There's nothing like some quiet time in Ohio nature when you need to relax and recharge.
Few people know that Ohio's very first state park is also one of the most scenic. Shawnee State Park in Portsmouth features sweeping views of the Appalachian foothills and is home to a rich history. Especially stunning in the autumn months, this underrated state park is worthy of your Ohio bucket list.
Nestled near the banks of the Ohio River you'll find Ohio's very first state park, Shawnee State Park.
It's surrounded by the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest in Portsmouth, Ohio.
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Shawnee State Park was first established in 1922 as Theodore Roosevelt State Game Preserve before it became a state park during the Great Depression. Pictured is Roosevelt Lake.
To view a map of the trails in a separate tab or window, click here.
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If you really want to make an adventure out of your visit to this state park, consider staying overnight. The cabins are perfect for a family weekend getaway.
Hocking County is a stunning region in Ohio, primarily known for Hocking Hills State Park. While this state park in Ohio is gorgeous, it's not the only one in Hocking County that belongs on your bucket list. Heck, it's not even the only state park in Logan, Ohio! Today, we're going to take a virtual visit to Lake Logan State Park, an underrated attraction in one of Ohio's most memorable small towns.
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With just over 7,000 residents across a five square mile space, Logan is a community that will instantly feel airy and open. The population density is about 1,523 people per square mile — for contrast, Cleveland has a density of 4,793 people per square mile. Compared to even metropolitan suburbs in Ohio, you'll find that live just moves at a slower pace in Logan.
This area, believe it or not, is something of a musical haven. Logan is home to one of the only remaining washboard manufacturing companies in the nation, and their annual Washboard Music Festival in June is a weird and wonderful nod to this strange claim to fame. In July, the Diamond Music Festival takes place on the banks of Lake Logan.
Interestingly, Lake Logan is a man-made feature in a nature-rich region. By damming a tributary of the Hocking River in 1955, Lake Logan was intentionally crafted for recreational enjoyment. While it was originally known as Hocking Lake, it has since been renamed to avoid confusion with the more-famous state park in town.
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Today, the 400-acre lake is the crown jewel of Lake Logan State Park. People flock here for fishing, boating, and swimming, but there's a great deal of nature-based activities that make the park special. A stretch of the Buckeye Trail runs through the park, and the one-mile Pine Vista Hiking Trail circles a hilltop and provides a stunning vantage point for visitors.
Birding is also a popular activity at the lake. As with any body of water, visitors can expect to encounter waterfowl like ducks, geese, and heron. With gorgeous wooded trails, a wide variety of birds — from songbirds to raptors — can be seen. As the sun bleeds into the horizon, owls are also a common sight here.
While swimming is one of the best summertime activities in the park, there's something special here throughout each and every season. As fall arrives, gorgeous and rich foliage erupts around the lake, and its reflection in the rippling water is like a nature-made watercolor painting. Once snow blankets the region, sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing are popular features in the park. And, of course, come spring, watching flowers bloom around the lake is a treat like no other.
John Hudson Photography/Moment via Getty Images
No matter which season you visit in, you're going to love Lake Logan State Park. It's a gorgeous place to picnic and reflect, especially when autumn leaves are painting the local landscape in warm shades of rust. Plus, its proximity to Hocking Hills State Park makes it an excellent place to unplug and take it easy after knocking out some more demanding hikes.
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This state park in Ohio is absolutely breathtaking, and it's open to visitors all year-round. With 318 acres of land and 400 acres of water to explore, its landscape is easily memorable, and it's a brilliant escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life.
Want to make the most of your visit to Logan, Ohio? Be sure to check out our list of cozy attractions in the area. From welcoming cabins to wine nights, you'll love settling into this pretty region in The Buckeye State.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park truly is Ohio's proudest crown jewel. Hilly and lush, full of rivers and valleys, it's a pristine place that takes on divine beauty during the height of fall foliage. It's the kind of immersive beauty that's best enjoyed slowly and deliberately, and the National Scenic Park Ride aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is the perfect way to do just that. Each fall, this Ohio train takes lucky adventurers on the journey of a lifetime, through some of the most stunning fall foliage you've ever seen.
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One of Ohio's best-kept secrets, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a place of immense natural beauty and splendor.
This 33,000-acre expanse in the Cuyahoga River Valley is home to gorgeous wetlands, lush forests, numerous waterfalls, gorges, and breathtaking scenery and overlooks.
The park is arguably at its most dazzling in the fall, when its abundant sugar maples and oak trees paint the trails in bright red and orange hues, rewarding hikers with a dazzling display of color.
If you're up for a more intense trek, the Brandywine Gorge Trail is one of the best places to soak up the park's natural beauty; hike up to the 65-foot Brandywine Falls to see panoramic views of fall foliage in all directions.
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But the hiking and biking trails aren't the only way to enjoy the seasonal splendor of Ohio's national park darling; if you want a more leisurely fall foliage experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a scenic ride that will render you speechless!
Guests can opt to board at the railroad's two train depots: Rockside Station, located at 7900 Old Rockside Road in Independence and at Akron Northside Station, located at 27 Ridge St. in Akron. Sit back and relax as the train weaves through the Cuyahoga Valley and races along with the rushing Cuyahoga River.
The route provides passengers the opportunity to possibly spot eagles, deer, beavers, and herons in their natural habitat.
But the highlight of the ride is, hands down, the fall foliage. The kaleidoscope of fall colors in this region of Ohio easily rivals Vermont or Maine. But it's even better, because this sublime seasonal experience is one you can have right here in the beautiful Buckeye State!
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Have you taken a ride aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in past seasons? While fall is a magical time of year in Ohio, this train ride takes the entire experience to new heights. Visit the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad website for more information on the National Parks excursion... rides book up fast, especially during peak color.
Where & When To See Fall Foliage In Ohio
Where can you find the best fall foliage in Ohio? When is the fall foliage expected to peak? There are so many amazing places you can go to witness fall foliage in Ohio at its amazing peak. Did you know that there are more than 75 utterly incredible state parks in Ohio alone? Yep - and every single one makes for an amazing autumn outing. Fall colors in Ohio typically begin to show in mid-to-late September, and by the end of October, they'll have peaked - so plan accordingly! It's a fleeting time, but goodness, is it ever magical.
Know Before You Go:
The National Park scenic ride ranges from $18 to $39 per person; the ride goes year-round, but your best bet for autumn amazingness is to come out in late September until late October. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is already an absolutely jaw-dropping place - just wait 'til you see it in the fall. Need an amazing place to stay nearby while you explore?
