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Ohio has dozens of amazing state parks, and whether you like camping, hiking, biking, swimming, boating or watching wildlife, there’s definitely something for even the most novice of explorers. Pick a park and make the drive from Cincinnati this fall ? or try to hit them all.
Shawnee State Park
4404 State Route 125, Portsmouth
Shawnee State Park features many scenic valleys and hills, offering beautiful views on the historic land where the Shawnee Indians used to hunt.
Photo via maryjanelemler/InstagramSouth Bass Island State Park
1523 Catawba Avenue, Put-In-Bay
This park is located on the white cliffs of South Bass Island, which gives visitors great views and access to Lake Erie.
Photo via lindseyannebunn/InstagramJohn Bryan State Park
3790 State Route 370, Yellow Springs
This park offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking, but it’s known best for its limestone gorge, a national natural landmark.
Photo via ohioliz/InstagramEast Fork Lake
3294 Elklick Road, Bethel
The park with perhaps the widest range of trails, East Fork State Park has hikes ranging from less than a half-mile to a 32-mile backpacking perimeter route. This park also has a 9-mile mountain bike trail and some of the hiking trails are open to horseback riding.
Photo: Izzy VioxQuail Hollow State Park
13480 Congress Lake Avenue, Hartville
Quail Hollow State Park offers meadows, marshes and woods to explore, but it also has a 40-room manor and gardens to check out if you’re feeling less like becoming one with nature.
Photo via _cochise/InstagramCaesar Creek State Park
8570 E State Route 73, Waynesville
Caesar Creek State Park has a lot of boating and a lot of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and more.
Photo via recr8fun/InstagramPymatuning State Park
6100 Pymatuning Lake Road, Andover
Pick out a campsite at Pymatuning State Park and check out what happens when water recreation and an old swamp forest meet.
Photo via judypeppercorn/InstagramForked Run State Park
63300 State Route 124, Reedsville
Forked Run State Park accesses the Ohio River, which helps create beautiful views with wooded hills, vistas and lots of wildlife.
Photo via food_nature_haf/InstagramLake Hope State Park
27331 State Route 278, McArthur
Lake Hope State Park rests in the Zaleski State Forest, and its interesting geography attracts many photographers.
Photo via pjasovsky/InstagramWest Branch State Park
5570 Esworthy Road, Ravenna
West Branch State Park is known for its 2,650-acre lake, which makes for great swimming, boating and fishing. The park is also home to bog land and lots of wildlife.
Photo via richardulmes/InstagramMohican State Park
3116 State Route 3, Loudonville
Hike and bike near the Clear Fork Gorge and the Clear Fork River.
Photo via macybo24/InstagramEast Harbor State Park
1169 N. Buck Road, Lakeside-Marblehead
Located on a Lake Erie shore, East Harbor State Park provides visitors with ample opportunities to see wildlife, such as waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland dwellers.
Photo via crimsnmacchiato/InstagramSalt Fork State Park
14755 Cadiz Road, Lore City
Salt Fork State Park is frequently known as the location of many Bigfoot sightings, so it’s the perfect place to do some searching. There’s also park programming centered around the mysterious Sasquatch.
Photo via loveprojection7 and brandonshelbyy/InstagramWolf Run State Park
16170 Wolf Run Road, Caldwell
If you need a relaxing trip, head over to Wolf Run State Park, a remote area in the Caldwell hills.
Photo via ottah_fairmont/InstagramMaumee Bay State Park
1400 State Park Road, Oregon
Enjoy recreational activities at the lodge, or check out the wildlife in the meadows and marshes.
Photo via bethanylynne237/InstagramLake Loramie State Park
4401 Ft. Loramie Swanders Road, Minster
Known as a laid-back camping destination, Lake Loramie State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities. It’s also pet-friendly.
Photo via hxcorey412/InstagramMosquito Lake State Park
1439 State Route 305, Cortland
If you love nature, this park is a must. Mosquito Lake is one of the largest lakes in Ohio, and there are a ton of woodlands and marshes around it that wildlife call home.
Photo via eakw/InstagramNelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park
State Route 282, Nelson Township
Known for its cliffs, this park is a great destination for hiking, picnicking and taking in some beautiful views.
Photo via handinhandadventures/InstagramPortage Lakes State Park
5031 Manchester Road, Akron
At Portage Lakes State Park, visitors can check out the wildlife at the wetlands or go boating and swimming on one of the nearby lakes.
Photo via miss_mandipants/InstagramPunderson State Park
11755 Kinsman Road, Newbury
Visitors can pick where to stay from a resort manor house to cabins and a campground. And although folks should check out the boating and canoeing in the summer, they can also try sledding and snowmobiling in the winter.
Photo via dagwood_designs/InstagramKelleys Island State Park
920 Division Street, Kelleys Island
Hop on the ferry, rent a golf cart and get ready to enjoy nature and a drink.
Photo via mattwarholic/InstagramIndian Lake State Park
13156 State Route 235 N, Lakeview
This park’s man-made lake has two beaches for visitors to enjoy, as well as opportunities to fish, boat and jet ski.
Photo via matthew0697/InstagramHueston Woods State Park
6301 Park Office Road, College Corner
Hueston Woods State Park features all of the typical park activities, such as camping, hiking and fishing. But it also offers fossil hunting.
Photo via mandastevens07/InstagramHocking Hills State Park
19852 State Route 664 S, Logan
Hocking Hills is famous for its gorgeous hiking trails and large variety of engaging activities.
Photo via cessna_marie/InstagramGeneva State Park
4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva
Geneva State Park is a destination for ziplining, weddings, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking and more. There’s plenty to do on the Lake Erie shores.
Photo via cassandra_holloway/InstagramKiser Lake State Park
4370 Kiser Lake Road, St. Paris
Jump on in, the water’s clear. Kiser Lake State Park is known for its clean, pristine lake.
Photo via jasonavoorhees/InstagramCuyahoga Valley National Park
1550 Boston Mills Road, Peninsula
Cuyahoga Valley National Park has much to offer with its cleaned-up river and numerous walking and hiking trails. You can even hop on a train and take in the views on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Photo via sabrinainthewild/InstagramFindley State Park
25381 State Route 58, Wellington
Findley State Park was once a state forest, so it’s filled with wooded areas and extensive hiking trails. There’s even a connection to the Buckeye Trail from within the park.
Photo via nickhallandbeyond/InstagramBeaver Creek State Park
12021 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool
At Beaver Creek State Park, visitors can dive not only into wildlife but also into history. Visit Gaston’s Mill and see abandoned canal locks and a pioneer village.
Photo via cessna_marie/InstagramAlum Creek State Park
3305 S. Old State Road, Delaware
If you’re looking for a little piece of paradise to soak up some rays, this park could be your next destination. Check out the beach and the boating opportunities.
Photo via juju_b_23/InstagramMt. Gilead State Park
4119 State Route 95, Mt. Gilead
Do you like disc golf, fishing, shuffle board and playgrounds? There’s something for everyone at Mt. Gilead State Park. The 191-acre park is home to six hiking, running or horseback trails and a large lake.
Photo via nanceles/Instagram
