Destinations
Ohio outdoors
Ohio packs sandstone gorges, waterfalls, a Lake Erie shoreline, and quiet hardwood forests into easy driving distance.
Ohio surprises people who think of it as flat farm country. The southeast corner is the headliner: the Hocking Hills, a region of more than 10,000 acres of unbroken forest where the Blackhand sandstone has been carved into recess caves, gorges, and waterfalls. Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave (the largest recess cave in the state), Cedar Falls, and the remote Cantwell Cliffs are the marquee stops, and the six-mile Grandma Gatewood Trail links three of them in a single day hike. Northeast of Columbus, Cuyahoga Valley National Park threads the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron with the flat, family-friendly Towpath Trail and the photogenic Brandywine Falls. To the north, the Lake Erie shore and its islands (Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island) trade forest for beaches, boating, and birding, and Mohican State Park in the center of the state earns its nickname as Ohio's canoe capital on the Clear Fork River.
The sweet spots are spring and fall. April and May bring wildflowers and full waterfalls; late September into October delivers the hardwood color, with peak foliage around the third week of October. Summer is the busiest season and works fine if you start early and carry water, since humidity and highs near 90F are common. Winter swings cold, with temperatures that can dip near 19F and lake-effect snow off Lake Erie, though frozen waterfalls reward anyone willing to bundle up. Late March into early April is the one stretch to think twice about: muddy trails and unpredictable weather.
Packing here is about grip and weather hedging more than mileage. Trails in the gorges are stepped, rooty, and often slick with spray or mud, so sturdy shoes with real tread do the most work. Bring a rain shell in spring, sun protection and plenty of water in summer, and warm layers plus traction for winter ice. Distances between areas are short, so you rarely need to carry a heavy load.
State park reservations
Ohio booking basics
Lakes, lodges, and popular trail parks fill differently. Start with your facility type, not just the park name.
Booking note
Ohio uses ReserveOhio for state park campground, cabin, lodge, shelter, and facility reservations; state park campsite reservations can be made up to six months in advance.
Agency
Ohio State Parks
State park directory
Ohio state park system places
A source-backed inventory layer for planning breadth. Full Kit Authority guides are marked when a park has imagery, camping detail, rules, and packing notes.
75 directory entries
1 full guides live
- Official page
A.W. Marion State Park
State Park
This rural 310-acre park offers rolling woodlands and the quiet waters of Hargus Lake, once part of the state's prairie peninsula.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Adams Lake State Park
State Park
Located in Ohio's Bluegrass region, this small but unique 50-acre park preserves remnant prairies and a quiet lake.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Playground
- Paddling
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Alum Creek State Park
State Park
Near Ohio's capital city, Alum Creek is a popular boating and camping destination with the largest inland beach in the park system.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Barkcamp State Park
State Park
Set in the sandstone hills of the Appalachian Plateau, Barkcamp is one of the few places to glimpse what Ohio's forests looked like prior to settlement.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Beaver Creek State Park
State Park
In northeast Ohio, Beaver Creek's 2,722 acres of forested wilderness offer access to the Little Beaver Creek State and National Wild and Scenic River.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Historic Site
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Blue Rock State Park
State Park
Rugged hills and rich green forests surround this scenic 322-acre park, one of the last non-electric parks in Ohio.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Buck Creek State Park
State Park
Buck Creek features a large reservoir for unlimited horsepower boating, an accessible fishing pier, and miles of multi-use trails through meadows and wetlands.
- Boating
- Camping
- Cabins
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Buckeye Lake State Park
State Park
Ohio's oldest state park remains a beloved day-use destination, with a 3,100-acre lake that provides boating and fishing.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Burr Oak State Park
State Park
One of Ohio's resort parks, Burr Oak blends a full-service lodge and lakeside campground with miles of forested ridges intersecting the Buckeye Trail.
- Boating
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Horseback Riding
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Caesar Creek State Park
State Park
A sprawling lake, sunny meadows, and a wooded ravine await at Caesar Creek, with a marina, large campground, and the Hopewell Day Lodge.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Horseback Riding
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Catawba Island State Park
State Park
One of five Lake Erie Islands parks, this day-use park serves as a gateway to the lake with four boat ramps and a cobblestone launch beach.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Cowan Lake State Park
State Park
Cowan Lake offers a serene escape with scenic inlets and a wooded shoreline around a 700-acre lake limited to boats up to 10 horsepower.
- Boating
- Camping
- Cabins
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Deer Creek State Park
State Park
A true vacation destination set amid rich farming country, Deer Creek offers a resort lodge, marina, large campground, and an 18-hole golf course.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Camping
- Hiking
- Golf
- Disc Golf
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Playground
- Biking
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Delaware State Park
State Park
Dense woodlands, expansive meadows, and a shimmering 1,300-acre reservoir blend to create an outdoor adventure north of Columbus.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Dillon State Park
State Park
The wooded hills and scenic valleys of this 2,285-acre park surround a large lake offering unlimited-horsepower boating, a marina, and several ramps.
- Boating
- Camping
- Cabins
- Horseback Riding
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
East Fork State Park
State Park
One of Ohio's largest state parks at 7,480 acres, East Fork features Harsha Lake for unlimited horsepower boating plus a vast multi-use trail system near Cincinnati.
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
East Harbor State Park
State Park
Situated on a peninsula reaching into Lake Erie, this 1,831-acre park lies along Ohio's prairie marsh zone, a remnant of the Great Black Swamp.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Findley State Park
State Park
Once a state forest, this 838-acre park is heavily wooded with stately pines and hardwoods, popular with hikers and mountain bikers along the Buckeye Trail.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Biking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Forked Run State Park
State Park
Forested hills, a picturesque lake, and the Ohio River characterize this 791-acre park in the heart of Appalachia.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Geneva State Park
State Park
On Ohio's northeastern shoreline, this 698-acre park reflects the charisma of Lake Erie with a sand beach, freshwater marshes, and a lodge.
- Boating
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Grand Lake St Marys State Park
State Park
Originally a hand-dug feeder reservoir for the Miami and Erie Canal, Grand Lake St. Marys offers 52 miles of shoreline for boating and fishing.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Historic Site
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Great Council State Park
State Park
Found on the site of the Shawnee village of Old Chillicothe, this park honors Native American and settler history with a longhouse-modeled interpretive center.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Great Seal State Park
State Park
Challenging trails throughout this 1,682-acre park lead to scenic vistas of the ridges depicted on the Great Seal of Ohio.
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Playground
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Guilford Lake State Park
State Park
Originally a canal feeder built in the 1830s, Guilford Lake offers serene views, first-rate fishing, and numerous picnic areas.
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
Show 51 more Ohio entries
- Official page
Harrison Lake State Park
State Park
Amid gently rolling hills in northwest Ohio, this 142-acre park offers wooded splendor in an agricultural region around Harrison Lake.
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Disc Golf
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Headlands Beach State Park
State Park
The trademark of this day-use park is its massive 35-acre Lake Erie beach, the largest natural sand beach in the state.
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Full guide
Hocking Hills State Park
State Park
Nationally and internationally acclaimed, Hocking Hills features towering cliffs, thrilling waterfalls, and deep hemlock-shaded gorges.
- Boating
- Horseback Riding
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Hiking
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Hueston Woods State Park
State Park
The limestone and shale bedrock of this lodge park yields abundant marine fossils, drawing collectors to a region that was once a shallow sea.
- Golf
- Fishing
- Boating
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Disc Golf
- Hunting
- Biking
- Swimming
- Winter Sports
- Cabins
- Camping
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Independence Dam State Park
State Park
This 525-acre park sits along the banks of the Maumee State Scenic River, with remnants of Ohio's canal era running 7 miles alongside.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Indian Lake State Park
State Park
Once a feeder lake for the Miami and Erie Canal, Indian Lake became a popular resort park offering 5,100 acres of water for recreation.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Jackson Lake State Park
State Park
Though relatively small at 106 acres, Jackson Lake boasts scenic country and a serene lake that is a focal point for excellent fishing.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Jefferson Lake State Park
State Park
Nestled within oak and hickory wooded hills, this tranquil 962-acre park offers miles of rugged multi-use trails and family and equestrian camping.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Jesse Owens State Park
State Park
A story of environmental stewardship and reclaimed land, this park in Morgan County is surrounded by thousands of acres open to public use.
- Boating
- Camping
- Cabins
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Paddling
Ohio DNR
- Official page
John Bryan State Park
State Park
This 752-acre park is distinguished by a remarkable limestone gorge cut by the Little Miami State and National Scenic River, a National Natural Landmark.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Climbing
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Kelleys Island State Park
State Park
On the northern shore of Kelleys Island, this 677-acre park offers Lake Erie views, easy shoreline access, and lakeside camping.
- Boating
- Camping
- Cabins
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Kiser Lake State Park
State Park
A favorite for anglers and paddlers, this 531-acre park surrounds a 396-acre lake known for its clean, clear waters.
- Boating
- Horseback Riding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Lake Alma State Park
State Park
Set amid rugged, scenic territory in Jackson and Vinton counties, this 292-acre park surrounds a quiet 60-acre lake and a gentle creek.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Lake Hope State Park
State Park
Lying within Zaleski State Forest, this 2,983-acre park offers a rustic getaway marked by steep gorges, narrow ridges, and old mining remnants.
- Boating
- Cabins
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Lake Logan State Park
State Park
Within the rolling Appalachian foothills of the Hocking Valley, this secluded park offers a 400-acre lake for boating, fishing, and hiking.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Lake Loramie State Park
State Park
A throwback to Ohio's canal era, Lake Loramie was built in 1824 as a reservoir for the Miami and Erie Canal and offers a quiet retreat.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Historic Site
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Lake Milton State Park
State Park
Nearly 1,700 acres of recreational water can be found at this day-use park, with a scenic shoreline providing habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds.
- Boating
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Lake White State Park
State Park
In the Appalachian foothills near the Scioto River, this rugged park offers water sports along a picturesque lake and scenic picnic areas.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Little Miami State Park
State Park
This 50-mile linear park offers a paved scenic bikeway and paddling access along the Little Miami State and National Scenic River.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Horseback Riding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Madison Lake State Park
State Park
Lying within the vast Darby Plains, this day-use park surrounds a 106-acre lake that attracts anglers and offers sailing, rowing, and canoeing.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Paddling
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Malabar Farm State Park
State Park
In Pleasant Valley, Malabar Farm was the dream of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Historic Site
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
State Park
Home to the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes, this park is one of Lake Erie's most-photographed landmarks.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Historic Site
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Mary Jane Thurston State Park
State Park
Along the historic Maumee State Scenic River, this 105-acre park offers some of the best stream fishing in Ohio plus boating and camping.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Maumee Bay State Park
State Park
A unique environment where land converges with Lake Erie, Maumee Bay nestles a resort lodge, cabins, and golf course among meadows, wet woods, and marshes.
- Boating
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Wildlife Viewing
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Middle Bass Island State Park
State Park
Once part of Lake Erie's wine islands, this park preserves the historic Lonz Winery complex and offers a full-service marina accessible by boat or ferry.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Biking
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Historic Site
- Camping
- Paddling
- Swimming
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Mohican State Park
State Park
Thousands of wooded acres greet visitors to Mohican, whose wild landscape includes Clear Fork Gorge, Lyon's Falls, and the Mohican State Scenic River.
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Biking
- Picnicking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Mosquito Lake State Park
State Park
One of the largest lakes in Ohio at more than 7,000 acres, Mosquito Lake is surrounded by 2,483 acres of mature woodlands and expansive marshes.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Mt Gilead State Park
State Park
Between Columbus and Mansfield, this small secluded park offers wildflowers, woodlands, and a small lake for paddling and fishing.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Playground
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Muskingum River State Park
State Park
On the National Register of Historic Places, this parkway operates one of only two remaining systems of hand-operated locks in the nation.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Hiking
- Historic Site
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park
State Park
With rugged cliffs, waterfalls, and rock formations like Devil's Icebox and Old Maid's Kitchen, this day-use park offers a thrilling hiking experience.
- Picnicking
- Hiking
Ohio DNR
- Official page
North Bass Island State Park
State Park
A primitive 593-acre getaway accessible only by private boat, charter, or aircraft, North Bass is an important stop-over for migratory songbirds.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking
- Camping
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Oak Point State Park
State Park
On South Bass Island near Put-in-Bay, this 1.5-acre park offers boater amenities and a short walk to Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Paint Creek State Park
State Park
Amid the scenery of the Paint Creek Valley, this 5,652-acre park features a 1,148-acre lake with fine fishing, boating, and swimming.
- Boating
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Climbing
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Pike Lake State Park
State Park
Surrounded by state forest lands in the wooded hills of southern Ohio, this 587-acre park centers on a 13-acre lake dug by hand by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
- Boating
- Camping
- Cabins
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Portage Lakes State Park
State Park
Outside Akron, this 411-acre day-use park offers boating, swimming, and fishing across eight surrounding lakes plus wetlands that attract waterfowl.
- Boating
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Punderson State Park
State Park
Home to Ohio's largest and deepest natural kettle lake, Punderson features a stately English Tudor manor lodge and abundant winter recreation.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
- Golf
- Winter Sports
- Nature Trails
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Pymatuning State Park
State Park
Spanning the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, Pymatuning State Park surrounds a 14,000-acre reservoir known for some of the finest walleye and muskie fishing in Ohio.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
- Climbing
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Quail Hollow State Park
State Park
Quail Hollow State Park is a 701-acre landscape of rolling meadows, marshes, and pine and deciduous woods surrounding a 40-room historic manor.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature Trails
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Rocky Fork State Park
State Park
Rocky Fork State Park surrounds a 2,080-acre lake popular with boaters and anglers in southwest Ohio, with a nearby scenic gorge, dolomite caves, and natural wetlands.
- Camping
- Boating
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Nature Trails
- Paddling
- Winter Sports
- Playground
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Salt Fork State Park
State Park
Salt Fork State Park is Ohio's largest state park, encompassing forested hills, open meadows, and a nearly 3,000-acre lake in eastern Ohio.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Golf
- Disc Golf
- Horseback Riding
- Winter Sports
- Historic Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Climbing
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Scioto Trail State Park
State Park
Scioto Trail State Park is a 218-acre wooded refuge nestled within the 9,000-acre Scioto Trail State Forest south of Chillicothe.
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Biking
- Paddling
- Backpacking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Shawnee State Park
State Park
Shawnee State Park offers 1,095 acres of rugged Appalachian foothills near the Ohio River, nestled within Shawnee State Forest and often called the Little Smokies.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Backpacking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Disc Golf
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
- Climbing
Ohio DNR
- Official page
South Bass Island State Park
State Park
Perched atop the white cliffs of South Bass Island in Lake Erie, the park offers expansive lake views near the tourist destination of Put-In-Bay.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Wildlife Viewing
- Playground
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Stonelick State Park
State Park
Stonelick State Park offers 1,058 acres of land and a 200-acre lake in the rolling hills of southwest Ohio.
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Disc Golf
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Biking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Strouds Run State Park
State Park
Strouds Run State Park surrounds Dow Lake in the forested hills outside Athens, drawing trail and lake users to its rugged terrain.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Sycamore State Park
State Park
Sycamore State Park is an oasis of wooded splendor amid expansive farmland in western Ohio, well suited to groups of all sizes.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Tar Hollow State Park
State Park
Tar Hollow State Park winds through deep ravines and dense woodlands once tapped for pine tar by early settlers, bordered by Tar Hollow State Forest.
- Camping
- Cabins
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Van Buren State Park
State Park
Van Buren State Park offers 296 acres of woods and a small lake amid the agricultural lands of northwest Ohio.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Disc Golf
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
West Branch State Park
State Park
West Branch State Park surrounds the 2,650-acre Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir near Akron, with miles of foot, bike, and bridle trails linking to the Buckeye Trail.
- Camping
- RV Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
- Paddling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Wingfoot Lake State Park
State Park
Wingfoot Lake State Park, formerly owned by Goodyear, offers groves of tall trees and a picturesque 444-acre lake near Akron, where the Goodyear blimp hangar sits on the south shore.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Nature Trails
- Paddling
- Playground
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
- Historic Site
- Climbing
Ohio DNR
- Official page
Wolf Run State Park
State Park
Wolf Run State Park offers more than 1,000 acres of peaceful woodlands and a 220-acre lake in southeast Ohio's Noble County.
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Beach
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Sports
Ohio DNR
Inventory source: USGS PAD-US 4.1. Curated states also use official agency directories where available. Official reservations and rules remain state-specific, so use the state booking links above before committing to dates.
National parks in Ohio
State parks in Ohio
State-park guides focus on the decisions that usually make or break the weekend: camping reservations, day-use access, trail difficulty, and seasonal crowd pressure.
Getting around Ohio
Ohio gives you three major airports forming a rough triangle, so almost no outdoor area is far from a flight. Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) in the north is the closest hub to Cuyahoga Valley (about 30 minutes south) and the Lake Erie shore. Columbus (CMH) sits dead center and is the most convenient gateway to the Hocking Hills, roughly an hour southeast. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) anchors the southwest. All three are well-served and put a rental car within easy reach of the parks.
Driving is the way to connect things, and the legs are short by national-park standards. Columbus to the Hocking Hills runs about 50 miles (an hour). Cleveland to Cuyahoga Valley is roughly 25 to 30 miles, and the park itself sits conveniently between Cleveland and Akron. Cleveland down to Mohican State Park in Loudonville is about 83 miles (1 hour 30 minutes). Reaching the Lake Erie islands means driving to a ferry dock at Catawba, Marblehead, or Sandusky, then taking a short boat across (South Bass Island sits only about 3 miles offshore). Once you are in a region like the Hocking Hills, the individual trailheads (Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs) are all within a short drive of one another, so a single basecamp covers a full weekend.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Ohio's parks?
Spring and fall are the standouts. April and May bring wildflowers and full-volume waterfalls in the Hocking Hills, while late September into October delivers fall color, with peak foliage usually around the third week of October. Summer is busy and humid with highs near 90F, so start early and carry water; late March into early April is the one stretch to avoid because of mud and unpredictable weather.
What is the best national park in Ohio?
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is Ohio's only national park, sitting along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. It is best known for the flat, easy Towpath Trail and the photogenic Brandywine Falls, making it one of the more accessible national parks for families and casual hikers. It is roughly 30 minutes south of Cleveland Hopkins airport.
Where are the best waterfalls and gorges in Ohio?
The Hocking Hills region in southeast Ohio is the top destination, with sandstone gorges and waterfalls at Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, and Cantwell Cliffs. The six-mile Grandma Gatewood Trail connects three of these areas in a single hike. Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is another standout in the northeast.
Do I need hiking boots for Hocking Hills?
Sturdy shoes or boots with good tread are strongly recommended. The gorge trails are stepped, rooty, and frequently slick from waterfall spray, mud, or winter ice, so grip matters more than anything else. Distances are short, so you do not need a heavy pack, just reliable footing and weather-appropriate layers.