The "Buckeye State," home to the Ohio Buckeye tree, is as unique as its nickname. The Great Miami River Paddle Trail in southwest Ohio starts in Indian Lake and flows southeast where it joins the Ohio (Great) River. Here there are plentiful farmlands and forests full of giant whitetails and thriving wildlife as you canoe through streams perfect for smallmouth bass fishing. As one of only 22 national paddle trails, this is sure to be a big draw for outdoor adventurers.
Hocking Hills State Park, one of the state’s most beautiful areas, is located just east of here in the Wayne National Forest. Hocking Hills is a backwoods destination for those seeking serenity and solitude. Almost 300,000 acres of midwestern hardwoods and pines offer camping, hiking, hunting and more.
The region is filled with waterfalls, rock formations and caves. Majestic Old Man's Cave towers above the forest floor and captures the imagination, stirring images of the ancient Native Americans who lived here centuries before.
In Cuyahoga Valley National Park, families enjoy weekend outings in wilderness areas year-round. Portions of the 1,400-mile Buckeye Trail wind through the park along with shorter trails like the Brandywine Gorge Trail. Brandywine Falls, one of the most photographed falls in America, seldom disappoints hikers who wander by its cascading waters.
Just east of Columbus is Dillon Wilderness and Wildlife Area. A third of the land here is filled with high-yielding fields of corn and small grains. The remaining two-thirds is mostly forested with willows, cottonwoods and other bottomland hardwoods. The timber providing the perfect habitat for whitetail deer, cottontail rabbit, fox and wild turkeys.
Waterfowl hunters pursue Ohio migratory birds along the Dillon Reservoir and Licking River. Mallards, blue-winged teal and ring-necked duck are common species found on these marshes. With a state respected for its game regulations and management, Ohio offers top-tier hunting throughout the spring and fall, border-to-border.
Ohio's 312 miles of Lake Erie shoreline gives a maritime feel to the state. Dodge the waves by jumping along giant rock slabs at Marblehead Lighthouse. Or take a ferry to historic Put-in-Bay, one of Ohio's Lake Erie Islands. The Great Lake is perfect for boating, kayaking and big-lake fishing. Salmon, steelhead and world-class walleye are among the species of fish the Great Lakes provide. Ohio is a beautiful state, with waters and lands that demand attention and aid in lifelong memories made.
