Beaches and sand dunes? Dramatic natural caves and hidden waterfalls? Winding rivers fringed by lush forests? Ohio’s 75 state parks check all the boxes for outdoor adventures. Most Ohio State Park campgrounds stay open through all four seasons, and the ever-changing landscapes will tempt you back time after time. Come in summer to enjoy boating and kayaking on the lakes and rivers, try snowshoeing along frozen hiking trails in winter, or go backpacking in fall, when the state forests are ablaze with colorful foliage. Most Ohio state park campgrounds stay open year-round, but facilities may be limited in winter.
Great Lakes Plains
Beachside camping, island retreats, and one of the US' most important birding trails stretch along the southwest coast of Lake Erie in northern Ohio. Campers can cruise out to camp on the offshore islands—Kelleys Island State Park and the three Bass Island State Parks are popular choices. Birding hotspots such as Maumee Bay State Park, Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, and East Harbor State Park fill up with birders during the spring warbler migration.
Till Plains
Ohio's agricultural heartland is the start of America’s corn belt, but the vast farmlands are also dotted with state parks, most of them within day-trip distance of Columbus. The dramatic limestone gorges of John Bryan State Park and dense woodlands of Delaware State Park are a paradise for hikers, while Indian Lake State Park and Alum Creek State Park have lakeside campgrounds with easy access to the beaches and boat ramps. Just to the north, Loudonville is Ohio’s canoeing capital, and the gateway to the Mohican River, which flows through Mohican State Park.
Appalachian Plateau
In western Ohio, the wooded foothills of the Appalachian plateau harbor some of the state’s most impressive hiking trails, as well as its only national park. The Hocking Hills State Park is the headline act, where you can go ziplining through the forest, hike through caves, and camp by Old Man’s Cave. Nearby, Lake Hope State Park offers rustic campsites at the heart of the Zaleski State Forest, while to the north, Salt Fork State Park is Ohio’s largest state park and a leaf-peeper’s paradise.
Bluegrass Region
Ohio's southernmost region stretches from Cincinnati in the west along the banks of the Ohio River. The wooded wilderness of Shawnee State Park is the highlight, with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, alongside a golf course and fully equipped campgrounds. Nearby, East Fork State Park is another favorite for campers, with more than 400 campsites, some with electric or full hookups.
State Park campgrounds in Ohio.
Camp by lakeside beaches, ancient caves, and forested valleys in Ohio's 75 state parks.
Beaches and sand dunes? Dramatic natural caves and hidden waterfalls? Winding rivers fringed by lush forests? Ohio’s 75 state parks check all the boxes for outdoor adventures. Most Ohio State Park campgrounds stay open through all four seasons, and the ever-changing landscapes will tempt you back time after time. Come in summer to enjoy boating and kayaking on the lakes and
Read more...Beaches and sand dunes? Dramatic natural caves and hidden waterfalls? Winding rivers fringed by lush forests? Ohio’s 75 state parks check all the boxes for outdoor adventures. Most Ohio State Park campgrounds stay open through all four seasons, and the ever-changing landscapes will tempt you back time after time. Come in summer to enjoy boating and kayaking on the lakes and rivers, try snowshoeing along frozen hiking trails in winter, or go backpacking in fall, when the state forests are ablaze with colorful foliage. Most Ohio state park campgrounds stay open year-round, but facilities may be limited in winter.
Great Lakes Plains
Beachside camping, island retreats, and one of the US' most important birding trails stretch along the southwest coast of Lake Erie in northern Ohio. Campers can cruise out to camp on the offshore islands—Kelleys Island State Park and the three Bass Island State Parks are popular choices. Birding hotspots such as Maumee Bay State Park, Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, and East Harbor State Park fill up with birders during the spring warbler migration.
Till Plains
Ohio's agricultural heartland is the start of America’s corn belt, but the vast farmlands are also dotted with state parks, most of them within day-trip distance of Columbus. The dramatic limestone gorges of John Bryan State Park and dense woodlands of Delaware State Park are a paradise for hikers, while Indian Lake State Park and Alum Creek State Park have lakeside campgrounds with easy access to the beaches and boat ramps. Just to the north, Loudonville is Ohio’s canoeing capital, and the gateway to the Mohican River, which flows through Mohican State Park.
Appalachian Plateau
In western Ohio, the wooded foothills of the Appalachian plateau harbor some of the state’s most impressive hiking trails, as well as its only national park. The Hocking Hills State Park is the headline act, where you can go ziplining through the forest, hike through caves, and camp by Old Man’s Cave. Nearby, Lake Hope State Park offers rustic campsites at the heart of the Zaleski State Forest, while to the north, Salt Fork State Park is Ohio’s largest state park and a leaf-peeper’s paradise.
Bluegrass Region
Ohio's southernmost region stretches from Cincinnati in the west along the banks of the Ohio River. The wooded wilderness of Shawnee State Park is the highlight, with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, alongside a golf course and fully equipped campgrounds. Nearby, East Fork State Park is another favorite for campers, with more than 400 campsites, some with electric or full hookups.