Ohio was meant to be explored.
From natural wonders and towering waterfalls to hidden castles and ancient ledges, there’s beauty everywhere you turn in the Buckeye State—you just have to know where to look. The following parks, mansions and places in Ohio are what we consider to be some of the most beautiful places in the state. See how many you’ve explored before and which ones you need to add to your bucket list:
- Old Man’s Cave (Logan)
April Dray/Only In Your State If you’ve yet to hike the Old Man’s Cave trail at Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, you’re truly missing out. It’s arguably the most beautiful hiking trail in Ohio—and it will make you feel like you’re temporarily living in a “Lord of the Rings” film. At approximately one mile in length, this gorgeous trail takes about an hour to complete, so it’s perfect for a day hike you can take your time exploring. Address: 19852 State Route 664 South, Logan, OH, 43138 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- Brandywine Falls (Sagamore Hills Township)
Megg/Flickr Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is also home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek. Known as Brandywine Falls, these easily accessible, beautiful falls are a must-see highlight within the park. Address: 8176 Brandywine Road, Northfield, OH 44067 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- Oak Openings Metro Park (Swanton)
Matt Taylor/Flickr Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony—and it will truly make you feel like you’re not in Ohio anymore. Address: 4139 Girdham Road, Swanton, OH, 43558 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens (Akron)
Gwendolyn Stansbury/Flickr This elaborate country estate in Akron is one of the largest homes in the U.S. An accredited museum of the American Alliance of Museums, this estate is open to the public for tours and other events and features five historic buildings, eight gardens and 70 acres. Address: 714 North Portage Path, Akron, OH, 44303 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- Lake Erie Bluffs (Perry)
Lake Erie Bluffs/Facebook This stunning beachfront metropark features 600 acres, including 40-foot-high beach bluffs, 9,000 feet of shoreline and perfectly picturesque beaches. You’ll also find a 50-ft. coastal observation tower that features breathtaking views of the lake and bluffs. Address: 2901 Clark Road, Perry, OH, 44081 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- Whispering Cave (Logan)
April Dray/Only In Your State With massive sandstone cliffs, a new cave, a towering waterfall and a swinging bridge, the brand new Hemlock Bridge Trail to Whispering Cave at Hocking Hills State Park is an Ohio adventure you simply have to take this summer. The Hemlock Bridge Trail is a 1.5-mile trail that leads to Whispering Cave, a 300 ft.-wide cavern many past visitors have yet to explore. Address: 20160 State Route 664, Logan, OH, 43138 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park Ledges (Peninsula)
vladeb/Flickr The Ledges Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio is one of those enchanting trails — and it’s a must-do. More than 300 million years ago, this trail’s area of the park was actually covered by an ancient sea. Melting glaciers helped to form what are now captivating ledges you can hike through. The Ledges Shelter and Trailhead is located at Truxell Road / Kendall Park Road, 1 mile west of Akron Cleveland Road, Peninsula 44264. For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- Ohio Caverns (West Liberty)
Brian Timmermeister/Flickr “America’s Most Colorful Caverns” can be found in West Liberty, Ohio. The caverns were formed thousands of years ago when an underground river cut through ancient limestone and created vast rooms and passageways. These passageways are now filled with crystal stalactites, stalagmites and many other formations.Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world’s largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Address: 2210 OH-245 East, West Liberty, OH, 43357 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- The Chateau Laroche (Loveland)
Mike Dray/Only In Your State Also known as the Loveland Castle, this lovely little medieval structure was built by hand—brick by brick—by one man, Sir Harry Andrews. Today it is open for the public to view for $5 a person, and is operated by modern day knights. Address: 12025 Shore Drive, Loveland, OH, 45140 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Clifton Gorge (Yellow Springs)
J. Todd Poling/Flickr If the lush, green trails at Clifton Gorge won’t enchant you, the waterfalls at Clifton Mill surely will. After you’ve hiked the gorge, explore the mill and stop for lunch. Address: 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH, 45387 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- The Rock House (Gibisonville)
daveryin/Flickr Within the Hocking Hills State Park, you’ll find a .5-mile trail to the beloved Rock House, an above ground cave with a 25 ft. high ceiling and massive window-like openings that hikers are free to explore—and it will seriously make you feel like Indiana Jones. Address: 16526 OH-374, Laurelville, OH, 43135 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- Nelson Kennedy Ledges (Garrettsville)
Ohio Hiking Trails and Historical Sites./Facebook While most people are familiar with the beauty of Ohio’s beloved Old Man’s Cave hiking trails and the Hocking Hills State Park, less people are aware of the similar breathtaking, adventurous nature hike you will experience at Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park. While it’s not technically “hidden,” it’s a highly underrated, lesser-known state park that’s an true hidden gem of Ohio. Address: 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH, 44231 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
- Ohio Amish Country (various counties)
yodersamishhome.com Nothing can warm your heart the way the rolling hills of Ohio Amish Country can. Take a drive through your favorite part and let the countryside scenery soothe your soul. (Pictured is Yoder’s Amish Home in Millersburg.) For more information and directions, read our full article here.
How many of these places have you been to before? What other places would you add to this list? Share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us!
April Dray/Only In Your State
If you’ve yet to hike the Old Man’s Cave trail at Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, you’re truly missing out. It’s arguably the most beautiful hiking trail in Ohio—and it will make you feel like you’re temporarily living in a “Lord of the Rings” film. At approximately one mile in length, this gorgeous trail takes about an hour to complete, so it’s perfect for a day hike you can take your time exploring. Address: 19852 State Route 664 South, Logan, OH, 43138 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Megg/Flickr
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is also home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek. Known as Brandywine Falls, these easily accessible, beautiful falls are a must-see highlight within the park. Address: 8176 Brandywine Road, Northfield, OH 44067 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Matt Taylor/Flickr
Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony—and it will truly make you feel like you’re not in Ohio anymore. Address: 4139 Girdham Road, Swanton, OH, 43558 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Gwendolyn Stansbury/Flickr
This elaborate country estate in Akron is one of the largest homes in the U.S. An accredited museum of the American Alliance of Museums, this estate is open to the public for tours and other events and features five historic buildings, eight gardens and 70 acres. Address: 714 North Portage Path, Akron, OH, 44303 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Lake Erie Bluffs/Facebook
This stunning beachfront metropark features 600 acres, including 40-foot-high beach bluffs, 9,000 feet of shoreline and perfectly picturesque beaches. You’ll also find a 50-ft. coastal observation tower that features breathtaking views of the lake and bluffs. Address: 2901 Clark Road, Perry, OH, 44081 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
With massive sandstone cliffs, a new cave, a towering waterfall and a swinging bridge, the brand new Hemlock Bridge Trail to Whispering Cave at Hocking Hills State Park is an Ohio adventure you simply have to take this summer. The Hemlock Bridge Trail is a 1.5-mile trail that leads to Whispering Cave, a 300 ft.-wide cavern many past visitors have yet to explore. Address: 20160 State Route 664, Logan, OH, 43138 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
vladeb/Flickr
The Ledges Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio is one of those enchanting trails — and it’s a must-do. More than 300 million years ago, this trail’s area of the park was actually covered by an ancient sea. Melting glaciers helped to form what are now captivating ledges you can hike through. The Ledges Shelter and Trailhead is located at Truxell Road / Kendall Park Road, 1 mile west of Akron Cleveland Road, Peninsula 44264. For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Brian Timmermeister/Flickr
“America’s Most Colorful Caverns” can be found in West Liberty, Ohio. The caverns were formed thousands of years ago when an underground river cut through ancient limestone and created vast rooms and passageways. These passageways are now filled with crystal stalactites, stalagmites and many other formations.Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world’s largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Address: 2210 OH-245 East, West Liberty, OH, 43357 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Mike Dray/Only In Your State
Also known as the Loveland Castle, this lovely little medieval structure was built by hand—brick by brick—by one man, Sir Harry Andrews. Today it is open for the public to view for $5 a person, and is operated by modern day knights. Address: 12025 Shore Drive, Loveland, OH, 45140 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
J. Todd Poling/Flickr
If the lush, green trails at Clifton Gorge won’t enchant you, the waterfalls at Clifton Mill surely will. After you’ve hiked the gorge, explore the mill and stop for lunch. Address: 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH, 45387 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
daveryin/Flickr
Within the Hocking Hills State Park, you’ll find a .5-mile trail to the beloved Rock House, an above ground cave with a 25 ft. high ceiling and massive window-like openings that hikers are free to explore—and it will seriously make you feel like Indiana Jones. Address: 16526 OH-374, Laurelville, OH, 43135 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Ohio Hiking Trails and Historical Sites./Facebook
While most people are familiar with the beauty of Ohio’s beloved Old Man’s Cave hiking trails and the Hocking Hills State Park, less people are aware of the similar breathtaking, adventurous nature hike you will experience at Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park. While it’s not technically “hidden,” it’s a highly underrated, lesser-known state park that’s an true hidden gem of Ohio. Address: 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH, 44231 For more information and directions, read our full article here.
yodersamishhome.com
Nothing can warm your heart the way the rolling hills of Ohio Amish Country can. Take a drive through your favorite part and let the countryside scenery soothe your soul. (Pictured is Yoder’s Amish Home in Millersburg.) For more information and directions, read our full article here.
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