Do you need a little adventure in your life? Ohio’s state parks are the perfect places to explore when you need just that. The next time you find yourself with a free weekend and a sense of adventure, considering take a mini road trip to some of Ohio’s best state parks. We’ve put together the perfect weekend itinerary for some beautiful hiking and quality time in nature. The following four state parks to visit in Ohio are some of our favorites, and we hope you enjoy exploring them as much as we do! Let’s go on a little adventure…

Screenshot via Google Maps
The total trip clocks in at about 3.5 hours of drive time. To view a map of the trip in a separate tab or window, click here.
1. Hocking Hills State Park (Logan)
April Dray/Only In Your State
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH, USA
Diane C/Trip Advisor
Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound. The park features several things to do (including zip-lining), beautiful cabins to stay in and what is quite possibly the best hiking spot in the state: Old Man’s Cave. You'll also want to check out the Rock House while you're here.
2. Caesar Creek State Park (Waynesville)
April Dray/Only In Your State

Related Stories

Hocking Hills State Park Was Named The Most Beautiful Place In Ohio And We Have To Agree

Hocking Hills State Park Was Named The Most Beautiful Place In Ohio And We Have To Agree

 Cuyahoga Valley National Park Is A Scenic Outdoor Spot In Ohio That's A Nature Lover’s Dream Come True

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Is A Scenic Outdoor Spot In Ohio That's A Nature Lover’s Dream Come True

 This Entire Town In Ohio Was Turned Into A National Park You Can’t Pass Up

This Entire Town In Ohio Was Turned Into A National Park You Can’t Pass Up
Caesar Creek State Park, Ohio 73, Waynesville, OH, USA
April Dray/Only In Your State
Start your second day with one of the state’s most underrated hikes at Caesar Creek State Park. The trek to Horseshoe Falls follows the park's 11.5-mile Perimeter Loop Trail. You can hike the whole loop trail to see the falls, or just park your vehicle at Flat Fork Ridge and follow the yellow markings. (After you've crossed the swinging bridge, it won't be long until you hear the falls and approach the observation area.) Part of a larger trail, the 2.4-mile out-and-back trek to Horseshoe Falls from Flat Fork Ridge is a fairly easy, eventful journey that’s perfect for a short day hike.
3. John Bryan State Park (Yellow Springs)
John Bryan State Park, 3790 OH-370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
Sojournwithme/Trip Advisor
This gorgeous 752-acre park surrounds Clifton Gorge. You'll get great views of the gorge and the Little Miami River here. (Both the rim and gorge trails can be fairly difficult to hike here, so prepare for some strenuous areas.) You can hike the North Rim all the way to the connecting Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve if you have the time. You can camp here or stay in the charming town of Yellow Springs for the night.
4. Deer Creek State Park (Mt Sterling)
Mangement Photos/Trip Advisor
Deer Creek State Park, 20635 State Park Road 20, Mt Sterling, OH 43143, USA
Deer Creek State Lodge/Facebook
End your weekend with a stay at one of Ohio's most underrated state parks and most impressive lodges. The Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center features 110 guest rooms, an indoor pool, several outdoor actives and a restaurant with sweeping views of the lake. It’s truly the perfect place to get away from it all—even if it’s just for a night or two.

Have you explored any of these state parks? What other state parks to visit in Ohio would you add to this road trip? Share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us!

For more underrated state parks in Ohio, check out our previous article: 11 Under-Appreciated State Parks In Ohio You’re Sure To Love.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

state parks to visit in Ohio

Sarah | January 11, 2022

How many state parks are there in Ohio?

We absolutely adore our state parks here in the Buckeye State... and we have a lot of 'em, too! Open every day and always free, Ohio's 75 state parks provide a refuge from daily life. Boating, hiking, camping and fishing are just a few of the outdoor adventures that await you at Ohio State Parks! Which one is your favorite?

Does Ohio have any national parks?

We do! One of Ohio's best-kept secrets, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a place of immense natural beauty and splendor. Ohio's only national park is located just a short drive from Akron and Cleveland, but it feels like an entire world unto itself. In the fall, Cuyahoga's sugar maples and oak trees paint its trails in bright red and orange hues, rewarding hikers with a dazzling display of color; in the spring, you'll find verdant foliage and an abundance of wildlife. And during the winter? Well, if you're lucky, you might just see a frozen waterfall! If you're up for a more intense trek, the Brandywine Gorge Trail is one of the best places to soak up the park's natural beauty; hike up to the 65-foot Brandywine Falls to see panoramic park views in all directions. Of course, if you want a more leisurely scenic experience in Ohio's one and only national park, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a scenic ride through the park that will render you speechless.

What are some must-visit state parks in Ohio?

We have amazing parks all across the state, and some of our favorites are total under-the-radar gems. In Delaware, Alum Creek State Park is home to an eponymous reservoir that holds 3,387 acres of water and is open to fishing, boating, ice fishing, ice boating, and swimming. In northern Ohio, Mohican State Park is a vision. Surrounded by the 4,525-acre Mohican-Memorial State Forest, this beautiful state park sits just outside of the quiet, small town of Loudonville. Read about more of our favorite Ohio state parks here.

Related Articles

Explore Ohio