11 Lesser-Known State Parks Around Cleveland That Will Absolutely Amaze You
There’s no shortage of beautiful parks and places in Ohio, of course, but we’re especially partial to our little corner of the state. It seems our region has a little bit of everything — great food, gorgeous architecture, and friendly faces are all defining features of our community. You may have also noticed that public parks make up the backbone of this dreamy region. In fact, there are 24 state parks within 100 miles of Cleveland, but many are destinations you’ve likely never even heard of! That’s something we’re going to remedy today, with the following list of 11 state parks near Cleveland we think everyone ought to visit. We’ve organized this list by distance, but even the parks located farther away from Cleveland are worth the short journey to experience them.
1. Tinker's Creek State Park (10303 Aurora Hudson Rd., Streetsboro)
Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 Aurora Hudson Rd, Streetsboro, OH 44241, USA
Tinker's Creek State Park is perhaps the closest state park to Cleveland. At a distance of a mere 30 miles, one could easily reach this park in 30 to 40 minutes. This lively swamp and marshland attract thousands of waterfowl during spring and fall migrations, and humans frequent its lovely acreage all year round.
2. Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park (State Route 282, Nelson Township)
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park can be found about 44 miles from Cleveland and it is famous for its rock formations. The nooks and crannies of these cliffs provide excellent places for wildflowers, trees, and ferns to take root, making this park an indescribable treat in the spring. Its 167 acres have always been popular with hikers and vacationers, and it was designated a State Park in 1949.
3. Wingfoot Lake State Park (993 Goodyear Park Blvd., Mogadore)
Wingfoot Lake State Park, 993 Goodyear Park Blvd, Mogadore, OH 44260, USA
Wingfoot Lake State Park is located a mere 49 miles from Cleveland, and it differs quite significantly from any other park on this list. Wingfoot Lake can be found in Mogadore, just minutes from Akron. This serene little slice of paradise was once enjoyed exclusively by employees of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. This plot of land came with a water supply that was crucial to the manufacturing of their blimps. Though the site is now open to the public as a park and has been since 2009, you may still see a blimp or two soaring above the park's rolling terrain.
4. Mosquito Lake State Park (1439 State Route 305, Cortland)
Mosquito Lake State Park, 1439 Wilson Sharpsville Rd, Cortland, OH 44410, USA
Never heard of Mosquito Lake? You're not alone, but this park is fairly close at only 58 miles from Cleveland. Mosquito Lake is one of the largest lakes in Ohio, and its surface stretches for an astonishing 7,000 acres. It makes the surrounding 2,483 acres of parkland appear petite, but its gorgeous, mature woodlands continue to draw in visitors. The lovely shores of this lake were once part of a now-nonexistent ancient forest that once covered Ohio, and its wooded portions continue to delight visitors with annual wildflowers, vernal pools, summer shade, and autumn hues.
5. Geneva State Park (4499 Padanarum Rd., Geneva)
Geneva State Park Campground, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
The 698-acre Geneva State Park is one of the loveliest portions of Lake Erie, and it attracts many vacationers each year. Its lakefront property includes both beaches and freshwater marshes, and its harbors created a refuge that allows small boats to escape sudden storms on our charismatic lake. At just under 59 miles from Cleveland, Geneva State Park is easily reachable in an hour and is a great day trip destination.
6. Lake Milton State Park (16801 Mahoning Ave., Lake Milton)
Lake Milton State Park, 16801 Mahoning Ave, Lake Milton, OH 44429, USA
Some of the loveliest recreational waters in the state are found at Lake Milton State Park, located less than 60 miles from Cleveland. This lovely piece of the Appalachian Plateau includes bogs, forests, streams, and scenic rolling hills. This area once hosted species like elk, wolves, and even mountain lions, but today you’ll more likely encounter northern watersnakes, muskrats, and foxes.
7. East Harbor State Park (1169 N. Buck Rd., Lakeside-Marblehead)
East Harbor State Park, 1169 N Buck Rd, Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440, USA
East Harbor State Park is a bit of a trip, as it sits 76 miles from Cleveland, but it's a trek that's well worth it. Consisting of 1,831 acres of land along the shores of Lake Erie is a State Park that's overflowing with lakeside splendor. Wetlands, beaches, and dunes all coexist on this peninsula, a plot of land that was once the mouth of the Portage River.
8. Catawba Island State Park (4049 E. Moores Dock Rd., Port Clinton)
Catawba Island State Park, 4049 E Moores Dock Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452, USA
This pretty park is a fishing enthusiasts' dream. Four launch ramps and a pier provide access to familiar fish like walleye, channel catfish, and yellow perch, and shady picnic areas provide relief from the intense Lake Erie sun. This area was once occupied by members of the Ottawa and Huron tribes, a fact which is evidenced by 500-year-old pictographs found on the island. Catawba Island State Park is located 78 miles west of Cleveland - less than a 1.5-hour drive from the heart of the city.
9. Marblehead Lighthouse State Park (110 Lighthouse Dr., Marblehead)
Are you ready to visit a State Park that comes with a charming New England-style flair?! Marblehead Lighthouse is situated on a rocky headland on Lake Erie, and it has a reputation for being the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on any Great Lake. It traces its history back to 1822, but it's only been under the care of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources since 1972. The lighthouse operated on kerosene until 1923 when the system was updated to include an electric light. The beacon was fully automated in 1958, and it has been maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard ever since. It's plain to see why this lighthouse and the surrounding grounds is one of the most-photographed landmarks on Lake Erie. Marblehead Lighthouse State Park is located 80 miles west of Cleveland and is mere minutes away from Catawba Island State Park, so you could easily visit both of these stunning spots in one day.
10. Pymatuning State Park (6100 Pymatuning Lake Rd., Andover)
At a distance of 85 miles from Cleveland, this park is one of the furthest away on this list. Is it worth it? Of course! This gorgeous park is something of a vacation, as it's famous for its camping opportunities. The park consists of an old swamp forest whose base was shaped by retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age. This park draws its name from a Native American word that means "the crooked-mouthed man’s dwelling place." Could this be an allusion to the early trappers and lumbermen that first settled this region?
11. Malabar Farm State Park (4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas)
At 86 miles from Cleveland, Malabar Farm is as far from home as Mohican State Park... but it is much more of a hidden gem. This farm was once home to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield, though today it is something of a museum to his legacy. His 32-room home on the site is open to the public, as is a reconstruction of his former barn. The rolling countryside here has been operated as a State Park since 1976, but it remains unlike any other with its effortless aura of nostalgia.
Northeast Ohio is home to some incredible people and more than a few gorgeous landscapes. Which of these amazing state parks near Cleveland is your favorite to visit? Sound off in the comments below!
Address: Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 Aurora Hudson Rd, Streetsboro, OH 44241, USA
Address: Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA
Address: Geneva State Park Campground, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
Address: Mosquito Lake State Park, 1439 Wilson Sharpsville Rd, Cortland, OH 44410, USA
Address: Lake Milton State Park, 16801 Mahoning Ave, Lake Milton, OH 44429, USA
Address: Catawba Island State Park, 4049 E Moores Dock Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452, USA
Address: 110 Lighthouse Dr, Marblehead, OH 43440, USA
Address: 6100 Pymatuning Lake Rd, Andover, OH 44003, USA
Address: Wingfoot Lake State Park, 993 Goodyear Park Blvd, Mogadore, OH 44260, USA
Address: East Harbor State Park, 1169 N Buck Rd, Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
State parks to visit near Cleveland
February 16, 2022
Sarah M.
What’s the most beautiful park near Cleveland?
Did you know there was a national park in Ohio? The Buckeye State only has one national park, but it’s a stunner — and it’s right in our backyard! We’re talking about Cuyahoga Valley National Park, of course. The park lies along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, and it’s a wildly popular destination. Cuyahoga Valley was originally designated as a National Recreation Area in 1974, only to be redesignated as a national park 26 years later in 2000. Home to incredible hiking trails, wondrous waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife, this is truly one of the most beautiful places in Ohio, and it’s just a stone’s throw from us here in Cleveland!
What are some other incredible hikes near Cleveland?
We mentioned the amazing hiking at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but not many realize that there’s a nighttime hike at this beautiful place. With over 32,500 acres of space, Cuyahoga Valley National park is a magnificent place to explore, and while some areas do close at dusk, including Brandywine Falls, Kendall Lake, and the Ledges, there are definitely places that remain open for nighttime adventures! Beaver Marsh is one of many places in the park that grows vibrant after sunset, becoming a haven for birdwatchers and nocturnal critters alike. A birdwatching paradise, among the native species of interest here, you may encounter seven species of bat, three species of moles, and a seemingly endless array of birds. As night falls, you also have a possibility of running into critters like coyotes and skunks, so make sure to stay aware of your surroundings and make an effort to keep distance between yourself and wildlife. It’s definitely something to consider when planning your hiking adventures in northern Ohio!
Address: 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843, USA
Address: Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 Aurora Hudson Rd, Streetsboro, OH 44241, USA
Address: Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA
Address: Geneva State Park Campground, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
Address: Mosquito Lake State Park, 1439 Wilson Sharpsville Rd, Cortland, OH 44410, USA
Address: Lake Milton State Park, 16801 Mahoning Ave, Lake Milton, OH 44429, USA
Address: Catawba Island State Park, 4049 E Moores Dock Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452, USA
Address: 110 Lighthouse Dr, Marblehead, OH 43440, USA
Address: 6100 Pymatuning Lake Rd, Andover, OH 44003, USA
Address: Wingfoot Lake State Park, 993 Goodyear Park Blvd, Mogadore, OH 44260, USA
Address: East Harbor State Park, 1169 N Buck Rd, Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440, USA
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Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is - she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
