With Woodland Trails, Waterfalls, And Earthworks, Rentschler Forest In Ohio Is Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale
By Sarah McCosham|Published September 22, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Any reader will tell you that there’s nothing better than getting lost in the pages of a storybook. Just like any hiker will tell you that there’s nothing better than getting lost in the comforting canopy of the forest. And when you combine these two things: fairy tales and the natural world? It’s one of the most marvelous experiences you can have! In Hamilton, Ohio, there is a park that offers one such experience: Rentschler Forest MetroPark, a wondrous expanse that’s straight out of a fairy tale.
Nestled in beautiful Butler County, a fairy tale forest awaits to sweep you off your feet.
The park has over 400 acres that include acres of woodland, about a half-mile frontage along the Great Miami River, remnants of the old Miami-Erie Canal, a prehistoric Indian earthwork, a reconstructed wetland, and ample opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities.
Four trails traverse the park, each clocking in at under a mile long and offering varied scenery -- including some magnificent old-growth trees! Because the trails are short, this is a perfect place for families, novice hikers, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, or simply those wishing to get lost in the forest for a bit.
We're partial to this last option; there's no better place to "lose yourself" than this Ohio forest. Remnants from the past appear like clues, offering bread crumbs into another time and place. Is this the remains of a former waterway? Or a portal into a magical realm?
Similarly, Rentschler Forest is home to a 2,000-year-old earthwork believed to have been constructed by the Adena or Hopewell people. As you traipse around this ancient mound, your imagination will definitely run wild -- in the best possible way!
To top it all off, a charming waterfall located at the park offers an amazing place to sit with your thoughts and dreams. You'll find this beauty on the aptly named Cascades Trail, an easy, 0.8-mile loop.
Rentschler Forest MetroPark is open daily; a Butler County Motor Vehicle Permit is required. Permits are free for Butler County residents; non-residents can obtain a permit for $8/daily or $15/annually.
Looking for more fairy tale places in Ohio? From castles to secret gardens, there are lots of enchanting places to explore in the Buckeye State!
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