Chapel Cave in Hocking State Forest by Javi Gutierrez

The Ultimate Nature Lover's Ohio Road Trip

Jacob Teed

Day 6
Hocking Hills State Park
There’s so much to see in Hocking Hills, so it’s unlikely you’ll even be able to see everything in one day. At the very least, make sure to see Ash Cave (the largest recess cave in the state), Old Man’s Cave and its many waterfalls, Cedar Falls, Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, and Rock House. If you haven’t hiked at least 12 miles by the end of the day, you probably haven’t seen enough.

West Milton Cascades by Vince Nobel

Blackhand Gorge by Patrick Harvey

Day 9
Nelson Ledges State Park and Quarry Park
From Youngstown, the trip heads northwest to Nelson Ledges State Park, a small park containing some of the most impressive sandstone ledges in all of Northeast Ohio. The park is a great place for climbing and exploring and in addition two waterfalls can be found here: Cascade Falls and Minnehaha Falls. Finish the day by relaxing at the adjacent Nelson Ledges Quarry Park. The park is a great spot for legal cliff jumping and for getting some surprisingly awesome food. Admission is $7 a person so be sure to have a few dollars on hand.

Day 8
Sheepskin Hollow and Lanterman’s Mill
Now begins the longest stretch of the trip without a stop. The trip takes you to the eastern border of Ohio, right across the Ohio River from Wheeling, West Virginia. You’ll follow the Ohio River north to East Liverpool then leave the Ohio River Valley and continue north, reaching Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve near the Ohio-Pennsylvania Border. Although this isn’t the most dramatic park you’ll find on this trip by any measure, it’s certainly the wildest. The park has 0 trails and visitors are free to explore the park to their heart’s content. The main feature of the park is a lush hemlock gorge, full of waterfalls and steep rocky outcrops. Finish the day by going to a place a world away from here: Mill Creek Park. Unlike the wild Sheepskin Hollow, Mill Creek Park is quite developed and is located within the city of Youngstown and centers around Lantermans Mill, a Historic Mill that overlooks a 20-foot waterfall. 

Whether you’ve actually gone on one or not, one of the most coveted summer activities is to go on a long road trip. Not everyone has time to spend months exploring the country, so for that reason we have developed this 11-day road trip that loops around the state of Ohio, hitting a majority of the incredible parks, overlooks, and waterfalls this state has to offer! Many hours of work and research went in to creating this trip so we hope you enjoy!

Brandywine Falls by Gabe Leidy

Day 4
Indian Run Falls, Hayden Run Falls, Highbanks Metro Park and overlook
From Buzzards Roost, continue to head north, reaching the Columbus Metro Area. Today you will hit the three best nature spots Columbus has to offer. Your first stop is Indian Run Falls Park, a small park in Dublin that contains two 10-foot+ waterfalls and a narrow gorge that is great for exploring. Next, get back in the car and drive for just a few minutes to view the stunning Hayden Run Falls. Hayden Run Falls is easily the most impressive waterfall in Central Ohio and perhaps the best waterfall you’ve seen on this trip so far. Finish off the day at Highbanks Metropark and take the Overlook Trail to get views of the Olentangy River Valley atop the park’s famous 100-foot tall river bluffs.

Day 3:
Sharon Woods Metro Park
You’ll continue to head south, reaching the Cincinnati area. Today you will explore Sharon Woods Metro Park, one of the most scenic parks in all of Cincinnati. Make sure to hike the park’s Gorge Trail, which takes you up a lush waterfall filled ravine. After Sharon Woods, get back in the car and drive Southeast to your next day’s destination; Shawnee State Forest.

Natural Ohio Adventures

Day 5:
Rising Park and Hocking State Forest
After looping around Columbus you’ll now head southeast, driving towards Hocking Hills State Park. Your first stop is Rising Park in Lancaster. The park’s main attraction is a rugged overlook that sits atop a 250-foot bluff that looks over the city of Lancaster and the surrounding foothills. After the overlook you’ll drive further south and reach the Hocking Hills Area. Hocking Hills State Park needs a minimum of an entire day to explore, so spend your extra time exploring the adjacent Hocking State Forest, checking out the forest’s natural wonders like Chapel Cave and the Airplane Rock Overlook.

Day 2:
Ludlow Falls, West Milton Cascades, Charleston Falls, John Bryan State Park
After exploring Ohio’s Northwest corner, You’ll take the highway south to view a trio of waterfalls and a dramatic state park. Your first destination of the day Ludlow Falls, a 15-foot tall, 60-foot wide waterfall that is potentially the largest waterfall in Western Ohio by volume of water. After admiring Ludlow Falls, head just further south to reach the town of West Milton to view the scenic 20-foot West Milton Cascades. To finish the waterfall trilogy on a high note, drive to the Charleston Falls Nature Preserve, home to the 37-foot Charleston Falls. End the day by exploring John Bryan State Park and the adjacent Clifton Falls State Nature Preserve, a small park that preserves and protects the narrow and dramatic Clifton Gorge of the Little Miami River.

Oak Openings Preserve by Hunter Gawne

Day 10
Lake County Metro Parks
After your full day at Nelson Ledges you’ll continue to head north, reaching the parks of Lake County, which are some of the most underrated in all of Ohio. Your first stop is the Hell Hollow Wilderness Area, a park as wild as its name suggests. The park has no more than a mile of trails, but this place has much more to offer than what meets the eye. Take a hike off-trail and you’ll discover hidden waterfalls, complete isolation, and more waterfalls. After sufficiently exploring the park, get back in the car and drive 5 minutes to Paine Falls, a 30-foot waterfall that’s probably the most impressive in all of Lake County. You have two possible choices for your last stop of the day; either Indian Point Park or Chair Factory Falls. Either choice is equally spectacular, but if you’re more in the mood for an overlook, Indian Point is definitely the way to go. 

Lower Indian Run Falls by Carey Sherrill

The Trip

Day 4:
Shawnee State Forest & Buzzards Roost Nature Preserve
Start the day by exploring Shawnee State Forest, the largest Ohio State Forest at over 60,000 acres in size. The forest has been named “The Little Smokies” because its rolling hills resemble a miniature version of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From here, drive north to Buzzards Roost Nature Preserve, the second and last stop of the day. The preserve contains two of the most dramatic overlooks in Ohio and is so rugged its highest point is nearly 600 feet above its lowest point!

Chair Factory Falls by Kevin Harrison

Sharon Woods by Justin Smith

Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills by Matt Hoffman

Day 1

Oak Openings and Farnsworth Metro Park

Begin your Ohio road trip by visiting Northwest Ohio’s most famous park: Oak Openings Preserve. The park is home to some of the tallest pine trees in Ohio and is one of the most ecologically significant areas in the state. After exploring the park, head to Farnsworth Metropark on the Maumee River to visit the Rouche De Beouf (a large rock outcropping) and the Interurban Bridge, which was once the largest earth filled-concrete reinforced bridge in the world, but today is in ruins.

Lanterman's Mill by Nick Hoeller

Day 7
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve and Salt Fork State Park
After you leave Hocking Hills, you’ll barely travel south again until you exit Lake County several days from now. Start your day at Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve, which protects a dramatic gorge cut by the Licking River. Head east to finish the day at Salt Fork State Park, Ohio’s largest State Park at over 20,000 acres. Once at Salt Fork be sure to check out Hosak’s Cave, a recess cave and waterfall that rivals the sights of Hocking Hills.

Englewood Metropark
Sunderland Falls
Greenville Falls
Glen Helen Nature Preserve
Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Rock Mill Falls
Clear Creek Metro Park
Christmas Rocks Nature Preserve
Cantwell Cliffs, Hocking Hills State Park
Rockbridge Natural Bridge and Waterfall
Quakerstown Falls (right across the PA border)
Hidden Valley Metro Park
Baker Road Park
Chapin Forest Preserve
Crazy Man’s Hollow Falls
Black River Reservation/ Days Dam Falls
And much more
Happy road tripping!

Nelson Ledges State Park by Kristian Schreiber

Shawnee State Forest by Dave Dotson

Day 11
Cuyahoga National Park and Cascade Park
Begin your final day of the trip by driving south to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio’s only National Park. Be sure to see the park’s famous sights like the 65-foot Brandywine Falls, the Virginia Kendall Ledges, and Blue Hen Falls. If you’re not completely exhausted by now, check out the Bedford Reservation as well, which contains the spectacular Great Falls of Tinkers Creek, Bridal Veil Falls, and the Tinkers Creek Overlook. Want even more? Hike up a creek in the Brecksville Reservation to reach the 70-foot Twin Sisters Falls, the tallest waterfall in the entire park. To finish your day, head west to Cascade Park in Elyria. Take the park’s short loop trail to reach the West Falls of the Black River, a 35-foot tall, 70-foot wide waterfall that’s guaranteed to impress, even after a road trip of this caliber. Continue down the trail to get to the slightly less dramatic East Falls. From here, finish the trip by heading back to Toledo. Now, you have seen some of the best natural attractions Ohio has to offer, but at the same time, you barely saw a fraction the state. Below are a list of parks and natural features located near the path of the road trip that we didn’t include.