From mountain bike riding, rock climbing, and snorkeling to winter camping, family camping, and backpacking there is a state park in Ohio with just the right activities for you. With 74 state parks scattered across the state, there is plenty to see and do in Ohio. Many of the parks offer historical exhibits, several with living interpretive programs and a few, like the Marblehead Lighthouse and several historic estates, provide tours for an enhanced experience.
Ohio state parks offer so much to do that most visitors want to stay overnight, so the park system provides a variety of affordable accommodation options to fit every vacation budget. 56 of Ohio's state parks have camping facilities with sites for tents and trailers, picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. Many of the campgrounds have electric hook-ups and other amenities as well. Horse camps are available at 18 of the parks with nearby access to excellent trails for horseback riding.
If you're interested in a camping trip but would rather not bring along your RV or your camping gear, Ohio's state parks have made it easy. Eight different parks offer campsite rentals of fully equipped tent sites with cots, a picnic canopy, cooler, lantern, and camping stove, while you can rent a furnished travel trailer with a private bath at four Ohio state parks. For a unique camping experience, visitors can rent a roomy teepee for six at five different parks or a comfortable yurt at one of six of Ohio's state parks. Kelly's Island state park, on peaceful Lake Eerie, offers luxury waterfront yurts that comfortably sleep six and are quite accommodating.
Several state parks in Ohio rent camper cabins that sleep up to 4, and sometimes 6. These quaint cabins are nestled in some of the best camping areas in Ohio and are located near all sorts of fun outdoor activities. Standard Ohio state park camper cabins provide beds, a cooler, and a camping lantern, while deluxe cabins often include camp stoves, microwaves, and sometimes mini refrigerators. A few state parks offer other amenities as well, including televisions, fireplaces, and more.
Larger cedar cabins can be rented at Alum Creek, Caesar Creek, East Fork, Grand Lake, and Geneva state parks. These rustic cabins are ideal family retreats, featuring a private bedroom and a loft area. All cedar cabins have full kitchens, bathrooms, and porches or decks. Most Ohio State Park cabins do not provide cookware, towels, or bed and kitchen linens. Coleman's stainless steel 2 person mess set is perfect for cabin camping.
South Bass Island State Park, one of the Lake Eerie Islands State Parks, offers a unique selection of lakeside rentals not found at any other Ohio state park. The four cabents are built like cabins, but feature canvas roofs for a more tent-like feel. Each cabent sleeps six and includes a bathroom and small kitchen. A television and cookware are provided with these rentals. The rustic cottage sleeps 8 with a private bedroom, living area, full kitchen, bathroom, screened porch and a deck.
If you want to enjoy a weekend offroading with your ATVs, rappelling at Hocking State Forest, or relaxing by the lakeshore with your fishing rod, Ohio State Parks are the place to be. With enough activities to please the entire family and a variety of camping and lodging accommodations, enjoying nature's beauty could never be easier.
