Outdoor Adventures

Start your epic outdoor adventure in southeastern Ohio with waterfalls and cliffs at Hocking Hills State Park. That’s right, this midwestern state park is home to 25 miles of hiking trails, mysterious caves, lush forests, plenty of stunning waterfalls, and even a swinging bridge. There are seven different hiking areas to explore, as well as plenty of activities to get your adrenaline rushing like rock climbing, horseback riding, even zip-lining. A few favorites are the Old Man’s Cave hike and the five mile Whispering Cave hike, so be sure to check them out! The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk so you can hike in summer and cross-country ski in winter, and it’s only about an hour away from Columbus. Each season provides a new experience. While summer provides warm weather, some of the waterfalls only run in spring, fall, and winter. The park will be gorgeous no matter what time you visit.

Take your adventure underground at Seneca Caverns. These ancient limestone caves in West Virginia are a great way to escape the heat of summer and explore life underground. Take the guided tour throughout the caverns to see the stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone that have developed in the caves over the years. The tour is about 45 minutes long and descends 165 feet below ground on a trail about a mile long. But don’t worry, there are handrails and plenty of stops to ponder the rocks and formations while your guide tells you all about the caves.

How about camping at the bottom of the sea? While there’s not water there right now, the Shenandoah Valley was once the floor of a shallow inland sea. When the water receded from this area, it carved natural towers or chimneys from the limestone. Natural Chimneys Campground is home to seven of these natural chimneys that stand 120 feet in the air and tower impressively over the land. You can visit for the day—the park is open every day from dawn to dusk—or you can stay overnight at the seasonal campground near the towering formations next to the North River.

You’ll feel like you’re exploring a new world as you wander the half-mile long boardwalk through the rock formations at Beartown State Park. Located southwest of Hillsboro, West Virginia, and accessible from Highway 219, wandering through Beartown State Park is the perfect way to chill and get out into nature. Once a single rock formation, the sections are now split with crevices that you can walk through. It's like a maze of massive, moss covered rocks. Looking to learn more about the area as you explore? There are interpretive signs along the boardwalk that talk about the local ecology of the park, so you can exercise and learn at the same time.

Only 20 miles from the New River Gorge Bridge, Babcock State Park in West Virginia has no shortage of outdoor adventures. We’re talking over 4,000 acres of mountain landscapes, more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, Boley Lake for swimming and boating, and the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill. But this park isn’t just for adventure seekers, it’s also a favorite of photographers for both the park’s natural beauty and the iconic mill. The Glad Creek Grist Mill is worth seeing, as it’s a fully-functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill. You’re going to want to spend at least a day exploring the park. And don’t worry, they have camping on-site if you want to spend the night.

Named for the massive granite stone dome that rises 600 feet above the valley floor, Stone Mountain definitely has plenty to offer. There are over 18 miles of hiking trails that meander through meadows, woods, and even past waterfalls. Like Widow’s Creek Falls, which is both a waterfall and swimming hole (not to mention an awesome spot to cool off in summer). Take the Stone Mountain Loop and you’ll come across the Hutchinson Homestead, which is a restored mid-19th century farm. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, rock climbing is permitted on designated areas of the face of Stone Mountain with a permit. Or if you want to relax and take it slow, try casting a line for trout in some of the park's 20 miles of freshwater streams.