The Best State Parks to Visit in Ohio
Ohio’s stunning natural beauty is nowhere more evident than in its spectacular state parks. With 76 to choose from, visitors can enjoy cascading waterfalls, forest glades, sandy shorelines, crystal-clear lakes, wildflower meadows, lush woodlands, and much more. Always open and free to use, these Ohio parks are a great way to spend an afternoon with the family or take a few days to disconnect and enjoy the tranquility of unspoiled nature. These are eight of the most beautiful state parks in Ohio.
Buckeye Lake State Park
Considered Ohio’s oldest state park, Buckeye Lake dates back to the 1820s when it was first used as a recreation area. One of the 16 original parks officially designated in 1949, the 3,100-acre park covers Buckeye Lake and a four-mile shoreline path. A popular destination for daytrippers eager to get their boat in the water, Buckeye Lake is known as a fishing and swimming hotspot. Anglers can expect to catch perch, bluegill, crappy, largemouth bass, and catfish. There are two public swimming areas on the north and south sides of the lakes, with beaches open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In the winter, visitors are welcome to try their hand at ice fishing or strap on their skates or skis to explore the lake’s winter wonderland. The closest community to Buckeye Lake State Park is Millersport, a charming small town at the lake's southern end.
Salt Fork State Park
Salt Fork State Park in eastern Ohio takes its name from a salt well at the southeastern corner of the park that Native Americans once used. An entrancing mix of forested hills, blooming meadows, deep valleys, and Salt Fork Lake, the park can accommodate almost any outdoor activity, from hiking and horseback riding to boating and fishing. If you’re looking to stay overnight, there are plenty of options within the park. Book a stay in the resort lodge, bunk up in one of the cabins, or pick a campground spot. The park also contains an 18-hole golf course and the historic Kennedy Stone House, which was built in the 1830s and is now a small museum that’s open to the public from May through October.
Hocking Hills State Park
Named one of the Top Places To Travel by Forbes and number one on Trip Advisor’s list of Ohio parks, Hocking Hills State Park has a lot of fans and it is easy to see why. Many visitors are captivated by the unique rock formations in the park, its impressive cliffs, and rushing waterfalls. Most of the park is Black Hand Sandstone, deposited over 350 million years ago. Erosion over the centuries has given the parks several fascinating landmarks, including Cantwell Cliff, Ash Cave, and the Rock House, a natural cavern tunneled out of the cliff face. The park isn’t just a daytime haven for hikers, horse riding, biking, and fishing, it is also a great place to spend a night under the stars. The John Glenn Astronomy Park within the park grounds is one of the few places in Ohio that offers a dazzling view of the night sky free from light pollution. Weather permitting, the observatory runs astronomy programs on Friday and Saturday nights from March to November.
Kelleys Island State Park
Located on an island in southern Lake Erie, Kelleys Island State Park offers incredible views over the Great Lake. At 677 acres, this is a small park, but there’s lots to do. The scenic campground offers yurts, cabins, and full-service campsites beside the lake, while nine miles of hiking trails meander through the island, offering incredible views and great birdwatching. Visit in the fall, and you might catch the magical sight of the annual Monarch butterfly migration. Fishing is one of the major activities around Kelley’s Island. Known as ‘The Walleye Capital of the World,’ Lake Erie is well stocked. For those without a boat, you’ll find a stone fishing pier and shoreline fishing available on the island's north shore. Getting to Kelleys Island State Park is easy, catch a ride on one of the privately operated ferries that run daily from the mainland at Marble Head and Sandusky.
Maumee Bay State Park
More than 300 bird species have been seen at Maumee Bay State Park on the shores of Lake Erie. An area of ecological significance, these unique wetlands officially became a state park in 1975. Expect to see snakes, turtles, frogs, raccoons, muskrats, and a variety of shorebirds, including snipe, heron, and gulls. Visit the Trautman Nature Center on the boardwalk to find out more. Pick up a trail map so you can explore the park on foot. Aside from hiking trails, there is also a 5-mile paved bike path that connects with the City of Oregon Bike Trail.
Findley State Park
Heavily wooded Findley State Park is a must-see fall destination when the park’s dense forest bursts into autumnal color. Located south of Lake Erie near the town of Wellington, the park contains 16 miles of biking and hiking trails, which are stunningly beautiful at any time of year. There’s also a 435-foot-long sandy beach that gets a lot of visitors in the summer months. If you’re lucky, you might bump into some of the forest’s wild inhabitants. Deer, fox, beaver, and raccoon all call Findley home. One park area is dedicated as a sanctuary for an extremely rare resident, the Duke’s skipper butterfly.
John Bryan State Park
In 1896, Ohio businessman John Bryan bought 335 acres, which he named Riverside Farm. In 1918, Riverside Farm became John Bryan State Park after its owner bequeathed it to the state as a nature reserve. Now, the park in Yellow Springs is one of Ohio’s most popular. It offers incredible views over the Little Miami River gorge, a National Natural Landmark that drops 130 feet through layers of limestone. Explore the gorge and enjoy breathtaking views from the 1.2-mile South Gorge Trail, or get adventurous and head for the public rock climbing and rappelling area on the North Rim Trail.
Mohican State Park
The wild, wooded landscape in Ohio’s north is on full display at Mohican State Park, where visitors are treated to incredible sights. Don’t miss Big and Little Lyons Falls, two tumbling waterfalls said to be haunted by the ghost of pioneer Paul Lyons, who fell to his death here searching for a lost cow. Big Lyons Falls plunges 80 feet into the Clear Fork Gorge, a beautiful rocky cleft fringed with old-growth pine. The falls are accessible from the 2-mile Lyons Fall Trail, or you can get the best views of the gorge on the 2-mile Gorge Overlook Trail. Visitors will also enjoy the sights over the Mohican State Scenic River, a popular place for tubing during the summer months.
Unforgettable Adventure at Ohio’s Top State Parks
Adventure awaits at Ohio’s state parks, where you can step through the entrance gates into another world: a world of timeless beauty, rare geology, diverse history, and a dazzling array of flora and fauna. It’s no wonder over 30 million visitors come to Ohio parks yearly to enjoy the best boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and biking the Buckeye State offers. Whether you’re a local looking for somewhere new to explore or a visitor exploring Ohio for the first time, add state parks to your travel itinerary this year for the adventure of a lifetime. In 2024, Ohio is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its parks system with a series of events and programs, so there’s never been a better time to visit!
