STATE PARKS
Ashtabula County
Geneva State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/geneva)
Pymatuning State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/pymatuning)
Lake County
Headlands Beach State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/headlandsbeach)
Geauga County
Punderson State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/punderson)
Trumbull County
Mosquito Lake State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/mosquitolake)
Mahoning County
Lake Milton State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/lakemilton)
Columbiana County
Beaver Creek State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/beavercreek)
Guilford Lake State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/guilfordlake)
Jefferson County
Jefferson Lake State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/jeffersonlake)
Portage County
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/nelsonkennedyledges)
Wingfoot Lake State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/wingfootlake)
Tinker's Creek State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/tinkerscreek)
West Branch State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/westbranch)
Stark County
Quail Hollow State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/quailhollow)
Summit County
Portage Lakes State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/portagelakes)
Lorain County
Findley Lake State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/findley)
Ashland County
Mohican State Park (parks.ohiodnr.gov/mohican)
Though the most densely developed region of the state, the northeast boasts plenty of places for outdoor play — including the state’s only national park and a collection of outstanding county parks as well as some of the premier sites in the state-park system.
Seventeen state parks in the area offer a wide range of attractions, from beaches and waterfalls to an 85-year-old Tudor lodge.
A few favorites:
Mohican State Park in Ashland County is considered one of the state's most popular — thanks to the stunning scenery, including the gorgeous Clear Fork gorge, scattered throughout its 1,110 acres. The Clear Fork ranks among the state's most popular spots for canoeing — or staying on land and trekking on the 2-mile-long Lyons Falls Trail, one of the loveliest hikes in all of Ohio. Other reasons to visit: 8 miles of mountain-bike trails (with more in the surrounding Mohican State Forest) and the lovely Mohican Lodge, with 96 rooms overlooking Pleasant Hill Lake.
This year, Mohican is set to receive $5 million in upgrades as part of $88.5 million that the state allocated last year for park improvements. First up: additional full-service sites in the 186-site campground. Later this year and next, the expectations include improvements to the campground pool, renovations to the cottages and a new nature center.
Information: 419-994-5125 or parks.ohiodnr.gov/mohican
Headlands Beach State Park in Lake County promises the largest stretch of sand in Ohio — a mile-long span perfect for castle-building, beach-walking, sunbathing or all three. As a day-use park, it doesn't have overnight facilities. What visitors do find: a handful of hiking trails, a concession stand open seasonally, a break wall suited to fishing — and tons and tons of sand.
Information: 440-466-8400 or parks.ohiodnr.gov/headlandsbeach
Dangling an overnight stay with a lake view, Geneva State Park in Ashtabula County claims the newest Ohio state-park lodge — which was opened in 2004. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake has 109 rooms — almost all with views of Lake Erie — plus bike rentals, outdoor dining, shuttles to nearby wineries and more. The amenities include a 100-site campground, 12 cabins, hiking trails, a boat ramp and a 300-foot sandy beach.
Information: 440-466-8400 or parks.ohiodnr.gov/geneva
Known as the centerpiece of Punderson State Park in Geauga County is the 29-room Tudor-style manor house, started in 1929 (but not finished until the late 1940s). The lodge was recently closed for two months to allow updates in the electric and ventilation systems, as part of $6.2 million in planned improvements to the park. Other coming enhancements include an extension of the boardwalk to the cabin area (instead of from the lodge to just the western bank of Punderson Lake), a restroom near the disc-golf course and a new towrope for the sledding hill. In addition to a range of warm-weather activities, Punderson provides a popular spot for winter lovers with a lighted sledding hill, plus miles of trails for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.
Information: 440-564-2279 or parks.ohiodnr.gov/punderson
Northeast Ohio is also home to a few off-the-radar parks worth a look. Among them:
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, which packs a punch at its compact 167 acres in Portage County. Hiking trails are lined with spectacular rock formations left behind by receding glaciers. Children, of course, should be kept under close supervision.
Information: 440-564-2279 or parks.ohiodnr.gov/nelsonkennedyledges
Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana County has at its heart Little Beaver Creek, a state and national wild and scenic river. The park offers hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and horseback riding. Also on-site: Pioneer Village, with the 1830s-era Gaston's Mill — plus remnants of the Sandy and Beaver Canal, a spur of the Ohio & Erie Canal.
Information: 330-385-3091 or parks.ohiodnr.gov/beavercreek
At the recreational center of the small Findley State Park, just south of Wellington in Lorain County, lies the 93-acre Findley Lake, with swimming, boating and fishing. Also there: a 270-site campground; an 18-hole disc-golf course; and a newly renovated nature center, which should reopen this spring after it was closed several years ago because of fire damage.
Information: 440-647-5749 or parks.ohiodnr.gov/findley
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