The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset  every day of the year. Sunset times can be found on the Park Hours page.

Park Features

• Reserve Features:

  • 272 acres
  • picnic areas
  • shelters with electricity
  • hiking trails
  • fishing and wildlife ponds
  • restroom facilities
  • water fountain
  • limited boardwalk
    • Shelters are available for use during regular park hours  and may be reserved by calling the Miami County Park District at 937-335-6273.  Plan ahead!  Shelters fill quickly. You may view the procedures for reserving a shelter on our permit page.

• Sanctuary Features:

• drinking water
• boardwalk (.7 miles)

Park History

On February 13, 1981, J. Scott Garbry and his family of Piqua, Ohio deeded the 100-acre Sanctuary to the Miami County Park District. Prior to this time, the "Big Woods" had been under the stewardship of the Garbry family for over 130 years. In accepting this responsibility, the Park District will, "protect, manage and preserve the site in perpetuity as an area for enjoyable observation of the natural world, leisurely pursuits and inspirational contemplation."

The Garbry Big Woods Sanctuary is a .7-mile boardwalk loop through an undisturbed wet beech-maple forest. The 100-acre site is not connected to the Reserve, but can be reached by driving a short distance north from the Reserve entrance and turning west on Statler Road. The Sanctuary has a prolific spring flower display and a colorful autumn show. Plants and trees are labeled making the hike educational as well as pleasurable. A boardwalk guides the visitor through woodland habitat helping to preserve the sensitive and rare plant community, and making the Sanctuary handicapped accessible.

To broaden your experience and to help protect this unique natural site, please use the pathways provided and please obey the rules of the Sanctuary and Reserve.            

Gallery (click to expand)

Directions to Garbry Big Woods Reserve & Sanctuary:

Reserve Location:                       

The Garbry Big Woods Reserve entrance is located two miles south of US 36 (east of Piqua). From US 36, turn south and travel to 6660 Casstown-Sidney Road, Piqua.Garbry Big Woods Reserve borders both Casstown-Sidney Road and Statler Road.

The Sanctuary and the Reserve are not connected.  It is necessary to drive from one to the other.

Sanctuary Location:

  The Sanctuary can be reached by taking Casstown-Sidney Road, (north from the Reserve entrance) turn east on Statler Road at 2540 E. Statler Road, Piqua.

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Email Us!

protectingnature@miamicountyparks.com