Ohio has dozens of amazing state parks to choose from, and whether you like camping, hiking, biking, swimming, boating or watching wildlife, there’s definitely something for even the most novice of explorers. Pick one park out and make the drive from Cleveland before summer ends. — or try to hit them all.
West Branch State Park
5570 Esworthy Road, Ravenna, 330-296-3239
West Branch State Park is known for its 2,650-acre lake, which makes a great site for swimming, boating and fishing. The park is also home to bog land and lots of wildlife.
Photo via richardulmes/InstagramSalt Fork State Park
14755 Cadiz Road, Lore City, 740-439-3521
Salt Fork State Park is frequently known as the location of many Bigfoot sightings, so it’s the perfect place to do some searching. There’s also park programming centered around the mysterious Sasquatch.
Photo via loveprojection7 and brandonshelbyy/InstagramNelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park
State Route 282, Nelson Township, 330-654-4989
Known for its cliffs, this park is a great destination for hiking and picnicking.
Photo via handinhandadventures/InstagramAlum Creek State Park
3305 S. Old State Road, Delaware, 740-548-4631
If you’re looking for a little piece of paradise to soak up some rays, this park could be your next destination. Check out the beach and the boating opportunities.
Photo via juju_b_23/InstagramHocking Hills State Park
19852 State Route 664 S, Logan, 740-385-6842
Hocking Hills is famous for its gorgeous hiking trails and large variety of engaging activities.
Photo via cessna_marie/InstagramJohn Bryan State Park
3790 State Route 370, Yellow Springs, 937-767-1274
This park offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking, but it’s known best for its limestone gorge, a national natural landmark.
Photo via ohioliz/InstagramLake Loramie State Park
4401 Ft. Loramie Swanders Road, Minster, 937-295-2011
Known as a laid-back camping destination, Lake Loramie State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities. It’s also pet friendly!
Photo via hxcorey412/InstagramFindley State Park
25381 State Route 58, Wellington, 440-647-4490
Findley State Park was once a state forest, so it’s filled with wooded areas and extensive hiking trails. There’s even a connection to the Buckeye Trail from within the park.
Photo via nickhallandbeyond/InstagramLake Hope State Park
27331 State Route 278, McArthur, 740-596-4938
Lake Hope State Park rests in the Zaleski State Forest, and its interesting geography attracts many photographers to the park.
Photo via pjasovsky/InstagramEast Harbor State Park
1169 N. Buck Road, Lakeside-Marblehead, 419-734-4424
Located on a Lake Erie shore, East Harbor State Park provides visitors with ample opportunities to see wildlife, such as waterfowl, shorebirds and wetland dwellers.
Photo via crimsnmacchiato/InstagramCuyahoga Valley National Park
1550 Boston Mills Road, Peninsula, 330-657-2752
Cuyahoga Valley National Park has much to offer, with its cleaned-up river and numerous walking and hiking trails. You can even hop on a train and take in the views on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Photo via sabrinainthewild/InstagramCaesar Creek State Park
8570 E State Route 73, Waynesville, 513-897-3055
Caesar Creek State Park has a lot of boating and a lot of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and more.
Photo via recr8fun/InstagramBeaver Creek State Park
12021 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool, 330-385-3091
At Beaver Creek State Park, visitors can dive not only into wildlife but also into history. Visit Gaston’s Mill and see abandoned canal locks and a pioneer village.
Photo via cessna_marie/InstagramForked Run State Park
63300 State Route 124, Reedsville, 740-378-6206
Forked Run State Park features the Ohio River, which helps create beautiful views with wooded hills, vistas and lots of wildlife.
Photo via food_nature_haf/InstagramHueston Woods State Park
6301 Park Office Road, College Corner, 513-523-6347
Hueston Woods State Park features all of the typical park activities, such as camping, hiking and fishing. But it also features fossil hunting.
Photo via mandastevens07/InstagramIndian Lake State Park
13156 State Route 235 N, Lakeview, 937-843-2717
This park’s man-made lake has two beaches for visitors to enjoy, as well as opportunities to fish, boat and jet-ski.
Photo via matthew0697/InstagramGeneva State Park
4499 Padanarum Road, Geneva, 440-466-8400
Geneva State Park is a destination for ziplining, weddings, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking and more. There’s plenty to do on the Lake Erie shores.
Photo via cassandra_holloway/InstagramKelleys Island State Park
920 Division Street, Kelleys Island, 419-746-2546
Hop on the ferry, rent a golf cart and get ready to enjoy nature and a drink.
Photo via mattwarholic/InstagramMaumee Bay State Park
1400 State Park Road, Oregon, 419-836-7758
Enjoy recreational activities at the lodge, or check out the wildlife in the meadows and marshes.
Photo via bethanylynne237/InstagramMohican State Park
3116 State Route 3, Loudonville, 419-994-5125
Hike and bike near the Clear Fork Gorge and the Clear Fork River.
Photo via macybo24/InstagramMosquito Lake State Park
1439 State Route 305, Cortland, 330-637-2856
If you love nature, this park is a must. Mosquito Lake is one of the largest lakes in Ohio, and there are a ton of woodlands and marshes around it that wildlife call home.
Photo via eakw/InstagramMt. Gilead State Park
4119 State Route 95, Mt. Gilead, 866-644-6727
Do you like volleyball, horseshoes, shuffle board, basketball and playgrounds? There’s something for everyone at Mt. Gilead State Park.
Photo via nanceles/InstagramPymatuning State Park
6100 Pymatuning Lake Road, Andover, 440- 293-6030
Pick out a campsite at Pymatuning State Park and check out what happens when water recreation and an old swamp forest meet.
Photo via judypeppercorn/InstagramPunderson State Park
11755 Kinsman Road, Newbury, 440-564-2279
Visitors can pick where to stay from a resort manor house, cabins and a campground. And although folks should check out the boating and canoeing in the summer, they can also try the sledding and snowmobiling in the winter.
Photo via dagwood_designs/InstagramPortage Lakes State Park
5031 Manchester Road, Akron, 866-644-6727
At Portage Lakes State Park, visitors can check out the wildlife at the wetlands or go boating and swimming on one of the nearby lakes.
Photo via miss_mandipants/InstagramQuail Hollow State Park
13480 Congress Lake Avenue, Hartville, 330-409-8096
Quail Hollow State Park offers meadows, marshes and woods to explore, but it also a 40-room manor and gardens to check out if you’re feeling less like becoming one with nature.
Photo via _cochise/InstagramWolf Run State Park
16170 Wolf Run Road, Caldwell, 740-732-5035
If you need a relaxing trip, head over to Wolf Run State Park, a remote area in the hills.
Photo via ottah_fairmont/InstagramKiser Lake State Park
4370 Kiser Lake Road, St. Paris, 937-362-3565
Jump on in, the water’s clear. Kiser Lake State Park is known for its clean, clear lake.
Photo via jasonavoorhees/InstagramSouth Bass Island State Park
1523 Catawba Avenue, Put-In-Bay, 419-285-2112
This park is located on the white cliffs of South Bass Island, which gives visitors great views and access to Lake Erie.
Photo via lindseyannebunn/InstagramShawnee State Park
4404 State Route 125, Portsmouth, 740-858-6652
Shawnee State Park features many valleys and hills, offering beautiful views on the historic land where the Shawnee Indians used to hunt.
Photo via maryjanelemler/Instagram
