Ash Cave Hocking Hills State Park
- Trail type: Loop
- Length: 0.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Access: Ash Cave parking area on Route 56 near Creola
One of Hocking Hills State Parks best-known destinations, Ash Cave is the perfect short hike for the whole family.
After departing the Ash Cave trailhead, this path takes you on a casual walk through a stunning gorge. Along the way, you get a fantastic view of massive trees and gorgeous wildflowers, which offer plenty for everyone to see and discover.
The gorge then opens up and drops you off underneath a gigantic overhanging ledge. This ledge forms a huge horseshoe-shaped cave thats some 700 feet long from end to end. Plus, the East Fork of Queen Creek even cascades down one side of the cave, forming a misty waterfall.
Once at the cave, you can wander around to your hearts content. Then, when youre ready to head back home, you can continue down the path to loop back to the parking area.
Ohio Camping: Dillon State Park
Dillon State Park is located near Zanesville in Muskingum County and offers a range of outdoor and recreational activities, from scenic hiking and mountain biking trails to gorgeously picturesque settings for boating, fishing, picnicking, and camping. The 2,285 acres of Dillon State Park contain rental cabins and camping sites with water and electricity hookups, modern restrooms with showers and flushing toilets, laundry facilities, and a dump station. Other recreational activities in the park include archery, basketball, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and stargazing.
5265 Dillon Hills Drive, Nashport, OH 43830, Phone: 740-453-0442
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Iron Ridge Lake Vesuvius Ohio Campground Images Info & Reservations
Directions From U.S. Highway 52 at Ironton, Take State Route 93 north for 6 miles to the Lake Vesuvius Road . Turn east toward Lake Vesuvius and travel 1 mile to the recreation area. Phone 740-534-6500 Activities BOATING, CAMPING, FISHING, HIKING, HUNTING Keywords IROR,VESUVIUS,LAKE VESUVIUS,IRON RIDGE,IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS,WAYNE NF FS Related Link Rec Area Info & Images Ohio State Tourism Ohio State Road Conditions Overview Iron Ridge is one of two campgrounds in the Vesuvius Recreation
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Cowan Lake State Park
Ohio camping doesnt get much better than Cowan Lake State Park, which is located in Wilmington, Ohio. This moderately sized Ohio camping spot boasts some of the best tent camping in Ohio.
The main attraction here is Cowan Lake, for which the park is named. The sprawling blue lake is an attractive backdrop from water activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, and photography. Dont fret if you left your boat at home. A wide variety of boat rentals are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
If youre not sure about hitting the waters in a flotation device, the parks free seasonal canoe lessons are a great place to fend off anxiety. Meanwhile, landlubbers can enjoy archery, basketball, volleyball, hiking, and much more.
Hiking Trails In Ohio: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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
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Things To Do Near Me: Hocking Hills State Park
Located right next to the Hocking State Forest, Hocking Hills State Park 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.
19852 Ohio 664 Logan, OH 43138, Phone: 740-385-6842
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Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Chillicothe, Ohio is considered sacred ground. Native American Indians built the earthen mounds 2,000 years ago by hand. These mounds are the park’s crowning characteristic.
The area is made up of a series of earthworks in geometrical shapes, with walls 12 feet high and more than 1,000 feet across. The park preserves six of these earthworks that visitors can see. They represent important spiritual and ceremonial remnants of the Hopewell culture.
Public events are held at the park throughout the year, but a visit on your own is one of the best ways to take in the significance of the site. It is helpful to obtain an aerial map of the earthworks prior to your visit, so that you know what you are seeing from the ground.
Address: 16062 OH-104, Chillicothe, Ohio
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Colonial And Revolutionary Eras
New FranceCanada Ohio CountryFrench and Indian WarTreaty of Paris Province of Quebec Indian Reserve American Revolutionary WarWestern theater of the American Revolutionary WarTreaty of Paris
During the 18th century, the French set up a system of trading posts to control the fur trade in the region. Beginning in 1754, France and Great Britain fought the French and Indian War. As a result of the Treaty of Paris, the French ceded control of Ohio and the remainder of the Old Northwest to Great Britain. In the Treaty of Paris in 1783, Britain ceded all claims to Ohio country to the United States.
Great State Parks For Camping And Hiking In Ohio
Charlie has spent the last couple years hiking and camping in Ohio State Parks.
My hiking companion Versa peers over a stone wall near Clear Fork Gorge inside Mohican State Park.
Charlie R. Claywell
Because of its location, Ohio is home to a wide range of interesting landscapes and this is especially true of the parks scattered throughout the state. Ive had the pleasure of hiking and camping in quite of few Ohio parks.
Here are my five favorite Ohio State Parks for hiking, camping and photography.
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Lazy River At Granville
The family-friendly Lazy River park is located in Granville, Ohio, in the Welsh Hills area near Columbus. The park has a plethora of exciting activities including a splash pad, basketball court, zip lining, and a two-story challenge course to test your skills, along with a game room and large recreation hall.
Lazy River at Granville features Snappie who is always ready for a hug. It is one of the most family-fun campgrounds in Ohio!
A creek that runs through the property is great for fishing or wading. Pedal carts will keep the young ones entertained and even Fido can enjoy the dog park. A swimming pool, hiking trails, and BMX jumps will make campers of any age entertained. Keep in mind the parks themed weekends when planning your adventure.
Free Camping In Wayne National Forest
At almost 250,000 acres, Wayne National Forest has 9 developed campgrounds and 300 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, horses, and OHVs. Spread across the 3 units , free camping is found at the trailhead of many of these trails during the riding season, usually April – December.
There are over a dozen of these dispersed camping areas throughout the Forest, even more if you are one of those hardy backpacking types. Backcountry camping is allowed along most of the trails, including the North Country Trail, that wind through the Forest.
Here are the highlights of the trailhead camping areas:
The Kinderhook Trail System is the newest trail in Wayne National forest just north of Newport. With a 12 mile scenic multi-use trail, there is ample parking at the trailhead where trailers and RVs can set up.
Athens Unit
The Monday Creek OHV Trail System is a collection of 8 trails, each with its own trailhead where camping is allowed. Be sure to consult the helpful forest service map of this system.
The Wildcat Hollow Trail is a dedicated hiking trail comprising two loops, the longer 17 miles and the shorter 5 miles for day use. Free camping is allowed at the trailhead. This map provides a good lay of the land. This trail connects to the Monroe Overlook trial, where one can enjoy panoramic views of the countryside.
Ironton Unit
In the southern section of this unit, the Hanging Rock Trail System has 26 miles of multi-use trails. Primitive camping is allowed at the trailhead.
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Kids Activities Near Me: Lamping Homestead At Wayne National Forest
Formerly the farmstead of the Lamping family during the 1800s, the Lamping Homestead is now a beautiful and remote recreational area that offers plenty of opportunities for camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. There are two hiking trails in the park both are loops, and one is 3.5 miles and the other is 1.5 miles. Visitors to the park can also enjoy lunch in the park’s picnic shelter or at one of its eight picnic sites. The park is open every day between mid-April and mid-December, and entry is free of charge.
Phone: 740-373-9055
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Overlooked Ohio State Parks To Camp With The Whole Family
This article was brought to you by Wenzel, whose fleece sleeping bag will keep your whole family feeling cozy on even the chilliest of autumn nights in any of these Ohio state parks.
With more than 70 state parks scattered across The Buckeye State, there are plenty of great options for outdoor exploring and camping in Ohio. But if youre looking to avoid the crowds and set course for the road less traveled, weve gathered together an awesome list of the most overlooked and underrated state parks in Ohio.
Well kick things off with a few state parks that are indeed lesser-known, but still have a bit of a reputation around Ohio. Then well steadily move into the truly hidden gems that eagerly await more visitors.
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Best Camping Spots In Hocking Hills
Many of the campsites along the main road are right on top of each other. These sites also seem to be lacking shade.
We recommend you avoid these. Instead, get a site down near the end of a cul-de-sac.
We were in site 159, which was decent. Site 163 looks to be the very best site in the entire campground.
Our Hocking Hills Camping adventure lasted 4 nights, which was a good amount of time to hike all the trails.
Old Mans Cave Camping
There is no camping at Old Mans Cave itself, but the rental cabins have access to the cave trail.
These cottages are very popular, so you need to book early!
There is also Hocking Hills tent camping available at the family walk-in camp area. A youth group camp is available to be reserved.
Ohio Camping: Portage Lakes State Park
Portage Lakes State Park is set around the eight Portage Lakes in New Franklin, encompassing 2,034 acres that are popular for outdoor recreational activities. The 411 acres of Portage Lakes State Park offer visitors a variety of outdoor recreational experiences from boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming to birding and wildlife watching in the wetlands. A campground boasts electric and non-electric campsites and cabin rentals, restrooms with flushing toilets and hot showers, picnic tables and fire rings, and a dump station. Additional amenities include an amphitheater for special events, a basketball hoop, a childrens playground, picnic shelters, and horseshoes.
5031 Manchester Rd, Akron, OH 44319, Phone: 330-644-2220
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Paint Creek Dam Site Ohio Campground Images Info & Reservations
Directions From Chillicothe Ohio, take Route 50 west for 18 miles to Bainbridge. Ohio. Three miles past Bainbridge, turn right on Rapid Forge Road. Go 2 miles north and turn left into the Paint Creek Dam Site Area. Little Pond Shelter is located on the right just before crossing the dam. Overlook Shelter is located at the end of the road at the emergency spillway overlook. Phone 365-1470 LAKE OFFICE Activities BIKING, BOATING, CAMPING, HIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING, WATER SPORTS,
Quail Hollow Loop Quail Hollow State Park
- Trail type: Loop
- Length: 3 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Access: Quail Hollow Parking Area on Congress Lake Avenue near Hartville
When it comes to hiking Ohio, hiking in Northeast Ohio is a sure bet. In fact, Quail Hollow State Park is one of your best options in the Cleveland Area, especially if youre on the lookout for a short day trip.
This park is situated just outside of Cleveland and it offers about 16 miles of interpretive trails for hikers to enjoy. Although there are a lot of trails to choose from in the park, the Quail Hollow Loop is a solid choice for hikers of all ability levels.
To access this hike, youll begin at the parks primary trailhead and pick up the wide path at the back of the parking lot. From there, you have an endless series of trails to follow, but taking the main path that loops around the park is a great choice.
Along this trek, youll pass through stunning forests and a number of flower-filled fields. Since the park contains a network of different trails, you can shorten or extend your hike as needed. Or, if you dont mind horses, you can venture out onto the nearby equestrian trails for added fun.
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Backpack Trail Shawnee State Forest
- Length: 38.5 miles
- Difficulty: Hard
- Access: Backpackers Kiosk off Route 125 near West Portsmouth
One of Southern Ohios top hiking trails, the Backpack Trail is a must-do trek for experienced backpackers.
Overall, the state forests backcountry trails total about 50 miles, though this 38.5-mile loop tags all the highlights. It starts at a small self-registration kiosk on Route 125 and heads directly into the woods.
While hiking, youll follow an orange-blazed path that climbs up and down a seemingly endless series of hills. These trails traverse some of the best forested terrain in the entire state, so expect stellar views and many waterfalls.
Most folks find that they can complete this hike in about 3 to 5 days. But, with an assortment of different side trails available, you could easily extend this to be a week-long adventure.
Kellys Island State Park
Camping in Ohio doesnt get much more unique than Kellys Island State Park. This lovely campground is located in the middle of Lake Erie on Emerald Island.
Its a large park with plenty of shorelines to enjoy. While campers need to take a ferry to access the island, RVs are always welcome.
At the park, campers will discover a mix of electric and non-electric sites with a nearby dump station. Camp amenities also include showers, picnic tables, fire pits, and a fish cleaning station. While many dont see island getaways as a viable option when camping in Ohio, Kellys Island makes it possible. A look at Kellys Island just goes to show that campgrounds in Ohio state are extremely diverse.
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