Ohio might have a reputation for being mostly cornfields... and for being home to the Mistake on the Lake (don't worry, Cleveland, we love you). But that's okay! It just means that the insane natural beauty hidden in Ohio's state and national parks is a lot less crowded than it might otherwise be. Start in the Northeastern corner of the state, in the charming, one-of-a-kind landscapes of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and then meander south through the bucolic small towns and parks until you hit Hocking Hills. This state park is a drop-dead gorgeous stunner, with caves, waterfalls, stone footbridges, twisting gorges, and loads more to explore. It really does feel like something out of an ancient myth!
Just about a half an hour south of Cleveland's hustle and bustle is a gem that perhaps many have not heard of: Cuyahoga National Park. Cuyahoga is truly a haven where you can escape from everyday life and feel as if you're a whole lot further away from reality than you actually are! The park is perfect for a day trip or a full weekend escape. Over 100 miles of hiking are available for anyone. Check out overlooks with views stretching for miles and miles, striking waterfalls, mossy gorges with hidden caves, and meadows of wildflowers. Hiking not your scene? Hop on a vintage train and experience both nostalgia and endless nature on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, where you'll learn some fascinating history and get to experience the area in its entirety! Cuyahoga Valley is unlike any other national park, and that makes it well worth exploring.
A historic landmark of the War of 1812, and a significant area rich in Native American and settler history, Portage Lakes State Park is a gem containing thousands of acres for all kinds of activities. The eight Portage Lakes are a fisherman's dream, with plenty of room for swimming and boat paddling. There are a handful of kayak, paddle board and pontoon rental places to check out if you want to spend a full day of fun on the water. If boating on a lake isn't your cup of tea, four trails allow you to spread out and explore the area; one even encompasses part of the Buckeye Trail. Portage Lakes State Park features a dog park as well, so no need to worry if your furry friend is tagging along on the trip! With loads of activities for everyone, Portage Lakes is a great stop on your adventure.
A visit to Malabar Farm State Park may seem like something straight out of a novel set in simpler times, and that's because it is! Louis Bromfield, a Pulitzer Prize winner, founded the 900-acre slice of heaven and used it as inspiration for many pieces of literature. Since his death in 1956, the farm has been a place for visitors to hike, see demonstrations, attend festivals throughout the year, and experience the magic of the Ohio countryside. Classic Hollywood stars Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were even married right here on the farm! Taking a tour through the house or a tractor ride around allows for the full experience, or simply pack a picnic and enjoy the gorgeous property and fresh air. Malabar Farm State Park is a destination you definitely do not want to miss, whether you're into history, animals and farm life, or perhaps even visiting the restaurant or farmers’ market on-site!
Encompassing over 2,000 acres, the strikingly scenic Dillon State Park offers an endless array of outdoor activities for anyone stopping through. A large lake allows you to boat or fish as you please, or you can even rent a paddleboard or canoe! Aside from miles and miles of hiking and biking options, Dillon State Park invites visitors to try out shooting and archery as well. Just about anything you would want to do outdoors can be found here, and what a better way to enjoy a beautiful Ohio summer night than with a sunset hike or kayak adventure? The scenery itself is enough to make you want to pull out your camera and savor the moment. It's places like this that make you take a deep breath and appreciate the simple things in life.
Tom's Ice Cream Bowl is a piece of Zanesville history that will make you glad you stopped. Around since 1948, the classic ice cream parlor hasn't changed a bit. The nostalgia of this place is oh-so-real; at Tom's, they make their own ice cream, roast their own nuts, and even process all of their toppings themselves by hand, including the decadent peanut butter! Huge bowls of original flavors and funky combinations make this place a unique Ohio experience that you won't want to miss. It's not often that you come across old-fashioned gems that have remained the same since their beginning, but Tom's is a one-of-a-kind hot spot that people have enjoyed through the generations-- and will continue to savor for many to come.
Indulge the quirky side we all secretly have, with a visit to the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum. Places like this are a perfect way to spend a little time learning and experiencing something new. Paul began building his collection of over 3,000 pencil sharpeners in 1989, and after his death in 2010, his collection was shared with the Hocking Hills Tourism Association, so his well-known hobby might live on for others to experience. The museum is located inside the Hocking Hills Welcome Center, and is free to the public. The offbeat displays of different kinds of sharpeners are entertaining and something you definitely won't experience elsewhere!
Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve is one of Hocking Hill's most well-known features. The gorge’s sandstone cliffs rise 200 feet high, and its waterfalls create striking scenery you simply need to see with your own eyes. Trails make for some great hiking, including the strenuous rim trail. While this 2.5-mile trail will give you a workout, being above the gorge and taking in the beauty is worth the effort. The lower trail is paved and very easily accessible, so the preserve welcomes anyone and everyone to enjoy all of its natural beauty. The colors of each season create a different experience with each visit, and smaller crowds make Conkle's the place to be.
Caves, gorges, and waterfalls all packed into one state park? Yes, please! Hocking Hills State Park is a nature lover's dream. Thousands of acres of natural splendor will captivate the outdoorsman in anyone; the park is definitely worth multiple days of adventure. Old Man's Cave alone draws visitors from all around, and is made up of twisting, eroded sandstone and waterfalls within the gorge. Hocking Hills is also rich in Native American history, and contains wildlife unique to the area. It all makes for an interesting place to learn about, for those wanting to gain some insight into this world of its own. For those with the cornfield stereotype of Ohio still in their head, Hocking Hills will leave you speechless. The dramatic picturesque views go on for miles, and will complete anyone's trip through the underrated nature-filled state.
Ohio’s beauty doesn't get as much praise as it deserves. The span of the state can be traversed in under a handful of hours, making traveling manageable and allowing you to see a variety of attractions in every direction more easily than in other states. The beauty of Ohio's parks ranks up there with the best of the best, and unique hidden gems along the way make your travels fun and interesting. If you haven't given Ohio a chance to wow you, definitely take the time to soon. It won't disappoint!
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