During Spring migration, the reservation comes alive with migrant songbirds. Up to 15 species of warblers have been recorded in a single day in May. The Eastern Sycamore-lined Tinker’s Creek hosts two uncommon nesting specialties: Yellow-throated and rarely Cerulean Warblers. The rich deciduous woods, with rolling hills and rocky outcroppings, provides essential habitat for deep-woods nesting Hooded Warblers, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Veery and Wood Thrush, Acadian Flycatcher, Wild Turkey, Broad-winged Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, and Barred, Eastern Screech and Great Horned Owls. A local specialty of hemlock ravines, Black-throated Green Warblers can be heard buzzing “zee zee zee zee zoooo zee” from the deep wooded valleys.

Located in Bedford, Bedford Heights, Oakwood, Valley View and Walton Hills, Bedford Reservation gives the appearance of a continuous forest of large trees and challenging terrain, which apparently discouraged early logging operations.

The reservation offers trails and picnic areas and includes Shawnee Hills Golf Course as one of its attractions. Flowing through Bedford Reservation is Tinkers Creek, named for a member of Moses Cleveland’s surveying party. The stream drops a dramatic 220 feet over a course of two miles and has cut a steep, walled gorge. The gorge, declared a National Natural Landmark, is a unique area with numerous tree, shrub, and flower species.

The Tinkers Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook on Gorge Parkway offers a spectacular vista, particularly in the fall. Tinkers Creek Gorge Overlook is wheelchair accessible.

Bedford Reservation Trails
Forbes Crossing – .9 mile
Mountain Bike Trail – 13 miles
Buckeye Trail – 9.7 miles
All Purpose Trail – 7.6 miles
Bridle Trail – 14.1 miles
Viaduct Park Loop – .4 mile

The AllTrails website has descriptions and maps of hikes in the Bedford Reservation.