Zonser Grind, Nature reserve in Dormagen, Germany

Zonser Grind is a protected natural area along the Rhine near Dormagen covering fertilized meadows, poplar groves, and wide undeveloped riverbanks. The landscape transitions between cultivated fields and floodplain zones that regularly flood during high water periods.

The area was placed under nature protection in 1982 under the key number NE-003, covering roughly 329 hectares. It later became part of the FFH site "Urdenbach - Kirberger Loch - Zonser Grind" and the Natura 2000 network, and its Rhine bank also belongs to the FFH fish protection zone between Emmerich and Bad Honnef.

This protected area serves as a vital habitat for river fish and waterfowl that depend on its open banks and wetland vegetation. The flowing water and natural shorelines shape how local people relate to this stretch of the Rhine.

A gravel path crosses the area without motor vehicles and connects the northern section of Zons to the Stürzelberg district. The route works well for cycling and walking, though it can be slippery when wet.

The botanically rich section lies between Rhine kilometres 723 and 724 on the western side of the river bend, where the Rhine is wide, unbuilt and edged by gravel and sand banks. On the loose, often calcareous inland dune sands grow foxtail grasses, silver willows, basket and almond willows, stonecrop, couch grass and wood small-reed.