Ohio is home to more than 80 state parks, so it’s no surprise than many travelers and first-time visitors come to this area to explore its natural beauty. From forested wonderlands to expansive lakes, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventure in the Buckeye State. Read about four of our favorite Ohio state parks below!
When you’re ready to start planning your outdoor adventure, request our Hocking Hills State Park Guide. This free resource is filled with park and trail maps, interesting facts, and everything else you need to plan a visit to our favorite nearby state park!
Request Your Hocking Hills State Park Guide
Top 5 Ohio State Parks
1. Hocking Hills State Park
Location: Logan, OH
Hocking Hills State Park is by far our favorite Ohio state parks. This recreation area spans nearly 2,500 acres and boasts more than 25 miles of scenic Hocking Hills hiking trails. Once inside the park, you can explore recess caves, rock formations, and even chase some waterfalls! Be sure to use our Hocking Hills State Park Guide to help you plan your visit!
Our Favorite Attractions in the Hocking Hills State Park
- Ash Cave
- Cantwell Cliffs
- Rockbridge State Nature Preserve
- Rose Lake
- Whispering Cave
- Old Man’s Cave
- Cedar Falls
Our Favorite Hiking Trails
Nearby Attractions Worth Visiting
2. Tar Hollow State Park
Location: 16396 Tar Hollow Rd, Laurelville, OH 43135
There are so many fun things to do at Tar Hollow State Park. This Ohio state park is about a 45-minute drive from our town, so it’s the perfect destination for a day trip in the Hocking Hills! Here, you can hike, fish, boat, kayak, canoe, and more. We love to visit in the summer to lounge around on the expansive beach. It’s the perfect place to spend a day on the water!
3. Lake Hope State Park
Location: 27331 OH-278, McArthur, OH 45651
Lake Hope State Park is a great place to experience something new. This park offers endless opportunities for boating, hiking, biking, and fishing. However, you can also interact with wildlife at this Ohio state park! During the summer, you can feed the hummingbirds at Lake Hope State Park. Simply swing by the Nature Center for everything you need to hand-feed these fluttering friends!
4. Lake Logan State Park
Location: 20160 St. Rt. 664, Logan, OH 43138
Want to spend a day on the water? Head to Lake Logan State Park! This recreation area is a short drive from the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, so it’s a great place to explore the shore near our property. Here, you can experience some of the best fishing this area has to offer, head out on a boat from one of the boat ramps, or simply swim near the shore.
5. Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve
Location: 24858 Big Pine Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149
Conkle’s Hollow is located in the scenic Hocking Hills region boast stunning, steep sandstone cliffs, carved from Black Hand sandstone, and tower over nearly 200 feet above the valley floor. Named after W.J. Conkle, this magnificent Ohio state park holds adventure around every corner abounding with cascading waterfalls, wildlife viewing, and of course, ample hiking trails. While you're there, be sure to peer down into the gorge - one of the deepest in Ohio!
Our Favorite Ways to Spend the Day in the Ohio State Parks
Our Recommended Packing List When Visiting the Ohio State Parks
While spending your day meandering down the various trails, taking a dip in the water, or capturing the perfect landscape photograph, planning ahead for your Ohio state parks' adventure is imperative! The following items are the bare essentials to ensure your day is fun-filled without having to worry about leaving anything behind.
Clothing:
- Backpack
- Hiking shoes or boots
- A light coat/rain jacket
- An extra set of clothes
- A protective hat
Food & Water:
- Snacks
- A reusable water bottle
Staying Protected & Prepared For Anything:
- Binoculars
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Medical supplies/first aid kit
- Compass and map, or the Hocking Hills State Park Guide with turn-by-turn directions.
As a reminder, please bring a trash bag or place trash in your backpack. It's important to keep any litter out of the environment and keep these state parks and nature preserves beautiful all year round!
Places to Stay Near the Ohio State Parks
Our property is surrounded on three sides by Hocking Hills State Park. It’s easy to explore all the outdoor adventure this Ohio state park has to offer when you stay at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls! We offer a variety of lodging options just a stone’s throw away from this exciting destination including cabins, Pacific-style yurts, cottages, geodomes, and Hocking Hills lodges. We also offer an on-site spa and restaurant, which are the perfect places to relax after a day spent outdoors.
