When it comes to blazing a trail, Ohio has some simply excellent places for the adventurer in you to explore. Whether you’re ready for an all-day hike or a short trail that allows you to stop and be still to take in the sights and sounds of nature for hours without getting lost, you’ll find just what you’re looking for. Pack some trail mix and prepare to embrace nature along the best hiking spots in Ohio. Check out some of these local favorites:

  1. Hocking Hills State Park

J. Todd Poling/Flickr With waterfalls, giant rocks and caves to explore in this park, Hocking County is home to arguably the state’s favorite place to hike. You can find Hocking Hills State Park at 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138.

  1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Besty Weber/Flickr Located in Peninsula, this park contains giant rocks and waterfalls to discover as well. As the only national park in the state, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one destination Ohioans and out-of-towners alike should check out. Find it near Brandywine Rd, Northfield, OH 44067.

  1. Mohican State Park

rayb777/Flickr Small waterfalls can also be found in the Mohican State Forest in Loudonville. This Ashland County getaway is incredibly scenic, making it perfect for hiking and float trips alike. Go hiking at 975 O D N R Mohican Rd 51, Perrysville, OH 44864.

  1. Lake Hope State Park

Erica Cherup/Flickr A large body of water undeniably makes a hiking spot that much better. Such is the case with Lake Hope in Athens, a 2,983 acre landscape within the even vaster Zaleski State Forest. Find Lake Hope at 27331 OH-278, McArthur, OH 45651.

  1. Arc of Appalachia Preserves

Eve Hermann/Flickr Okay, so this isn’t exactly one specific hiking spot… it’s a collective of incredible natural and culturally significant spots. The Arc of Appalachia Preserves cover 6,900 acres in Ohio, encompassing fascinating spots like Highlands Nature Sanctuary and the Great Serpent Mound. You can visit the latter site at 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660. Visit the Arc of Appalachia online for more sites to explore.

  1. Mill Creek Park

Jack Pearce/Flickr Mill Creek Park in Youngstown is a charming 2,657 acre park that has been welcoming visitors since 1891. With more than 15 miles of hiking trails, you’ll love exploring the local landscape. Immerse yourself in nature at 123 McKinley Ave, Youngstown, OH 44509.

  1. Quail Hollow State Park

Ken Colwell/Flickr Hartville, Ohio is home to this hiking spot. In addition to trails, this park also features herb gardens and the Carriage House Nature Preserve. Find Quail Hollow State Park at 13480 Congress Lake Ave NE, Hartville, OH 44632.

  1. Clear Creek Metro Park

rayb777/Flickr Located in Rockbridge, this park features 12 miles of fairly advanced hiking trails. Nonetheless, Clear Creek Metro Park is a gorgeous haven that’s home to a diverse 800 species of plants. Put your skills to the test at Clear Creek Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149.

  1. Strouds Run State Park

Thomas Draudt/Google Images Tucked away in Athens, Strouds Run State Park features 2,606 gorgeous acres plus a 160 acre man-made lake that was completed in 1960. Hit the trails or explore the lake at 11661 State Park Rd, Athens, OH 45701.

  1. Caesar Creek State Park

John Nelson/Google Images This pretty park in Waynesville, Ohio is 7,530 acres in total, and it is a joy to explore. Caesar Creek Lake may be a man-made attraction, but local wildlife certainly loves to flock to its shores. Check it out at 8570 OH-73, Waynesville, OH 45068.

  1. Burr Oak State Park

Joseph Wingenfeld/Flickr Located in Glouster, this park features three bridle trails in addition to seven hiking trails. Spend the day exploring nature and then immerse in the relaxing milieu of the Burr Oak Lodge & Conference Center’s 38 rooms. Find the park at 10660 Burr Oak Lodge Rd, Glouster, OH 45732.

  1. Slate Run Park

Amy K. Watson/Flickr Slate Run Metro Park is a diverse little landscape with meadows, fishing opportunities, play sets, and more. This family-friendly park features 1,705 acres that can be explored at 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, OH 43110.

  1. Brookside Reservation

Heather McLaughlin/Flickr This lovely landscape in the Cleveland Metroparks is a 132-acre space that locals love. Brookside Reservation was originally a City of Cleveland park that was purchased in 1894. Visit it at 3900 John Nagy Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44144.

  1. John Bryan State Park

Angelskiss31/Flickr John Bryan State Park is a favorite in Western Ohio. Surrounding Clifton Gorge in Greene County, hikers can spot springs from the Little Miami River. Find this 752-acre state park at 3790 OH-370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387.

  1. Indian Lake State Park

jamieotterbein/Flickr Located in Lakeview, Indian Lake State Park is a summertime haven. This historic feeder lake for the Miami & Erie Canal is now a water wonderland with boating, swimming, and more. Check it out at 12774 OH-235, Lakeview, OH 43331.

 

J. Todd Poling/Flickr

With waterfalls, giant rocks and caves to explore in this park, Hocking County is home to arguably the state’s favorite place to hike. You can find Hocking Hills State Park at 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138.

Besty Weber/Flickr

Located in Peninsula, this park contains giant rocks and waterfalls to discover as well. As the only national park in the state, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one destination Ohioans and out-of-towners alike should check out. Find it near Brandywine Rd, Northfield, OH 44067.

rayb777/Flickr

Small waterfalls can also be found in the Mohican State Forest in Loudonville. This Ashland County getaway is incredibly scenic, making it perfect for hiking and float trips alike. Go hiking at 975 O D N R Mohican Rd 51, Perrysville, OH 44864.

Erica Cherup/Flickr

A large body of water undeniably makes a hiking spot that much better. Such is the case with Lake Hope in Athens, a 2,983 acre landscape within the even vaster Zaleski State Forest. Find Lake Hope at 27331 OH-278, McArthur, OH 45651.

Eve Hermann/Flickr

Okay, so this isn’t exactly one specific hiking spot… it’s a collective of incredible natural and culturally significant spots. The Arc of Appalachia Preserves cover 6,900 acres in Ohio, encompassing fascinating spots like Highlands Nature Sanctuary and the Great Serpent Mound. You can visit the latter site at 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660. Visit the Arc of Appalachia online for more sites to explore.

Jack Pearce/Flickr

Mill Creek Park in Youngstown is a charming 2,657 acre park that has been welcoming visitors since 1891. With more than 15 miles of hiking trails, you’ll love exploring the local landscape. Immerse yourself in nature at 123 McKinley Ave, Youngstown, OH 44509.

Ken Colwell/Flickr

Hartville, Ohio is home to this hiking spot. In addition to trails, this park also features herb gardens and the Carriage House Nature Preserve. Find Quail Hollow State Park at 13480 Congress Lake Ave NE, Hartville, OH 44632.

Located in Rockbridge, this park features 12 miles of fairly advanced hiking trails. Nonetheless, Clear Creek Metro Park is a gorgeous haven that’s home to a diverse 800 species of plants. Put your skills to the test at Clear Creek Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149.

Thomas Draudt/Google Images

Tucked away in Athens, Strouds Run State Park features 2,606 gorgeous acres plus a 160 acre man-made lake that was completed in 1960. Hit the trails or explore the lake at 11661 State Park Rd, Athens, OH 45701.

John Nelson/Google Images

This pretty park in Waynesville, Ohio is 7,530 acres in total, and it is a joy to explore. Caesar Creek Lake may be a man-made attraction, but local wildlife certainly loves to flock to its shores. Check it out at 8570 OH-73, Waynesville, OH 45068.

Joseph Wingenfeld/Flickr

Located in Glouster, this park features three bridle trails in addition to seven hiking trails. Spend the day exploring nature and then immerse in the relaxing milieu of the Burr Oak Lodge & Conference Center’s 38 rooms. Find the park at 10660 Burr Oak Lodge Rd, Glouster, OH 45732.

Amy K. Watson/Flickr

Slate Run Metro Park is a diverse little landscape with meadows, fishing opportunities, play sets, and more. This family-friendly park features 1,705 acres that can be explored at 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, OH 43110.

Heather McLaughlin/Flickr

This lovely landscape in the Cleveland Metroparks is a 132-acre space that locals love. Brookside Reservation was originally a City of Cleveland park that was purchased in 1894. Visit it at 3900 John Nagy Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44144.

Angelskiss31/Flickr

John Bryan State Park is a favorite in Western Ohio. Surrounding Clifton Gorge in Greene County, hikers can spot springs from the Little Miami River. Find this 752-acre state park at 3790 OH-370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387.

jamieotterbein/Flickr

Located in Lakeview, Indian Lake State Park is a summertime haven. This historic feeder lake for the Miami & Erie Canal is now a water wonderland with boating, swimming, and more. Check it out at 12774 OH-235, Lakeview, OH 43331.

Grab your backpack and a friend — adventure awaits! Do you think these are some of the best hiking spots in Ohio? Are there any locations you’d add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Love nature? Embrace the beauty of the natural world at some of the state’s best forests and preserves.

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Address: Hocking Hills State Park Cabins, Logan, OH 43138, USAAddress: Northfield, OH 44067, USAAddress: Mohican State Park, 3116 OH-3, Loudonville, OH 44842, USAAddress: Lake Hope State Park, 27331 OH-278, McArthur, OH 45651, USAAddress: 7660 Cave Rd, Bainbridge, OH 45612, USAAddress: Mill Creek Park Rd, Brookeland, TX 75931, USAAddress: Hartville, OH 44632, USAAddress: Clear Creek Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149, USAAddress: Strouds Run State Park, 11661 State Park Rd, Athens, OH 45701, USAAddress: Caesar Creek State Park, 8570 OH-73, Waynesville, OH 45068, USAAddress: 10220 Burr Oak Lodge Rd, Glouster, OH 45732, USAAddress: Canal Winchester, OH, USAAddress: 3900 John Nagy Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44144, USAAddress: John Bryan State Park, 3790 OH-370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USAAddress: Indian Lake State Park, 13156 OH-235, Lakeview, OH 43331, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hiking Spots In Ohio October 11, 2020 Nikki Rhoades Can I hike to historical sites in Ohio? Some of the locations above are on historic property, but there are many other historic hiking spots. Visit an actual castle in Cleveland or check out archaeological earthworks that remind us of Ohio’s earliest residents. Does Ohio have any natural wonders?  While Ohio’s landscape is diverse and breathtaking, the glacial grooves on the Lake Erie islands are the most magnificent natural landmark. These striations were actually left behind by glaciers during the last ice age! What are the best family-friendly hikes in Ohio? There are many family-friendly hiking spots in Ohio, including Three Creeks Metro Park and Cincinnati Nature Center.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hiking Spots In Ohio

October 11, 2020

Nikki Rhoades

Can I hike to historical sites in Ohio? Some of the locations above are on historic property, but there are many other historic hiking spots. Visit an actual castle in Cleveland or check out archaeological earthworks that remind us of Ohio’s earliest residents. Does Ohio have any natural wonders?  While Ohio’s landscape is diverse and breathtaking, the glacial grooves on the Lake Erie islands are the most magnificent natural landmark. These striations were actually left behind by glaciers during the last ice age! What are the best family-friendly hikes in Ohio? There are many family-friendly hiking spots in Ohio, including Three Creeks Metro Park and Cincinnati Nature Center.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Some of the locations above are on historic property, but there are many other historic hiking spots. Visit an actual castle in Cleveland or check out archaeological earthworks that remind us of Ohio’s earliest residents.

Does Ohio have any natural wonders? 

While Ohio’s landscape is diverse and breathtaking, the glacial grooves on the Lake Erie islands are the most magnificent natural landmark. These striations were actually left behind by glaciers during the last ice age!

What are the best family-friendly hikes in Ohio?

There are many family-friendly hiking spots in Ohio, including Three Creeks Metro Park and Cincinnati Nature Center.