6 Great Escapes

6

Great Escapes

Nearby outdoor adventures perfect for the whole family

By Corinne Minard

Sometimes we just need to get out of the house, especially as we finally enter spring. It feels like you and your family have been stuck inside for the last couple months and you’re ready to breathe in some fresh air, unplug your devices and explore someplace new. Our suggestion? Visit one of our region’s great parks! The following seven parks are all within two hours of Cincinnati and promise both outdoor recreation and lots of nature. Are you ready for an escape?

Hueston Woods State Park • Ohio Located near the Indiana border, Hueston Woods State Park is a good park for families looking to explore the outdoors together. It’s home to the 625-acre Acton Lake and its 12 hiking trails are all considered to be of moderate difficulty. One of the highlights of the park is its state nature preserve, which has the largest old-growth forest in southwest Ohio as well as one of the largest nature centers in the state.

WHAT TO DO: “Hueston is one of those places where I say no matter who you bring

along with you in the family, there’s something [they’ll like],” says Heidi Hetzel-Evans, communications manager for the Ohio Department of Parks and Watercraft. The park is great for outdoor recreation thanks to its many hiking trails and a mountain biking trail. Those who own horses can bring them to the park to ride on one of its many bridle trails. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, an archery range, a lake for boating and fishing, an 18-hole golf course and the aforementioned nature center. Fossil hunting is also a popular activity thanks to the limestone and shale bedrock of the area.

WHERE TO STAY: Hueston Woods State Park is one of nine Ohio state parks with a lodge on the park grounds. Visitors have the option of staying in one of the lodge’s 92 rooms or in one of the park’s many cabins. Looking to stay someplace unique? The park also rents out a yurt, a round tent with modern amenities.

WHAT’S NEARBY: If the family needs a break from the outdoors, the town of Oxford is

just a quick 10-minute drive away. There, you can visit several historic attractions and the Miami University Art Museum or sit down for a meal in one of the town’s local cafés.

LOCATION: College Corner PARK SIZE: About 3,000 acres TRAILS: 12 hiking trails, 1 mountain biking trail and various bridle trails w w w.

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6 Great Escapes

Shawnee State Park • Ohio Shawnee State Park is part of the former hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians and looks much the same as it did when they hunted there. The park is located within the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest, making Shawnee a much more rugged and natural park than Hueston Woods. In addition to the forest, visitors will also fi nd two lakes and a nature center.

WHAT TO DO: Boating and fishing are popular activities thanks to the park’s two

lakes. Both lakes have public beaches for swimming. The park is also great for those who enjoy long-distance hiking—the Shawnee Backpacking Trail covers about 40 miles. Hetzel-Evans adds that the park is home to many wildflowers. “Shawnee is an absolutely gorgeous place for spring wildflowers,” she says.

WHERE TO STAY: While Shawnee State Park is known for its outdoor activities, it does

have more modern lodging for those who desire it. Visitors can stay in the park’s 50room lodge, in one of the park’s 25 cabins or at one of the 108 campsites, 94 of which have electrical hookups.

WHAT’S NEARBY: Because of the Shawnee State Forest, there’s not too much near the park. But a half-hour drive east will take you to Amish Country in Adams County.

LOCATION: West Portsmouth PARK SIZE: 1,095 acres within the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest TRAILS: 9 hiking trails, 2 bridle trails and 1 backpacking trail 48

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Caesar Shawnee Creek State State Park Park • Ohio • Ohio The 2,830-acre lake may be the star of Caesar Creek State Park. The lake allows the use of boats of all speeds, but there are still swim and paddling areas for those looking to slow down. Right next door to the park is the 484-acre Caesar Creek Gorge State Nature Reserve and a 135-acre Scenic River land.

WHAT TO DO: Boating and fishing are both very popular at Caesar Creek,

but that’s not all there is to do. The park has many hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails that cover the grounds. Most of the trails are rated moderate to difficult, and some of them include scenic waterfalls and views of the lake. While high-speed boats often use the lake, paddling is also popular, with the park’s naturalist regularly leading a sunset paddling trip.

WHERE TO STAY: Caesar Creek State Park offers a variety of campsites

for those looking to stay in the park. It has 269 electric sites, 18 full hookup sites and even an equestrian camp with 30 non-electric sites.

WHAT’S NEARBY: Lots of family attractions are close to the park,

including Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve, a Pioneer Village and Kings Island.

LOCATION: Wilmington PARK SIZE: 3,741 acres TRAILS: 14 hiking trails, 4 bridle trails and 2 mountain biking trails w w w.

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6 Great Escapes

John Bryan State Park • Ohio The scenic John Bryan State Park separates itself from the region’s other parks thanks to its main feature—a limestone gorge formed by the Little Miami River.

Visitors can easily see the layers of limestone and shale in addition to unique rock formations. The park is also home to many types of flora and fauna—it boasts 100 different types of trees and shrubs, more than 340 kinds of wildflowers and more than 90 different varieties of birds.

WHAT TO DO: While no power boating is allowed, the Little Miami River is ideal for canoeing and fishing. The park has 9.7 miles of interconnected mountain biking trails and 10 hiking trails. Visitors can also rock climb or rappel at designated locations, though they must bring their own equipment. The Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is also nearby. Hetzel-Evans says that the preserve’s wildflower display is stunning and worth a trip on its own.

WHERE TO STAY: Hetzel-Evans says that John Bryan has more primitive campsites than many other Ohio state parks, but its beauty makes up for it. The park has nine electric sites and 52 non-electric sites.

WHAT’S NEARBY: To see history in action, campers can visit the Clifton Mill, one of the largest water-powered gristmills still in existence. Nearby Yellow Springs, on the other hand, is home to many unique shops as well as Young’s Jersey Dairy farm.

LOCATION: Yellow Springs PARK SIZE: 752 acres TRAILS: 10 hiking trails and 6 mountain biking trails 50

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East Fork State Park • Ohio One of Ohio’s largest state parks, East Fork State Park features a large lake, hills and rivers. The park is known for its diverse landscapes, including floodplains, grasslands and forests. Because of this, the park is home to a variety of plants and animals.

WHAT TO DO: East Fork has seven boat ramps to give boaters access to the 2,160-acre

Harsha Lake. While boating remains a favorite activity, Hetzel-Evans says that paddling is on the rise. “Paddling has really increased, and most folks might be surprised to hear that it’s really popular for rowing teams. [The park] actually hosts several regional and national junior rowing [events]. It’s because of the lake and the amount of flat water—it’s perfect for rowing competitions and rowing practices,” she says. The park also has a 1,200-foot swimming beach with a beach house, 46 miles of back country trail, a 16-mile backpacking trail and 32-mile perimeter trail.

WHERE TO STAY: All campers at East Fork State Park must reserve a campsite ahead

of time. Campers can choose from 376 electric sites, 23 full hookup sites and 17 horsefriendly sites.

WHAT’S NEARBY: A bit of history can be found in the region around the park. The birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant—Point Pleasant—and the one-room cottage in which he was born are within a half-hour drive from the park. Even closer is the town of New Richmond, which has the Ross-Gowdy House Museum and the World’s Only Cardboard Boat Museum.

LOCATION: Batavia PARK SIZE: 4,870 acres TRAILS: 8 hiking trails, 3 bridle trails and 1 mountain biking trail w w w.

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6 Great Escapes Clifty Falls State Park • Indiana The four waterfalls at Clifty Falls State Park make the park a scenic place to enjoy the outdoors. Many of the park’s trails pass by the falls, but visitors can also explore Clifty Canyon. Those who hike the canyon will be able to see many rock formations in addition to fossils.

WHAT TO DO: The park’s Four Falls Challenge encourages visitors to see all four of the Clifty Falls’ waterfalls, with those who complete the challenge earning a commemorative sticker. The park has 10 hiking trails, rated from easy to rugged; a nature center; tennis courts; and a swimming pool.

WHERE TO STAY: For those looking to camp, Clifty Falls State Park has 106 electric sites and 63 non-electric ones. But for a hotel experience, visitors can stay at the Clifty Inn, which offers a variety of room types as well as a restaurant.

PHOTO BY DANIELLE CAIN

WHAT’S NEARBY: Located within the city of Madison, the park is just a quick drive away from many attractions. Visitors to Madison can go antiquing, stop by Mad Paddle Brewery, see several historic sites or sample the wines of Madison’s three award-winning wineries.

LOCATION: Madison PARK SIZE: 1,519 acres TRAILS: 10 hiking trails

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MORE ESCAPES Looking for more ways to get outside?

Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio is home to cliffs, waterfalls and gorges that are perfect for hikers who want to explore. Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky has a sky lift and a 78-foothigh, 65-foot-long natural sandstone arch.

And the Starve-Hollow Recreation Area, located within the 18,000-acre JacksonWashington State Forest, is considered to be one of the best places to camp in southern Indiana.

Hocking Hills State Park

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