Ohio
Nature|National & State Parks

13 Spots In Ohio That Will Drop Your Frozen Jaw This Winter

Discover 13 stunningly beautiful places in Ohio to visit during the winter months.

Updated Nov 24, 2022

Written by 

April Dray

Although we've yet to experience a notable snowfall, we know that winter in Ohio can be stunningly beautiful. There are several parks, forests, and other destinations that are just as beautiful to see during the winter months as they are to explore during the spring, summer, and fall months. The following are 13 stunningly beautiful places in Ohio that we think you should take the time to get out and see this winter after you’ve had enough cabin fever. Even when it's chilly outside, it's always worth it to experience one of these spots.

1. Old Man’s Cave (Hocking Hills State Park)

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See 1, Do 1, Teach 1/Flickr

Ohio's favorite hiking spot transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the winter months. Frozen waterfalls, snow-covered trees, and eerie caves abound. (Pictured: The bridge over the Devil's Bathtub.) Read more about Old Man's Cave. You're sure to want to come back again and again. Bring the whole family with you to make it a special winter memory.

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2. Lake Erie

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Runner Jenny/Flickr

A frozen Lake Erie during the winter in Ohio is an unbelievably stunning sight to behold. Learn more about Lake Erie.

3. Hayden Falls (Columbus)

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Steve Grant/Flickr

This semi-secret urban waterfall is a beautiful spot to visit in the winter when it has frozen. Check out more about Hayden Falls.

4. Mill Creek Park (Youngstown)

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Mike/Flickr

Youngstown is home to the second largest metropark in the U.S. (after Central Park in New York City), and it's unbelievably gorgeous in the winter. See more about Youngstown.

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5. Ohio Amish Country

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rlmccutchan/Flickr

Ohio's Amish Country is still a heartwarming sight to behold, even during the cold winter months. (Pictured: Mt. Hope.) Find out more about Amish Country.

6. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve (Yellow Springs)

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Ted/Flickr

This beloved gorge is unbelievably beautiful in the winter. Observe frozen falls, unique rock formations and stunning snow-covered trees along this favorite hiking trail. You won't find views like this just anywhere. Read more about Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve.

7. Salt Fork State Park

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Salt Fork State Park Lodge/Facebook

One of Ohio's largest state parks in Guernsey County, Salt Fork State Park, looks magical in the wintertime. Learn more about Salt Fork State Park, one of the most beautiful places in Ohio.

8. Five Rivers MetroParks (Dayton)

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THX0477/Flickr

Pictured is a frozen Patty Falls at Englewood MetroPark. Check out more about the Five Rivers MetroParks.

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9. Cascade Park (Elyria)

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Heather Durdil/Flickr

Within the Lorain County Metro Parks, you'll find this beautiful park. Pictured is a half-frozen East Falls. This majestic waterfall will captivate you and make you and your group stop and stare! See more about Cascade Park.

10. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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Joanne/Flickr

Ohio's own national park is also breathtakingly beautiful during the winter months. If you're wondering about things to do in Ohio in winter, you will find no shortage of activities to enjoy at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

11. Rocky River Valley (Cleveland Metroparks)

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Runner Jenny/Flickr

Even in the valleys and low points, winter in Ohio is still beautiful. Read more about Rocky River Valley.

12. Marblehead Lighthouse (Marblehead)

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Michelle/Flickr

This beloved lighthouse on the shores of Lake Erie is just as captivating in Ohio winters with frozen waves as it is in summers with crashing waves. Learn more about Marblehead Lighthouse.

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13. John Bryan State Park

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Ted/Flickr

Explore Clifton Gorge and other areas of this beautiful state park in the winter for a magical winter wonderland hiking experience. find out more about John Bryan State Park.

Do you have a favorite one of these lovely places to enjoy in the cold months? What other beautiful places in Ohio are there that are especially stunning in the winter? Share your experiences and favorite spots to enjoy with us in the comments below!

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Nature|National & State Parks

Hike Hocking Hills’ “Best in the U.S.” Trail in Ohio for an Unforgettable Adventure

Whispering Cave in Ohio's Hocking Hills region has been recognized as the best hike in the U.S.

Published Oct 16, 2024

Written by 

Nikki Rhoades

My out-of-state friends have teasingly asked, "Why would I want to go to Ohio?" And, boy, do I have a whole list of reasons to visit Ohio! For my more nature-oriented friends, I just have two words: Hocking Hills. While many use the term to refer to Hocking Hills State Park, the entire Hocking Hills region is covered in magnificent structures. And, lately, it's been getting the national recognition it deserves.

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Earlier this year, USA Today rated its Whispering Cave hike the best in the U.S. While it's one of many incredible features in the state park, it's absolutely deserving of this recognition. AllTrails has a map to Whispering Cave that's perfect for planning an in-person visit, but in the meantime, let's take a virtual visit to this magnificent Ohio landmark.

A view from Whispering Cave in Ohio, facing out into a rich green forest broken only by a sun flare.
Korban Reiter/AllTrails

If you haven't heard of Whispering Cave, you're not alone! This trail only opened in 2017, and it's still something of a hidden gem... the long-standing and more popular attractions in the region simply beat it out in the average conversation. But once you experience it, you'll know why in-the-know hikers love it so much. With a 300 foot wide recess cave that overlooks a richly forested landscape, stepping inside it is like stepping into a fairytale world.

If the massive cave isn't enough to wow you, a trickle of water that's over 100 feet tall just might do the trick. Like the rest of the Hocking Hills region, Blackhand Sandstone makes up this magnificently massive cave, and its waterfall is seasonal and best observed after a decent rain.

A soft, trickling stream of water falls from the top of Whispering Cave in Hocking Hills, Ohio.
M Fandango/AllTrails

If you're heading out into Hocking Hills, you should expect something of an arduous hike. The landscape here is anything but flat, and many of the trails are rather wild. Wear reliable hiking boots and bring a buddy, and since cell phone serve is spotty in the region, make sure you bring everything you might need. To get to Whispering Cave, you'll take Hemlock Bridge Trail until it forks at the 0.6-mile mark. From there, Whispering Cave Trail will take you another 0.2 miles to your destination. After you take in the splendor of this "best in the U.S." trail, head back toward Hemlock Bridge Trail. This route can take you to Cedar Falls and Old Man's Cave, two magnificent spots that belong on any nature lover's bucket list.

The overhanging cliff above Whispering Cave is truly a sight to behold, and it creates a veil between your private view and the rest of the state park that feels intimate. As this is one of the newer hikes in the park, you might just have the place all to yourself while less-informed hikers hit up the massively popular local landmarks. If that's the case, absolutely take the time to soak up the views. Whispering Cave serves up a dose of pure majesty.

Looking out into a green forest from Whispering Cave in Hocking Hills, Ohio.
Chad Lewis/AllTrails

This unique hike in Ohio isn't for the faint of heart, as changing elevations and rocky terrain make it a bit of a challenge. Nevertheless, it's an incredible hiking spot that every nature lover should experience at least once. Whether you're a native Ohioan or an out-of-towner stopping by to experience the best of The Buckeye State, you're in for an absolute treat at Whispering Cave.

After your hike, you'll probably work up an appetite. Capt. Ron's Pirate Pizza is the perfect addition to your itinerary, and its customizable pizzas are piled high with toppings to help you fuel up for another day of hiking.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park in Ohio That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Lake Logan is a state park in Ohio near Hocking Hills. Overflowing with stunning views and small town charms, it's well worth a visit.

Published Sep 3, 2024

Written by 

Nikki Rhoades

Hocking County is a stunning region in Ohio, primarily known for Hocking Hills State Park. While this state park in Ohio is gorgeous, it's not the only one in Hocking County that belongs on your bucket list. Heck, it's not even the only state park in Logan, Ohio! Today, we're going to take a virtual visit to Lake Logan State Park, an underrated attraction in one of Ohio's most memorable small towns.

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With just over 7,000 residents across a five square mile space, Logan is a community that will instantly feel airy and open. The population density is about 1,523 people per square mile — for contrast, Cleveland has a density of 4,793 people per square mile. Compared to even metropolitan suburbs in Ohio, you'll find that live just moves at a slower pace in Logan.

This area, believe it or not, is something of a musical haven. Logan is home to one of the only remaining washboard manufacturing companies in the nation, and their annual Washboard Music Festival in June is a weird and wonderful nod to this strange claim to fame. In July, the Diamond Music Festival takes place on the banks of Lake Logan.

Interestingly, Lake Logan is a man-made feature in a nature-rich region. By damming a tributary of the Hocking River in 1955, Lake Logan was intentionally crafted for recreational enjoyment. While it was originally known as Hocking Lake, it has since been renamed to avoid confusion with the more-famous state park in town.

Fall foliage on the shore of Lake Logan in Ohio's Lake Logan State Park.
John Hudson Photography/Moment via Getty Images

Today, the 400-acre lake is the crown jewel of Lake Logan State Park. People flock here for fishing, boating, and swimming, but there's a great deal of nature-based activities that make the park special. A stretch of the Buckeye Trail runs through the park, and the one-mile Pine Vista Hiking Trail circles a hilltop and provides a stunning vantage point for visitors.

Birding is also a popular activity at the lake. As with any body of water, visitors can expect to encounter waterfowl like ducks, geese, and heron. With gorgeous wooded trails, a wide variety of birds — from songbirds to raptors — can be seen. As the sun bleeds into the horizon, owls are also a common sight here.

While swimming is one of the best summertime activities in the park, there's something special here throughout each and every season. As fall arrives, gorgeous and rich foliage erupts around the lake, and its reflection in the rippling water is like a nature-made watercolor painting. Once snow blankets the region, sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing are popular features in the park. And, of course, come spring, watching flowers bloom around the lake is a treat like no other.

A bench on the edge of Lake Logan in Ohio surrounded by golden-orange fall foliage.
John Hudson Photography/Moment via Getty Images

No matter which season you visit in, you're going to love Lake Logan State Park. It's a gorgeous place to picnic and reflect, especially when autumn leaves are painting the local landscape in warm shades of rust. Plus, its proximity to Hocking Hills State Park makes it an excellent place to unplug and take it easy after knocking out some more demanding hikes.

This state park in Ohio is absolutely breathtaking, and it's open to visitors all year-round. With 318 acres of land and 400 acres of water to explore, its landscape is easily memorable, and it's a brilliant escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

Want to make the most of your visit to Logan, Ohio? Be sure to check out our list of cozy attractions in the area. From welcoming cabins to wine nights, you'll love settling into this pretty region in The Buckeye State.

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