Compiling a list of the best nature spots in Ohio is a daunting task - if you ask us, the entire Buckeye State is a natural wonder! However, there are some natural attractions in Ohio that simply must be seen. You know the type of spots: those bucket list-worthy destinations that are worth traveling from across the state, or even across the country, to witness in person. We've done our best to gather up a list of must-see nature in Ohio that every Buckeye State resident should make a point to see during their lifetimes. Check it out, and see how many you've had the good fortune of seeing in person:
Best Gorges & Canyons In Ohio
While Ohio may not exactly have as many amazing, internationally known canyons as some of the states in the American Southwest (Grand Canyon, anyone?), we certainly have plenty of our own impressive gorges here - and, if you can excuse the pun, they are quite gorgeous! Here are a few of the best canyons in Ohio that are worthy of a road trip:
1. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
Location: Yellow Springs
Wow Factor: This is one of the most incredible areas for hiking in Ohio. It's near several other parks and perfect for an afternoon spent out in nature.
Cost: Free
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is one of the best places to admire natural beauty in Ohio. This place has miles of hiking trails with moderate difficulty. Honestly, we think this is one of the most beautiful places in America and it definitely deserves more love.
2. Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve
Location: Heath
Wow Factor: This place is not only filled with natural beauty, it's also got thousands of years of fascinating history.
Cost: Free
Another of the most amazing nature preserves in the state of Ohio is the Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve. There is a four-mile long sandstone formation here cut in half by the Licking River. The gorge played a key role in many American legends and was also an important railroad route and a waypoint for the Ohio and Erie Canal.
3. Mad River Gorge and Nature Preserve
Location: Springfield
Wow Factor: The dolomite cliffs here are 50 feet high in some spots!
Cost: Free
This place is absolutely magnificent and something of a hidden gem. This area was once known as Springfield Gorge, but opened up as a rock-climbing park in 2017. The park's 91 acres are comprised of trails and plenty of beauty that's perfect to visit at any time of year. Learn more from the Clark County Park District website.
Best Caves In Ohio
There's something so magical about a cave that fills you with childlike wonder. Whether it's a subterranean cavern that goes deep underground or an above-ground monolith, it's hard not to feel a sense of awe and wonder when you see a cave and wonder just how deep the lair goes. We have a number of fascinating caverns and caves in Ohio that are worthy of a visit. Here are a few of the best:
4. Ash Cave
Location: South Bloomingville
Wow Factor: This easy trail is pretty great - not only can you see a cave, you can also walk behind a waterfall!
Cost: Free
The Ash Cave Trail is one of many hikes you can take at the magnificent Hocking Hills State Park. However, this one is more unique than most in that it features both a cave and a waterfall you can walk behind. The ledges here feature narrow trickles of water with enough space behind them to explore, and it's quite the magical experience.
5. Ohio Caverns
Location: West Liberty
Wow Factor: These caverns are something of a hidden gem, but it's no exaggeration at all to say they just might be the most beautiful caves in America.
Cost: $24-36
There are a number of guided tours that will allow you to explore the magnificent Ohio Caverns, which are so colorful that they don't even look real.The caverns have a variety of rooms with names like the "Crystal King" and the "Jewel Room," and the ecosystem here is absolutely jaw-dropping. The cavern’s rooms are filled with colorful stalactites and stalagmites that will make you feel like you entered another world. Purchase tickets and get more information from the Ohio Caverns website.
6. Rock House
Location: Logan
Wow Factor: There's a reason this place is one of the most popular hiking destinations at Hocking Hills State Park!
Cost: Free
A visit to Hocking Hills State Park shows off some of the coolest rock formations in Ohio, and the Rock House definitely belongs on everyone's list of must-see sights within the park. This is the longest natural arch in Ohio, and the main passageway here measures 200 feet long. It's technically the only true cave within the state park.
Best Waterfalls In Ohio
When many people think of natural wonders in Ohio, their minds immediately go to waterfalls. We certainly have a myriad of waterfalls in Ohio. These spots are amazing to visit at any time of year. Seeing those roaring cascades fall down a cliff side is like watching Mother Nature paint a masterpiece right in front of you.
7. Great Falls of Tinker Creek
Location: Bedford
Wow Factor: This is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the state, and it's definitely worth a visit if you live in the Cleveland area.
Cost: Free
It can be rare for large urban areas to have many natural wonders, but thanks to the work of the Cleveland Metroparks, you'll find plenty of amazing natural attractions near Cleveland. The city and its suburbs have some beautiful waterfalls, and one of the prettiest is Viaduct Park's Great Falls at Tinker Creek. This area has a rich history and there are informative signs all along the trails that will give you more information about the site.
8. Brandywine Falls
Location: Sagamore Hills
Wow Factor: There's so much to see at Cuyahoga Valley National Park - it is a national park, after all! However, you'll definitely want to make sure to take a peek at Brandywine Falls when you're in the area.
Cost: Free
The trail that leads to Brandywine Falls is one of our favorite easy trails in Ohio. There are even two boardwalk platforms from which you can get better views - and you can reach those by car. Brandywine Falls drops 65 feet down into the valley below and it's such an amazing sight.
9. Chagrin Falls
Location: Chagrin Falls
Wow Factor: This massive waterfall once powered nine mills!
Cost: Free
" target="_blank">Chagrin Falls is another magnificent urban waterfall that's just outside of Cleveland. There are stairs if you'd like to get a look at the lower level, or you can walk across the nearby bridge for a great view. The charming small town that shares the waterfall's name is the perfect spot for a day or weekend getaway from Cleveland, with plenty of boutique shops and delicious restaurants to check out.
Best Overlooks & Scenic Vistas In Ohio
Of course, with all these amazing nature places in Ohio, it stands to reason that there are also tons of great overlooks from which to view them! Sometimes, these scenic vistas are as easily-accessed as simply pulling off a roadside, while others may take a bit of a strenuous hike to reach. Here are some of the best overlooks in Ohio:
10. Ledges Overlook
Location: near Akron and Cleveland
Wow Factor: This is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Ohio, and you'll be rewarded with one of the state's most incredible views.
Cost: Free
Like we said above, there are so many amazing sights to see in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but if you're planning on checking out any of the park's miles of trails, you won't want to miss the
" target="_blank">Ledges Trail. We could've just as easily put this in the "rock formations" section, because when you explore this trail, you'll be surrounded by ancient rocks shaped by prehistoric oceans. Once you reach the trail's summit, you'll be met with an amazing view where you can admire the land below you for miles and miles.
11. Mount Jeez
Location: Lucas
Wow Factor: This is one of the tallest peaks in Ohio, and has some of the prettiest views in the central part of the state.
Cost: Free
" target="_blank">Mount Jeez is the high point of Malabar Farm State Park, the beautiful park that was once the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield. The entire park is gorgeous, but this 1,310-foot peak offers some particularly grand views in every direction.
12. Buzzard's Roost Nature Preserve
Location: Chillicothe
Wow Factor: This 1,200-acre park has more than five miles of hiking trails, and the view from Buzzard's Roost is quite astounding.
Cost: Free
" target="_blank">Buzzard's Roost Nature Preserve is the perfect spot for a picnic after a hike. The cliffs here are made of sandstone and shale and provide great surroundings as you explore the trails here.
Best Rock Formations In Ohio
Some of my favorite natural attractions in Ohio are our magnificent rock formations. It's absolutely awe-inspiring to see a giant rock that has been molded by erosion or water over the years. Nothing makes me feel more small and yet also so enamored with nature. Check out these great rock formations in Ohio:
13. Old Man's Cave
Location: Logan
Wow Factor: This is one of the most-photographed places in Ohio and it's definitely worth a visit.
Cost: Free
There is a lot to see at Hocking Hills State Park, and
" target="_blank">Old Man's Cave is certainly among the most impressive sights here. It's an easy hike to reach this epic rock formation, which gets its name from a hermit who once lived in the woods here.
14. Cantwell Cliffs
Location: Rockbridge
Wow Factor: This is in a remote area of Hocking Hills State Park, and the arduous hike is definitely worth the effort once you admire this amazing scenery.
Cost: Free
" target="_blank">Cantwell Cliffs hike is deceptively challenging, though it's only about a mile in length. There are quite a few stairs along the hike, but you'll get to enjoy some pretty spectacular cliffs that have eroded over thousands of years. The views make it more than worth the work you'll put in along the way.
Unique Natural Wonders In Ohio
Sometimes, the best nature in Ohio doesn't fit into an easy category like "waterfalls" or "caves." We're a unique state, and some of our natural wonders are just as unique as everything else here! These two natural attractions in Ohio may not be easily-categorized, but that doesn't mean they're not worth a visit:
15. Glacial Grooves
Location: Kelleys Island
Wow Factor: These are the largest glacial grooves in the entire world, making them among the most unique attractions in Ohio.
Cost: Free
" target="_blank">Glacial Grooves are truly one of a kind. Kelleys Island is a little island in Lake Erie that's home to a village of the same name. It's home to these remarkable grooves, which are unique formations formed over the years by slow-moving glaciers that once flowed through the area like a river. The glacial grooves at Kelleys Island are 400 feet long and 15 feet deep, making them the largest of their kind in the world.
16. The Great Serpent Mound
Location: Peebles
Wow Factor: This is a truly unique attraction that has a number of fascinating attributes: it's at the site of a meteor crater, and it's home to a massive Native American effigy.
Cost: $8 per vehicle, museum is closed in January and February
Now, you might've seen this entry on the list and thought "That's not a natural wonder!" - and, well, you're halfway right. The main attraction here is the giant snake-shape effigy built by ancient Native Americans. It's the largest effigy mound in all of North America, which makes it pretty spectacular, even though it's man-made and doesn't belong on this list for that reason. However, it just so happens that the mound is located right at the impact site of a meteor impact. The meteor struck the earth about 300 million years ago, and the crater there is about 5 miles wide. While this isn't strictly a 100% natural wonder, we think it belongs on the list for its uniqueness .
Wow! How many of these amazing natural wonders in Ohio have you seen in person? Are there any we didn't put on the list that you think are worthy of a spot? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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