, wildlife homes, bat houses, walking sticks & compasses.
- Vortex optics featuring Audubon and Stokes binoculars for adults and children.
- Locally produced honey and maple syrup when in-season.
- Lake Metroparks/Penitentiary Glen merchandise including: mugs, pins, patches, magnets and apparel.
Other information
- Open 9 am to 5 pm daily
- 440-256-2128
- Visa, MasterCard & Discover Accepted
- Gift certificates available
The Nature Store at Penitentiary Glen supports Lake Metroparks mission of conservation, education, and stewardship.
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In 1912, the Halle family, owners of the Halle Bros. Co. in Cleveland, bought this property for their summer estate and working farm. The farm was managed by the Burnett family, who lived here year-round. The only remaining structure is the horse barn, which now houses the Nature Center. Wise use of the land has preserved this special area for today and the future.
The Halles' lifestyle was typical of many wealthy Cleveland families who lived in the city and spent summers in the country. Sam and Blanche Halle had a deep respect for nature and wanted their children to have the same. They hired Maude Doolittle, a school teacher from Massachusetts who loved nature, as a governess for the children during the summer months.
Hallefarm 
A professionally designed and installed educational interactive exhibit highlighting the ‘hey-days” of Hallefarm and demonstrates land use changes over time. This new exhibit explores the Halle family summer estate from historic local agricultural trends, to the present day 400 acre natural area preserved by Lake Metroparks.
The rich heritage of the Halle family while present on the property will be featured along with that of the Burnett family, caretakers of the estate.
The Hallefarm exhibit includes:
- A large photo album with over thirty early black and white photographs of Hallefarm.
- Ten touch boxes featuring artifacts from Hallefarm, i.e. Ann Halle’s spats, a draft horse shoe, hay hooks, and ice tongs.
- Large aerial photographs showing land use patterns over time.
- An interactive computer kiosk featuring past and current photos, audio and video. Visitors will be able to compare “then” and “now”.
- Exhibit counter tops with Corinthian capital bases, replicas from the cottage site.
- A companion map/trail guide offer a self-guided tour down memory lane featuring twelve stations along the Hallefarm trail with information about the history of the property.
Stations include The Horse Barn (now the Nature Center), Apple orchard (Miniature Railroad), Rose Garden (Wildflower Garden), Swimming pool (Stoney Brook), and the Tack Room (Heritage Library)
Hallefarm will be a permanent addition to the interactive exhibits at The Nature Center. Admission is free to all ages.
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 Explore the many habitats at Penitentiary Glen Reservation! Pick up an X-plorer Pack at the Nature Center! It's filled with seasonal activities that are fun and nature-ful. Begin your adventure today! Begin your adventure today! Free!
- X-Plorer Packs are available on a
first-come, first served basis.
- ID required to borrow packs.
- No registration necessary.
Clubs that meet at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center
Blackbrook Audubon Society
Lakeshore Live Steamers
North Coast Fly Fishers
Western Reserve Photographic Society
Biological Diversity of Ohio
Ohio Ornithological Society
Northern Ohio Assoc of Herpetologists
Ohio Mushroom Society
Ohio Odonata Society
Spiders in Ohio
ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
ODNR Division of Wildlife
General Nature
eNature
Wildlife Center
Trails
Buckeye Trail Association
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