If You’re Seeking Waterfall Walks, Woodland Peace, and Unforgettable Views, Ohio’s Parks and Preserves Are Calling Your Name

Located right next to the Hocking State Forest, Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio offers nine hiking trails and two mountain biking trails.

• The park is known for its spectacular rock formations and waterfalls, all of which can be accessed through the trail system.
• There are trails to suit hikers of every ability level, and two of the trails are handicap accessible.
• Anyone wishing to visit the adjacent forest can hike the 6-mile-long Buckeye Trail, which winds through both the forest and the park.
• There are five picnic areas, and the trails are open dawn until dusk 365 days a year.
• Cedar Grove Lodging is a beautiful place to stay here.

19852 Ohio 664 Logan, OH 43138, Phone: 740-385-6842

Hocking Hills State Park is 1 hour from Columbus.

Located on 132 acres in Huron County, the Augusta-Ann Olsen State Nature Preserve has an excellent trail system open to the public. The Vermillion River runs in a bend around the preserve, and several of the trails offer beautiful views of the Vermillion River Gorge. It is an excellent place to visit in the spring; the area is well known for its variety of birds and its spectacular wildflowers. The preserve is also home to one of the largest sassafras trees in the state, and the river is an excellent place to spot different types of amphibians during certain times of the year.

4934 W River Rd Wakeman, OH 44889, Phone: 614-265-6561

Situated on 957 acres in Licking County, the Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserves was named for a hand-shaped petroglyph found on a sandstone cliff in the park. Unfortunately, the petroglyph was destroyed in 1828. There are 6 miles of hiking trails for visitors to use, and the highlight of the preserve is a 4-mile-long sandstone formation that was created by the Licking River. There are also plenty of beautiful wildflowers to be seen in the spring. Visitors can take advantage of the 4 miles of bike trails in the preserve; this is the only bike trail in Ohio's state nature preserve system.

2200 Gratiot Rd SE Heath, OH 43056, Phone: 614-265-6565

Before it was acquired by Cleveland Metroparks, the 135-acre Brookside Reservation used to be one of the oldest neighborhood parks in the City of Cleveland. The park is located right next to the Cleveland Zoo, and recreation facilities include baseball diamonds and soccer fields. A paved all-purpose trail runs through the park, which is open to the public and can be used for activities like walking, cycling, or rollerblading. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the trail. There are also a number of well-equipped picnic areas in the park, many of which can be reserved for large groups or special events.

4101 Fulton Pkwy Cleveland, OH 44144, Phone: 216-635-3200

The remote Burr Oak State Park is situated on 2,593 acres in southeast Ohio. Centered around the 664-acre Burr Oak Lake, there are 7 hiking trails in the park, ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate. There are 28 miles of trails in total, and the shortest is 0.4 miles while the longest is 3.5 miles. Three separate trails are also available for horseback riding. Visitors wishing to spend the night in the park have a variety of accommodation options to choose from, including a campground, a lodge, and several cottages.

10220 Burr Oak Lodge Rd Gloucester, OH 45732, Phone: 740-767-3570

With its 7,900 acres of land, the beautiful Caesar Creek State Park offers a variety of recreational activities. There are 74 miles of trails in the park, including 13 miles of mountain biking trails and 31 miles of horseback riding trails. Hikers are permitted on all the trails, but mountain bikers and horseback riders must stay on their designated trails. The trails vary in difficulty and can be used to access various viewpoints of the lake, Horseshoe Falls, and a 104-foot swinging bridge. Other attractions in the park include a nature center, a marina, and a pioneer village.

8570 Ohio 73 Waynesville, OH 45068, Phone: 513-897-3055

Created to preserve 553 acres in Fairfield County, Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve is known for its distinctive Black Hand Sandstone formations and for being home to the rare Bradley’s spleenwort. There are 3 miles of hiking trails in the park, which range in difficulty from moderate to more challenging. The highlight of the park is a 250-foot sandstone formation called Jacob's Ladder, which visitors can climb to get a beautiful view of the foothills in the valley of Arney Run. Due to the diverse habitats the park encompasses, it is also a popular destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

2340 Meister Rd SW Lancaster, OH 43130

With more than 5,300 acres of land, Clear Creek Metro Park is home to more than 2,200 different species of plants and animals.

• There are nine hiking trails in the park, adding up to 7 miles in total and ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging.
• The trails cover a wide range of terrain, including ravines, hemlock groves, and sandstone outcroppings.
• The longest trail is 2.5 miles while the shortest is 0.3 miles and loops around a prairie.
• The park also has several picnic areas for guests to use that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Where You'll Find it: 185 Clear Creek Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149, Phone: 740-969-8210
• Where to Stay: Glenlaurel
• What's Nearby: Rock Bridge State Nature Preserve, Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve

The drive from Columbus takes approximately 1 hour (39 miles via US-33 E).

Situated along the Cuyahoga River, the 32,950-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only national park in Ohio. The park offers 125 miles of hiking trails passing through a variety of habitats, including wetlands, forests, and old farmland. The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is one of the most popular; it is 19.5 miles in length, has ten trailheads, and is accessible to nearly all visitors. Other trails are more challenging and will require hikers to cross streams on stepping stones or log bridges. Trail maps can be obtained at one of the park's visitor centers.

Phone: 330-657-2752

Located just outside the town of Yellow Springs, the Glen Helen Nature Preserve is a 1,000-acre piece of land that has been a National Natural Landmark since 1965. There are more than 20 miles of trails in the park, which visitors can explore from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. Points of interest that can be accessed via the trail system include limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and a Hopewell Indian mound. Guided hikes are sometimes offered, and visitors wishing to hike alone can obtain a trail map from the Trailside Museum in exchange for a small donation.

405 Corry Street Yellow Springs, OH 45387, Phone: 937-769-1902