The swamps and marshlands of Tinker's Creek State Park harbor a variety of natural wonders. Herons, ducks, geese and beaver can be found in the spring-fed waters, while cattail, buttonbush and swamp white oak line the shores of this beautiful park.

The majority of Tinker's Creek State Park is maintained in its original state as a swamp and marshland. These wetlands owe their existence to the glaciers that invaded Ohio during the Pleistocene Ice Age. Glacial features include moraines, kames and eskers. Moraines were formed when a glacier remained stationary for a long period of time leaving hills of boulders, sand and gravel. Kames are deposits of sand and gravel that fell through holes in the ice leaving circular hills. Eskers are deposits of sand and gravel that dropped through ice tunnels leaving long serpentine mounds. Many fine examples of these glacial features are found in the region.

This part of Ohio is known for the number of naturally occurring lakes. Hugh blocks of ice broke free from the glaciers creating depressions which filled as the ice blocks melted. These are known as kettle lakes. Over the ensuing 10,000 years, these lakes have partially filled with sediment leaving boggy wetlands with unique assemblages of plants. Buttonbush, alder and swamp white oak are predominate.

During the spring and fall migration periods, the marsh provides food and shelter for thousands of waterfowl. Mallards, wood ducks and Canada geese nest in the marshlands each year. In addition, woodcock, rail, gallinule, snipe, heron and bittern are often sighted. Beaver and muskrat are common residents.

The spring-fed lake offers anglers catches of bass, bluegill, crappie, perch and catfish. Bluegills and bass are also found in the two ponds located along Pond Run Trail.