Winter in Ohio provides the perfect opportunity to get out and explore all our home state has to offer. And there’s no better way to embrace the season than by going on some winter hikes. All throughout the Buckeye State, there are opportunities to enjoy cold weather hiking in Ohio. There are so many options that you might not know where to start. Lucky for you, we scoured the state for the best winter hiking in Ohio.

1. Hueston Woods State Park (College Corner)
Hueston Woods, Israel Township, OH 45056, USA
Kyle Hartshorn/Flickr
Heuston Woods State Park typically hosts its First Day hike on January 1st. During the hike, you'll trek through one of the park's most popular trails, learning all about the history and native plants of the area along the way. Meet at the Nature Center. From there, the group will drive to the trailhead. For more info, check out the parks
2. Wingfoot Lake State Park (Mogadore)
Wingfoot Lake State Park, 993 Goodyear Park Blvd, Mogadore, OH 44260, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Wingfoot Lake State Park offers several great winter hikes, including a New Year's Eve night hike and a few First Day hikes.
3. Hocking Hills State Park (Logan)
Hocking Hills State Park Cabins, Benton Township, OH 43138, USA
Sam Howzit/Flickr
Journey through 6 miles of frozen waterfalls, eerie caves, and mesmerizing ice formations at Hocking Hills State Park (one of the most beautiful state parks in Ohio,) during its official Winter Hike, which typically takes place mid-January. The journey (usually) begins near the Visitor Center parking lot at Old Man's Cave on State Route 664. A long-held tradition, the park has been hosting seasonal hikes for more than 50 years.

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4. Malabar Farm State Park (Lucas)
Malabar Farm State Park, 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843, USA
Malabar Farm State Park/Facebook
Malabar Farms State Park's Winter Hike Series is perfect for a wintry adventure. Led by naturalists, the hike traverses northeast Ohio, from the icy shores of Lake Erie to diverse wetlands. The park’s Candlelight Holiday Tours are also among the best winter hikes in Ohio.
5. Mosquito Lake State Park (Cortland)
Mosquito Lake State Park Campground, Cortland, OH 44410, USA
Daniel Frost/Flickr
The Winter Hike Series at Mosquito Lake State Park is another great option for families looking to get out and enjoy some nature.
6. Mohican State Park (Loudonville)
Mohican State Forest, Hanover Township, OH 44864, USA
tde1973/Flickr
Mohican State Park hosts a Winter Hike Series, which kicks off in January. The park also hosts a Winter Bird Feeding, during which attendees will learn all about attracting birds during winter.

What do you think? Are these the best opportunities for winter hiking in Ohio? Do you enjoy winter hiking in Ohio? What are your favorite trails to visit in winter? Tell us!

The best hikes in Ohio aren’t the only ways to enjoy the cold weather in Ohio. There are tons of things to do in the winter in Ohio. We recommend going on a cute winter getaway in Ohio to make the most of the winter.

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Best Winter Hikes In Ohio

Daniella DiRienzo | December 10, 2021

What are some other fun things to do in the winter in Ohio?

There are lots of fun things to do in the winter in Ohio including:

  • Medina Ice Festival
  • Portsmouth Winterfest
  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights
  • Snow tubing at Polar Blast Snow Tubing Park, which is part of the Brandywine Ski Resort. Touted as “northeast Ohio’s largest tubing park,” it boasts more than 20 tubing chutes. Plus, there’s a conveyor belt that pulls tubers back up the hill, ensuring no time is wasted. A great visit day AND night, the park is illuminated for after-dark tubing and stays open extra late on the weekends. Fire pits, a bar, and an on-site eatery are also part of the park’s perks.

 

What are the top winter outdoor activities in Ohio?

Of all the fun winter outdoor activities in Ohio, nothing quite compares to cross-country skiing at Chapin Forest Reservation. The perfect place for an exhilarating cold-weather adventure, there are more than six miles of cross-country trails within the forest. Not only are the trails groomed regularly, but a portion is lighted, so you can ski after dark. Even better, there’s no need to lug your ski equipment to the forest. Cross-country skis and snowshoes are available for rent; however, they’re offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s important to arrive early. Also, whether or not the trails are open depends on snow conditions.

Where else can I enjoy cold weather hiking in Ohio?

There are tons of places to enjoy cold weather hiking in Ohio. A couple of other prime spots to get some fresh air and exercise in the Ohio wintertime are:

 

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