Ohio State Parks

Ohio has 75 state parks — the system emphasizes the natural diversity between the flat glaciated northwest and the rugged Allegheny Plateau of the southeast.

Hocking Hills State Park (Logan)
Ohio's most visited state park — the Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, and Conkle's Hollow gorge areas attract nearly 5 million visitors per year. The 6-mile Gorge Trail connecting Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls is the most beautiful woodland trail in Ohio. The park's ancient hemlock groves (under threat from woolly adelgid), the black sandstone formations, and the cascading waterfalls are extraordinary for the Midwest.

South Bass Island State Park
On Lake Erie's South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay) — the island is accessible by ferry from Catawba Point or Port Clinton. The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial (352 feet — the third-tallest obelisk in the US, commemorating the Battle of Lake Erie 1813) dominates the island. The park has camping and swimming above the island's limestone sea caves.

Kelleys Island State Park
On Kelleys Island in western Lake Erie — the Glacial Grooves (the largest recorded glacial grooves in the world — 400 feet long, 35 feet wide, 10 feet deep, carved by the Laurentide Ice Sheet) are a geological landmark. The island's quarry history and wine production (Kelleys Island Wine Company) add character.

Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park (Garrettsville)
In Portage County — spectacular ledge formations of Sharon Conglomerate sandstone with passages, caves, and slot canyons. Dwarf's Pass and the Gold Hunter's Cave are the signature features. The park is small but geologically remarkable.

Mohican State Park (Loudonville)
On the Mohican River in north-central Ohio — gorge scenery, the Clear Fork Gorge (one of Ohio's deepest gorges at 300 feet), a covered bridge, and excellent canoeing and kayaking. The Mohican State Forest adjacent has old-growth hemlock groves.