A Nature Lovers Definitive Guide To Ohio’s Natural Beauty – Waterfalls, Beaches, Hikes And More!

Tucked away in the hills of Cincinnati, you'll find a city park that's absolutely sublime. The aptly-named Eden Park is located just minutes from downtown, but somehow feels like an entire world unto itself. Within the park, you’ll find a conservatory, art museum, and several outdoor gardens, one of which comes alive each spring with blooming Magnolias and cherry blossom trees. Eden Park is a shining example of Ohio's natural beauty.

For a picture-perfect beach day (yes, right here in Ohio!), Nickel Plate Beach is one of the best Lake Erie beaches. Nickel Plate Beach's 12-acre strip makes it one of the largest Lake Erie beaches in Greater Cleveland, and it's the perfect place to spend a day on the water. From its miraculously sandy shores to its spellbinding lighthouse views, you won't soon forget a visit to this Huron landmark.

The largest state park in Ohio, Salt Fork State Park is 17,229 acres that showcases Ohio's natural beauty. Often called the crown jewel of Ohio’s state parks, at the heart of Salt Fork you'll find what is perhaps the most jaw dropping lake in Ohio. Salt Fork Lake is a beautiful body of water that's perfect for a variety of outdoor recreation, and is most notable for being one of the largest inland beaches in the state, spanning 2,500 feet.

South Bass Island, often called the Secret Midwest Playground, is home to the absolutely adorable little town of Put-In-Bay. While there are endless opportunities for shopping and dining in the town, the real attraction here is the coast. Whether you choose to spend your day on aboard a boat, or opt to relax on the sandy shores, you'll spend your time on this enchanting island reveling in the splendor that is Lake Erie.

Some hiking trails can make you feel a million miles away from it all; the Ledges Trail is one such trail. Located within the Virginia Kendall Unit of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you'll find this gorgeous trail, where, more than 300 million years ago, it was actually covered by an ancient sea. Melting glaciers helped to form what are now captivating ledges you can hike through. It’s easily one of the most scenic trails in Ohio; a place to really bask in the state's natural beauty.

Our pick for the most beautiful river in Ohio is an unassuming little gem that offers some of the very best water recreation in the state. The Little Miami River is a beautiful 111-mile river, which stretches across several counties in the southwest portion of the state. The canoeing and kayaking on the Little Miami is unparalleled, but perhaps the best way to enjoy this beautiful river is renting a tube and floating your way past some of the most scenic areas of the state.

While Ohio isn’t really known for its mountains, The Buckeye State is full of some of the most breathtaking hilltops and peaks you’ll ever see. And in fact, Ohio is part of the acclaimed Appalachian Mountains, offering some seriously spectacular views of the foothills and surrounding scenery. One of the best ways to take in the mountain views is via the Appalachian Byway, a 105-mile drive that takes you through some of the best scenery our state has to offer. During the autumn, the fall foliage in the Appalachian Mountain region will leave you spellbound.

The most unique garden in Ohio is one of the state's most beautiful hidden gems. Wegerzyn Gardens is beloved garden in Dayton that includes rose, federal, English, and Victorian gardens. It is truly enchanting; a natural oasis just minutes from a major city center.

Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio, features seven hiking areas, as well as mountain biking trails and a plethora of other amusements and amenities. It's perhaps best-known, however, for its sprawling cave system. Old Man's Cave is most popular, and can be explored via the eponymous six-mile hike. Along the way, hikers will get an up-close look at the magnificent gorge, which cuts through the entire 150-foot thickness of the Blackhand sandstone. Carved by the creek, the gorge serves as an avenue for visitors to peer into the earth's subsurface, for a truly wondrous experience.

Within Hayden Falls Park in Dublin, you'll find an emerald-hued waterfall that is so beautiful, it doesn't look real. This 35-foot waterfall is a vision -- especially during the spring and summer months, when an abundance of rain creates grand, cascading falls.

Located in beautiful Hocking Hills State Park, the John Glenn Astronomy Park gives Ohio explorers the perfect place to stargaze. This resplendent gem opened just a few years ago, and has quickly become a place for dreamers, wanderers, romantics — and, of course, astronomers. With little in the way of light pollution, this astronomy park provides extraordinary views of the Milky Way Galaxy, nearby planets, and other natural wonders. This is one park you’re definitely going to want to add to your Ohio bucket list.