“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
– John Muir
As we head into November and the air starts to get colder, now is the perfect time to finish up your nature excursions for the year before the snow settles in! When I was little my mother always took me and my siblings to different nature spots around Ohio to do some light to moderate hiking. While I was little I used to get annoyed at how much time we spent outdoors but as I have gotten older, I have a better sense of appreciation for what my mother did for me and my siblings. Having been to multiple spots around Ohio, I feel I have the proper knowledge and exposure to make recommendations for you all!
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
-
Located near Richfield and Brecksville, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only national park located in the state of Ohio. It spans 33,000 acres of trees and farmland that follow the course of the winding Cuyahoga River. There are over 125 different trails to hike throughout this beautiful National Park. Most of these trails are for light to moderate hikers but there are a few for the more adventurous hikers out there! Along with these beautiful trails, there are numerous waterfalls varying in size that can be found throughout some of the trails.
- Hocking Hills State Park
-
Located about 45 minutes west of Athens, Hocking Hills State Park is known for their several different caves, including “Old Man’s Cave,” as well as numerous trails and waterfalls. Throughout the State Park, there are 7 different trails that you can hike on, which is over 25 miles of walking total! While this is a state park there are also cabins and campsites located in the state park that you can rent and stay at! Some other activities found here include rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking! These trails are open year round but the best times to go are in the summer and the fall!
- Mohican state park
-
Located about a half-hour southwest of Mansfield, Mohican State Park has numerous outdoor activities and a 40-mile river that runs right through the State Park! There are 13 miles of trails but, there are multiple other forests and parks that are connected to Mohican State Park. Including the trails that are connected to these other state parks, there are over 100 miles of trails to explore and hike! Similarly to Hocking Hills, you are able to camp here as well as enjoy other activities such as kayaking, canoeing, and fishing! The most interesting thing about this State Park is that Mohican has a 120-foot-long cable bridge that you can walk on that can be accessed through one of the trails!
While there are many other trails and State Parks to explore throughout Ohio, these are the top 3 that I would recommend checking out before the crazy winter weather hits Ohio! If you are looking for more State Parks to explore, follow this link and choose the county you are interested in and it will tell you all of the State Parks located in that county!
