The Ohio State Parks Just Turned 75 Years Old And They're The Perfect Place For A Day Trip
By Sarah McCosham|Published March 06, 2024
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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.
Governor Mike DeWine has declared 2024 the Year of the Ohio State Parks, marking a 12-month celebration of our state’s most treasured natural lands. Ohio is home to 75 state parks that celebrate 75 years in 2024, making this year a fantastic opportunity to plan a day trip (or two) to explore some new-to-you sites. Here’s an overview of all things Ohio State Parks:
Ohio started designating properties as official state parks in 1949 when lawmakers created the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, or ODNR. If you do the math, that makes 2024 the 75th anniversary of the Ohio State Parks AND Ohio Department of Natural Resources; the latter is also celebrating a department-wide 75th anniversary throughout 2024 by highlighting the achievements of all 12 divisions.
Ohio's oldest state park shares a birthday with the DNR. In 1949, when the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was created, the area officially became Buckeye Lake State Park.
Buckeye Lake State Park, 2905 Leibs Island Rd NE, Millersport, OH 43046, USA
This Ohio State Park is a living lesson in our state's canal history, which, once replaced by railroads, needed a new use. By 1900, there were numerous cottages and several amusement parks around Buckeye Lake. In the early 1900's, as recreational use increased and power boats became popular, the "North Bank" was reinforced and the "Middle Wall" removed. Development continued around the lake. During the 1940s and 50s, many folks traveled to the Buckeye Lake Amusement Park to see big-band stars, dance at the Crystal Ballroom and picnic.
Today, Buckeye Lake State Park is a popular day trip in Ohio for anyone who enjoys being out on the water!
There are 75 Ohio State Parks, plus 24 state forests, 143 state nature preserves, and 150 wildlife areas. In total, the ODNR owns and manages more than 800,000 acres of land!
Ohio State Parks showcase the best of the Buckeye State’s scenic beauty, boasting more than 1,000 miles of forest trails and 70 glorious lakes primed for all sorts of outdoor recreation.
From the oldest (Buckeye Lake State Park) to the newest (Great Council State Park), the smallest (Oak Point State Park) to the largest (Salt Fork State Park), the Ohio State Parks present near-endless opportunities for day trips and overnight adventures!
What are the best Ohio State Parks for a day trip?
No matter where in the Buckeye State you’re located, if you’re searching for an Ohio State Park near me, you’re going to have lots of great options. Here are some of our all-time favorite Ohio State Parks:
Largely considered the Crown Jewel of Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park's 2,356-acre expanse offers some of the most sublime scenery and bucket-list-worthy outdoor recreation in the state -- and entire Midwest.
If you take just one hike, make it the Old Man's Cave Loop, which winds past some of the park's most iconic natural wonders, including Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, Lower Falls, and the titular Old Man's Cave. My husband and I had the pleasure of enjoying this hike on a recent winter day, and we were absolutely blown away by how serene this place is! Hocking Hills is one of those places that absolutely exceeds expectations and lives up to the hype.
Need a place to stay in the area? Check out The Box Hop, a shipping container-turned-luxury-Airbnb!
A slice of Narnia in western Ohio, John Bryan State Park offers 752 acres of scenery plus a stunning limestone gorge cut by the Little Miami State and National Scenic River. It's a beautiful place for a day trip, offering some of the most magical hiking in Ohio.
John Bryan State Park, 3790 OH-370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
Looking to turn your day trip to this Ohio State Park into an overnight adventure? The Catalpa Cottage is a cozy new retreat in Yellow Springs that's impossibly charming and nestled in a shady canopy of lush Catalpa trees! Swoon.
In northeastern Ohio, Mohican State Park and the adjacent 4,525-acre Mohican-Memorial State Forest offer unrivaled opportunities to explore some of Ohio's most breathtaking scenery. Clear Fork Gorge, Lyon's Falls, and the Mohican State Scenic River are just a few of the must-sees for adventurers.
This park's location ALSO puts it in range of the Total Solar Eclipse taking place on April 8, 2024.
Just outside of our capital city, Alum Creek State Park is a beloved local secret known for extraordinary water recreation, including an expansive beach that's the largest in the Ohio State Parks system!
Alum Creek State Park Campground, 2911 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
While there are wonderful camping opportunities here, those looking to level up their experience at this Ohio State Park should consider a night in The Angler, a cozy cottage tucked away in on a secluded plot of wooded acreage in Delaware, Ohio.
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How much does it cost to visit the Ohio State Parks?
Admission to ALL 75 Ohio State Parks is always free, making these treasured natural lands one of the most affordable day trips in Ohio.
While admission to each and every Ohio State Park is free, for $10 you can purchase a Park Passport to track your travels and plan more adventures. Users are encouraged to visit park facilities to “stamp” their own passports, or they can use the full set of park decals conveniently included with each passport.
The booklet includes regional maps, photographs, and individual pages for each Ohio State Park. Each park page highlights facilities, available activities, interesting facts, and local contact information, making it an excellent guide to keep in your car for impromptu day trip adventures. Why not make 2024 the year you fill our your passport... right here in Ohio?
We are so lucky to have an array of swoon-worthy Ohio State Parks to visit, and with 2024 the Year of the Ohio State Parks, a day trip (or two, or 75!) is in order!
Looking for some more Ohio State Parks inspo? This beautiful map will inspire you to visit all of our beautiful Buckeye State parks and forests!
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