Ohio

Getting to Ash Cave is extremely easy with a short half-mile loop hike from the parking area; there's also a rim trail above the cave that adds 90 feet of elevation and some extra distance. The cave is great for relaxing in the shade during a hot day, enjoying a spring picnic, or grabbing some im...

The Scout Trail at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark in Swanton, Ohio is an easy hike that covers a lot of beautiful ground! I love this hike and do it several times each season (REALLY recommend the fall for the gorgeous colors!). I am constantly surprised by how few people take advantage of this ...

This is a lovely 2 mile hike along Mill Creek. We parked by Lake Newport and started off on the West Gorge Trail toward the Mill. The trail itself was decent, with some rough spots, but still hike able. Make sure you go down to the Creek before you head across the covered bridge to the East Gorge...

To get to this trail you can go to the Dam that is a part of Pleasant Hill Lake and there is a parking area across the street. After you start walking you reach signs that will ask where you want to go, either to the covered bridge or to the Lyons Falls.By going towards the covered bridge first y...

Cantwell Cliffs is one of the more northern units of the overall Hocking Hills State Park Region. Located off of OH SR 374, a short 0.1 spur trail takes you from the parking lot to the rim of the gorge and the area's namesake cliffs. From there, you have two choices: Turn left and descend through...

The location of the fossil hunt is within the emergency spillway of the Caesar Creek Dam. Once there, simply look at the ground and at any rocks in the vicinity. It won't take long to find a variety of Ordovician fossils; Trilobites (Ohio's State Fossil), Horn Coral, Gastropods, Brachiopods, and ...

Starting at the nature center near the entrance of the park, the 2.5 mile long Dripping Rock Trail heads off in two directions, to the south and to the west. Either way will take you back to the nature center at the end of the day. Going west takes you past an observation deck and then along a de...

A great evening getaway while in Columbus, Hayden Run Falls is easy to access. The path to the falls is a well-maintained boardwalk above the floodplain of the Scioto River, just a little over a 0.1 mile in length. The boardwalk takes you right up to the very foot of the 35 foot tall waterfall, a...

The trail starts just south of Indigo Lake along the Towpath Trail near Akron. Head north on the cinder towpath towards Indigo Lake and past the beaver marsh all along the Cuyahoga River. The trail is heavily wooded but runs along the winding road and bike lane that goes through the park, every s...

To begin, park next to the cemetery located on T-411 in Wayne National Forest. The trail begins on the north side of the cemetery and leads into the woods from there. In less than a 1/4 mile the trail forks into two separate trails, being both the beginning and terminus of the Archers Fork Loop T...

Indian Run Falls is a family friendly destination for the metro lifestyle. Sitting just outside downtown Dublin, the falls are easily accessible from the nearby parking lot, with the roar of the fall audible as soon as you get out of your car. For those seeking a hike, there is a 1/2 mile trail t...

Starting at the lower parking lot, follow the signs that direct you to the trails near the shelterhouse. Within 0.2 of a mile the trail forks; follow the left fork heading east along the Little Miami River. This is the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail, which for 1.3 miles winds its way alon...

Starting at the the parking lot off of OH SR 282, cross the road and you'll arrive at the base of the conglomerate cliffs that give the park its name. From there, follow the blue blazed trail to get the best views and overall experience of the park. The blue blazed trail follows the base of the c...

The camping spots at Morgan's are right along the Little Miami River, making it a peaceful and beautiful place to camp. There are more than 50 sites to camp at. (Note: not all camp sites are along the water.) The campsites vary in size. There are sites for 2 and sites for 20. There are a decent a...

Starting at the northern parking lot, head south along the Shawnee Ridge Trail. Several spur and loop trails intersect the trail along the 10 mile out-and-back hike. Many of these spur trails include difficult hikes up large hills like Sugarloaf Mountain, Sand Hill, and Mt. Ives. At each trail in...

The trailhead is to the Independence Pass viewing deck is located at the Summit parking area, which is about 20 miles from Aspen and 24 miles west of Highway 24 on the Leadville side. At the parking area you will notice a paved walkway that takes you to the viewdeck, which is a easy five minute w...