These 15 Incredible Places In Ohio Will Bring Out The Explorer In You

No matter the season, there is always something exciting to see! So now is the perfect time to get out and explore your beautiful state. Exploring outdoor adventures in Ohio is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. From hidden waterfalls, to abandoned places nature is reclaiming, Ohio is FULL of unexpected adventures—all you have to do is take them. The following are just a few of the many places scattered throughout Ohio that are sure to bring out the explorer in you.

April Dray/Only In Your State

April Dray/Only In Your State

Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio's most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves and hiking trails abound. The Old Man's Cave hiking trails feature approximately 5.1 miles of sandstone gorges, breathtaking waterfalls, eerie caves and unique rock formations that will make you feel like you're living in a "Lord of the Rings" film. Check out their visitor’s website for more great information.

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The 186-foot steam-engine yacht is more than a century old and was first launched in April of 1902, as The Celt, by a rich railroad executive. Since then, the ship has been renamed numerous times and owned by multiple individuals throughout its lifetime. While it actually came to Ohio from Kentucky, it currently sits in a small creek off of the Ohio River, about 25 miles from Cincinnati, according to Roadtrippers.com. Kentucky Living delves deep into this mysterious spot. This is definitely one of the most thrilling outside adventures in Ohio!

April Dray/Only In Your State

April Dray/Only In Your State

Mounds abound at Mound City Group in Ross County where you will find the largest collection of Hopewell culture burial mounds in eastern North America, as well as a museum that showcases the Hopewell culture. Visit the National Park website of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, and learn more about this fascinating sacred space.

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For the advanced hiker who can backpack through the woods overnight, Zaleski State Forest trails are a must-do. Along the way, the trails feature vacant farms, abandoned mines, beautiful views, Indian ceremonial grounds and an old mining town. The North Loop is approximately 18.4 miles, and the South Loop is approximately 11.7 miles. One of the most adventurous things to do in Ohio, Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trail is one adventure you don’t want to miss!

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"America's Most Colorful Caverns" can be found in West Liberty, Ohio.The caverns were formed thousands of years ago when an underground river cut through ancient limestone and created vast rooms and passageways. These passageways are now filled with crystal stalactites, stalagmites and many other formations.Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world's largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Crystal King (pictured) is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old. Visiting the Ohio Caverns is one of the most unique things to do in Ohio.

Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/Flickr

Tom Gill/Flickr

Ohio's very own national park features stunning waterfalls (pictured: Brandywine Falls), incredible views and rugged ledges to explore. This national park is filled with stunning outdoor adventures in Ohio that you will want to put on your bucket list!

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This partially excavated Fort Ancient culture village in Dayton features several restored houses on their original foundations. The massive cedar pole at the center of the village, serving as a sundial, gives the village its name. Visitors can also explore an onsite museum. Visiting Sunwatch Village and Archaeological Park is a wonderful way to learn more about the cultural history of this area.

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Rebecca Olarte/Flickr

If exploring the long forgotten and abandoned is your thing, then you'll want to check out Chippewa Lake. Remains of this abandoned amusement park, which closed in the late 70s, surprisingly still stand. But you’ll have to do it soon; the area was just boughtand planned to be repurposed and opened again for the public to enjoy!

E Photos/Flickr

E Photos/Flickr

Nelson Kennedy Ledges provides a similar (and lesser known) adventurous experience to the well known Old Man's Cave hiking trail at Hocking Hills State Park. Portage County is home to this 160-acre park, which features rugged cliffs, unique hiking trails (complete with a "Dwarf's Pass," pictured above) and diverse plant life. This spot, especially the rock formations, is a must see.

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April Dray/Only In Your State

Also known as the Loveland Castle, this lovely little medieval structure was built by hand--brick by brick--by one man, Sir Harry Andrews. Today it is open for the public to explore for $5 a person, and is operated by modern day knights. Find out their hours of operation, historical information, and more on their website.

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Close to Toledo you'll find what's considered to be Ohio's rarest ecosystem (and one of the world's rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony. The Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is located in Swanton and operated by Metroparks of the Toledo Area. Make sure to read more about their hours of operation and trail maps on their website.

Sonja/Flickr

Sonja/Flickr

Located in Bellevue, Ohio is another geographical wonder that was first discovered in 1872. When you venture to these caverns you will travel through "The Earth Crack" and view the Ole' Mist'ry River. Their tour rates and information about the area are all available to see on Seneca Caverns Ohio website.

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Mike/Flickr

The abandoned coal mining town of Moonville in southeastern Ohio (Vinton County) was founded in 1856, when the Marietta and Cincinnati railroad ran through the area's woods. One structure of the town that remains today is the Moonville Tunnel; a haunted tunnel where legend has it the ghost of a man who was killed instantly by a train passing through the tunnel wanders along the track bed near the old tunnel at night. Moonville Tunnel’s history is a fascinating one, filled with a mysterious past.

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Christopher Sessums/Flickr

In Belmont County within the Dysart Woods, you will find some of Ohio's oldest and largest trees. Though the woods stretches for 455 acres, only about 50 of the 140 ft. tall, 4 ft. in diameter and 300-400 year-old trees are still there. The Dysart Woods Park is largest old growth remnant in Southeastern Ohio.

Mark Spearman/Flickr

Tabitha Kaylee Hawk/Flickr

Within the Hocking Hills State Park area in Logan is the beloved Rock House, where visitors can freely explore this cave with a 25 ft. high ceiling and window-like openings. This is the only true cave in the entire park, and it is an unbelievably awesome place to explore and discover.

Have you explored any of these outdoor adventures in Ohio? Which one is your favorite? What (and where) is your favorite place to explore in Ohio? Did it make the list? Share your experiences and photos with us in the comments below!

If you’re looking for more ways to explore the great outdoors in Ohio, check out why we think 10 Of The Greatest Hiking Trails On Earth Are Right Here In Ohio.