5 Spots in Ohio We’re Especially Thankful for This Year

Some of my favorite memories of growing up in Ohio revolve around time spent in nature. Beyond its famous farmland, Ohio offers forests, rivers, and rock formations to explore—not to mention a national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a Great Lake. The Buckeye State is underrated in terms of its natural beauty. From indigenous earthworks to islands to underground caverns, I’m thankful for these outdoor places that make Ohio special.

1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Located between the cities of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the country’s most inviting national parks. Cuyahoga Valley National Park spans over 32,000 acres of forests, farms, and hills along the winding Cuyahoga River. Paddle the river, bike the historic Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, or hike more than 125 miles of trails as you spot wildlife. Not only can you admire a 60-foot waterfall at Brandywine Falls, hike among massive rock formations at Ledges, and see beavers and herons at Beaver Marsh. You can also hear an orchestra play outdoors, sip local vintages at a winery, hit a ski slope, shop for produce at national park farms, and ride a historic scenic railway.

2. Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks - Chillicothe

There are only about two dozen UNESCO World Heritage sites in the United States and one of them is in Ohio. The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks comprise eight enormous earthworks constructed as ceremonial centers between 2,000 and 1,600 years ago by the people known today as the Hopewell Culture. The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, located in Chillicothe, contains five of the earthworks. Learn more about the Hopewell Culture at the visitor center. Then, stroll nature trails in the 1,800-acre park between the four earthworks open to the public: Mound City Group, Hopeton Earthworks, Hopewell Mound Group, and Seip Earthworks.

3. Ohio Caverns - West Liberty

Not all of Ohio’s natural wonders can be seen above ground. The Ohio Caverns in West Liberty offer an enchanting world beneath the surface of the earth, as Ohio’s largest cavern. Tour 3 miles across two different parts of the cavern on your visit, including parts of the cavern that were explored from 1897 to 1925 on the Historic Tour and parts discovered after 1925 on the Natural Wonder Tour. Marvel at the “Crystal King,” the largest stalactite in Ohio. The cavern’s mineral deposits and formations display a unique spectrum of colors, earning it the nickname “America’s most colorful cavern.”

4. Lake Erie Islands

One of the best ways to enjoy Ohio’s position on Lake Erie is to take a trip to some of its islands. Whether you take a spin on a private boat or visit by ferry, you’ll discover beaches, natural habitats, local businesses, and epic history. Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island is the area’s best vacation town, where you can enjoy a meal, visit the world’s largest geode at the Crystal Cave, and learn about the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. See grooves carved by glaciers 12,000 years ago on Kelleys Island, spot rare birds at wildlife areas on North Bass Island, and sip wine at a 150-year-old winery on Middle Bass Island.

5. Hocking Hills State Park - Logan

The secret is out about Hocking Hills. The state park located in Southeastern Ohio, features breathtaking waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, forests, and caves. Ten miles of hiking trails offer varying degrees of difficulty and stunning views to explore. The popular Ash Cave Gorge trail is an accessible trail rated easy and the Ash Cave Rim trail is moderate. Both 0.25-mile trails lead to the picturesque Ash Cave, the largest recess cave in the state. For a more challenging hike, the difficult, 4.5-mile Whispering Cave Trail leads to the region’s second-largest cave with a scenic waterfall as your payoff.

With epic landscapes, inviting trails, and deep history, these are some of the best places to visit in Ohio. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip through Ohio using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.