Most Popular Ohio State Parks

Alum Creek State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: Southeast of Delaware, Ohio off U.S. Route 23
Phone: 740-548-4631 

Alum Creek's large reservoir and gently rolling span of fields and woodlands provides a hub of recreational activity just minutes from Ohio's capital city. Quiet coves nestled among shale cliffs await the solitary fisherman in the park's northern reaches while sunseekers mingle with thousands on Ohio's largest inland beach. Alum Creek's 289 family campsites offer both wooded and sunny areas, some of which overlook the lake. This well-designed electrified campground has a beach and a boat ramp for exclusive use of the overnight guests. Three full-service campsites offer sewer and water hookups as well. Heated shower facilities are located throughout the facility. Hikers and horsepeople enjoy the rugged northern reaches of the park. Over forty miles of trail wind along the lakeshore through mature beech-maple forests and across deep ravines.
 

Cleveland Lakefront State Park

Admission is Free
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: On the Lake Erie shore in downtown Cleveland, Ohio
Phone: 216-881-8141

In the heart of one of Ohio's largest cities, Cleveland Lakefront State Park provides natural relief to the metropolitan skyline. Sand beaches, tree-lined picnic areas and panoramic views of the lake are found within the park along the Lake Erie shoreline. Six separate recreation areas provide some of the finest recreation available. Sand beaches are scattered along the main shoreline. Coastal plants such as sand cherry, beach grass, beach pea and others are rare in this urban environment.
 

East Harbor State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: On State Route 269, northeast of Port Clinton, Ohio
Phone: 419-734-4424 

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, East Harbor State Park has unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping are popular while nature enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of waterfowl, shorebirds and other species of wildlife found in the park's scenic wetlands. The campground at East Harbor is the largest in the Ohio State Park system with 365 electric sites and 205 non-electric sites. The campground is equipped with showers, flush toilets, dump station, launch ramp and camp store. Two Rent-A-RV units on full-service sites are available for weekly rental only. Two deluxe camper cabins are also available for rent. East Harbor's 7-mile trail system leads through the many different habitats within the park. Thousands of visitors come to East Harbor's 1,500-foot sand beach. Volleyball, basketball and horseshoe courts, along with playground equipment, are located in the campground or day use area. Bike rental is available from the camp office.
 

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: On State Route 703 just west of St. Marys, Ohio
Phone: 419-394-3611 

Originally constructed as a feeder reservoir for the Miami-Erie Canal, Grand Lake St. Marys was for many years recognized as the largest man-made reservoir in the world. This large lake is the gateway to swimming, boating, camping and fishing in one of Ohio's oldest state parks. The campground contains 210 sites of which 142 are equipped with electricity. Facilities include flush toilets, laundry, showers and a dump station. The campground also offers a “camper’s only” swimming beach, boat launch and boat docks/tie-ups. Two air-conditioned Camper Cabins and two Rent-A-Tepees with camping gear may be rented from May-October. Two spacious Cedar Cabins with all the amenities of a fully-equipped RV are also available for daily or weekly rental. A seasonal naturalist holds scheduled programs Thursday through Saturday night. Boats with no limits on horsepower are permitted on the lake. Five state operated launch ramps provide access to the lake. Several private launch ramps also exist along the shallow shoreline. Fuel, boat rentals and seasonal dock rentals are available. 

Hocking Hills State Park

Admission is Free 
Open daily dawn to dusk
Location: On State Route 664, just west of Logan, Ohio
Phone: 740-385-6842

This is probably the purest and most beautiful natural landscape in Ohio. In fact, unless you’ve been there, you wouldn’t believe that such a breathtaking place could be found in Ohio. Hocking Hills, located in southeastern Ohio, features extraordinarily picturesque caves, waterfalls, forest, gorges, abundant wildlife, rock outcrops and elevated views. The featured attractions are as follows:  

• Old Man’s Cave: Most people talk of Hocking Hills and Old Man’s Cave synonymously. It is a long stretch of valley that basically has it all. From the rocky cavernous terrain along Old Man’s Cave to streams, cliffs, undercut rock, waterfall and plant life. 
• Ash Cave: This is an enormous cave-like ridge with an impressive view from the bottom or top – both of which are assessable. It is very high and very wide. People walking along the bottom inner-rim look like ants as you hike toward them along the beautiful gorge. And on a good day, it has water flowing from the cave’s peak to a pond floor at the bottom.
• Rock House: No, no music here. Instead, it is basically a cave/cliff with natural window views through the rock. Inside, you may feel like this is a house that could have been used on The Flintstones. It has a spectacular view of the greenery and valley resting far below.
• Cedar Falls: This is a great place to relax and enjoy the rhythm of the pounding water. It has moss-covered cliffs and plenty of natural beauty surrounding the area.
• Cantwell Cliffs: A bit more remote to reach compared to other Hocking Hill’s highlights, Cantwell Cliffs is worth it. It’s plush forestry, deep valley and narrow passageway along the valley floor will certainly be appreciated by all. 
• Conkles Hollow: This area has hiking trails high along the cliffs or along the gorge floor. In any case, it is amidst a refreshing wilderness that seems untouched.

Hocking Hills provides a variety of recreational opportunities in a splendid natural setting. Towering cliffs, waterfalls and deep hemlock-shaded gorges lure the hiker and naturalist and serve as a backdrop to popular facilities and accommodations. The natural history of this region is as fascinating as the caves are beautiful. Forty gas-heated, air-conditioned, family housekeeping cottages sleep up to six persons. Each cottage has two bedrooms (one with two twin beds; one with a double bed), bath with a shower, living room with a trundle sofa, gas-burning fireplace, microwave, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch. The dining lodge contains a restaurant, meeting rooms, TV lounge, game room, snack bar and an outside swimming pool. There are miles of trail located throughout the park and adjacent state forest. These trails are beautiful as well as potentially dangerous: caution and common sense are advised. Young children should be closely supervised while in these areas. All park visitors must remain on the trails at all times.