Explore the Ohio State Parks

Let this be the summer you spend outside exploring the beautiful state* of Ohio! I’ve been hiking and visiting all corners of the state for over ten years now. One of my long term goals is to visit all 76 state parks – so far I am at 25!

We are incredibly lucky to have so many beautiful parks across the state, and they are all FREE to enter and use. I encourage you to try a new park this season and explore a new area of the state. I wanted to share some of my favorite parks and experiences at each, hopefully to inspire you to check one out for yourself!

Hueston Woods State Park

Just outside Oxford you’ll find this beautiful state park. While you’re here, definitely check out the Hueston Woods Lodge. You can enjoy views of the Acton Lake and relax while you recharge. There are several hiking trails surrounding the lodge outside as well. My favorite thing to do at this park was mountain biking. The mountain bike trails are about 12 miles long and range from beginner to advanced, so you can choose your path according to skill level.

Caesar Creek State Park

Located in the Southwest region, this Ohio state park also features a lake where you can boat. Boaters will find all the amenities for a great day on the water, including a marina, several launch ramps, and dock rentals. I personally love heading to the creek bed and searching for fossils. If you want to keep what you find, be sure to obtain a permit from Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center — Call (513) 897-1050. OHDNR also has a lot of great information about fossil collecting. I take Horseshoe Falls Trail, get the swinging bridge and usually search in that area.

Nelson Ledges Kennedy State Park

This gem of a park is located on the Northeast region near Garresttville. This is easily one of my favorite parks to hike. It has similar rock formations from the glaciers as the ledges in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hocking Hills.  Be sure to check out the formations like Devil’s Icebox, Goldhunters Cave, and Old Maid’s Kitchen. While I haven’t visited since the latest upgrade, be sure to check out the Falls Edge Glass Walkway, a 137-foot walkway over Sylvan Creek Gorge.

Mohican State Park

Located in central Ohio, this state park is perfect for adventurers of all types. You can camp, hike, bike, fish and boat here. This is easily one of my favorite state parks, and if you’ve been I’m sure you can agree! My favorite hike is the Gorge. It is a hard hike, so make sure everyone you’re with is able to handle some scrambling and steep inclines. Once you get down to the water the path will guide you to the swinging bridge, which is always fun to walk across. Don’t forget to check out the stunning overlooks at the top of the trail.

Another favorite of mine is hiking to big and little Lyon’s falls. I always try to visit after a few days of rainfall so the waterfalls are really going! There’s also kayaking and tubing along the scenic river for those who want a bit more fo a relaxed experience.

And that’s just a small sample of some of the amazing activites you can do throughout the state parks. If you want even more detailed information, be sure to check out OhioStateParks.gov!

*Thanks to OhioTourism for sponsoring today’s blog post.