Ohio parks offer many opportunities to participate in a variety of activities. Land and water adventures give visitors plenty to do in the Buckeye State. Whether it be a national park, state park, or local park visit, there are many chances for outdoor fun. However you want to spend your time outside, Ohio probably has it available at one of its parks. In Ohio parks, there is plenty to see and experience. Use this site and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) site here for more information.
Camping
Many parks, especially the state parks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio’s only national park), provide camping options. Some enjoy “roughing it” and tent camping when available. Others upgrade to RVs, cabins at the park, and even hotel rooms. Nearly every Ohio state park has at least several dozen if not several hundred camping sites. Before taking a trip, be sure to plan ahead and be sure the park you want to stay at has the availability you want.
Several of Ohio’s state parks have lodges and conference centers that can be used for a variety of reasons. These provide lodging, but have rooms that can be rented for a variety of reasons. However, they can also give a chance for team building, family reunions, and weddings.
Be sure to prepare well if you decide to camp at one of Ohio’s parks. There are plenty of essentials to pack, no matter what camping looks like for you. Being out in the great outdoors is enjoyable if you plan ahead. Do not be left wishing you had packed that one extra item.
Land Activities
Land activities add adventure to any park patron’s visit. Hiking and biking are two of the most common. In addition, many parks include trail running, sightseeing, zip lining, archery, golfing, and geocaching. Many of Ohio’s state parks now have disc golf courses for visitors to use. Sand volleyball courts, playground equipment, dog parks, and walking paths are available at many parks. Whatever you might be looking to do outside, Ohio parks have it available.
In addition, plenty of wildlife call Ohio parks home. Deer, beaver, rabbit, raccoon, and a variety of birds live in park land. The thousands of acres set aside in Ohio’s parks make for perfect homes for these species. If you plan to look for wildlife, take a camera and some binoculars. Also, dress for the weather and terrain. Dressing in quieter clothes gives you a better chance to catch sight of some of these animals. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, and in the best case they would be waterproof. Ohio’s weather is notoriously varied, sometimes in the same day, so planning ahead is a good idea.
Water Activities
Ohio parks provide plenty of water activities in addition to the above land activities. Kayaking, canoeing, boating, swimming, and water skiing take place at many parks around the Buckeye State. Obviously, prepare to get wet! These activities are very common in the summer months.
It is a good idea to investigate the local water levels and quality before you make a trip to a park for water activities. Water levels vary throughout the year at Ohio’s lakes, and runoff into the lakes has created some quality problems (see harmful algal blooms).
Plan ahead if you want to do white-water rafting or need to rent materials. Many recreation departments supply canoes, kayaks, life vests, and the like for a rent charge. In addition, these departments provide places to visit and can give directions. Just remember to plan ahead for your water adventure!
It would be a good idea to get ahold of a park map either before or as soon as you arrive at your destination. These are invaluable when deciding what to do at a particular park. It will also help you plan out exactly what places you want to see while visiting.
Visiting Ohio Parks
In addition to the normal activities people expect from parks, Ohio parks provide options for parties, reunions, and entertainment. Being in the great outdoors is a great experience. Visiting these parks makes for excellent fun and entertainment even more so because most Ohio parks have free admission. Who can complain about free?
In addition, visiting Ohio parks benefit the health of those that pass through the entrances. Being outside in general benefits health. Fresh air, vitamin D from the sun, and exercise give guests plenty of reasons to visit a park. Many of Ohio’s parks give exercise opportunities, as well. These include walking/running paths, lakes to swim in, and courts to play sports. Being in Ohio’s parks benefits visitors in many ways!
A last benefit to visiting Ohio’s parks involves the many cities and communities park-goers get to see. While these are not part of the parks, the nearby cities are worth viewing. Small towns, villages, and communities around our state’s parks offer more endeavors while visiting the area. Places like Cambridge, Dublin, Marblehead, Bainbridge, and Logan are all worth checking out when visiting nearby Ohio parks.
Finding Ohio Parks
The Buckeye State has many fine parks. A state park map can be found here, provided by the ODNR. These 75 parks provide visitors with plenty of options and introduce them to all parts of the state.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park gives Ohio its one national park. The rivers, trails, and waterfalls create a picturesque setting. This is especially interesting because Cuyahoga Valley is so near Cleveland and Akron in northeast Ohio. Visiting Ohio’s one national park will not disappoint.
Many community and local parks provide young children and families places to play and have fun. These can be found in every community and neighborhood in the state. Finding and visiting a park in Ohio is a wonderful idea!
More than likely, if you live in Ohio, there is an Ohio park somewhere nearby you. Good memories can be made at Ohio’s local parks, state parks, and its one national park. Have you had a good experience at an Ohio park? Tell us about it in the comments below.