Family Friendly Ohio Hiking Trails

Lauren Dyas
Jun 26, 2020
10 min read

Hey pals! I'm writing this as a follow up to my Family Friendly Central Ohio Hiking Trails post. Since I initially published it in April, we've broadened our horizons and maintained an average travel time of one hour to a trail. We've attempted to hit up one per weekend, whereas at the start of Covid-19, we were going to the Metro Parks multiple times a week, as they are close enough that we could take off in the afternoon and be home in time to make dinner. So if you're looking for a fun weekend outdoorsy half-day trip with the fam, then keep reading.

I also want to add a disclaimer that for all of the parks/preserves listed below, we left our house by 7 am, which means we were typically the first people at each trail. I suggest that if you want to beat the weather, the bugs, the people and nap time, this be your mode of operation as well.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (4/5 stars)

The Ledges

This park is so large that I'm not including an address. The area of the park that we visited is "The Ledges" which is located in the Southeast area of the park (see map here). Adam and I made a trip to Cuyahoga a few years ago sans kids and hiked around the Brandywine area which is beautiful (hi waterfall!), but I'm willing to bet that it's pretty crowded up there at this point.

We went on a bitterly cold Friday morning in April, so we were the only people in the parking lot. It was windier than we anticipated, so we were only there for about 30 minutes (after a two hour car ride, oy vey). But even in that short amount of time, it was easy to see why Cuyahoga Valley is a National Park. There truly are "ledges" on this path, covered with moss and gorgeous big trees. I've never been to Ireland but I imagine that the forests there look similar. The trail was slightly more technical than what Abby would have liked, but she managed them with a good attitude and Adam carried her for the rougher stretches. Jack was a champ.

If you decide to go this summer, I highly recommend leaving the house early and remember to bring the bug spray. The only reason I took that one star off was because it's a two hour commute from Columbus. Nothing against the park. And for the fur parents out there; the entire park is pet friendly with limited restrictions.

Shameless selfie! But only because my very talented aunt knitted the hat and scarf, which have kept me warm on many of our colder hikes.

Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve (5/5 stars)

2730 Pump Station Rd SE, Lancaster, OH 43130

Do not be alarmed as you drive in and pass what appears to be a giant combustible gas plant. I've learned that these are the telltale signs that a hike is about to be lit, fam (get it? sorry). About an hour drive from our house in Worthington, this has taken the prize as my favorite hike in Ohio. The preserve is unsurprisingly named Rhododendron Cove State Nature Preserve due to the high volume of rhododendron plants. They weren't in bloom when we visited but the waxy leaves don't need flowers to be pretty when they are in such an abundance.

As you enter, you'll make your way in along a small creek. Turn left and the path quickly gets woodier. You'll hike up a few switchbacks, but nothing too narrow. This leads you into a "cove" of rhododendrons. It was a little muddy and slippery so we had to help Jack up this area and carry Abby, but once at the top,

you cannot beat the aesthetic. It's mossy, dimly lit, quiet and the perfect stopping point for a snack. As you walk farther along the path, the elevation gets a bit higher and the views of the coves get even more dramatic. I don't know if I can put into words how much I like this area so please see the [grainy] photos. And then go, you won't regret it.

Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve (4/5 stars)

2200 Gratiot Rd SE, Heath, OH 43056

Located near Rhododendron, this is another worthwhile Preserve. I don't know if you can tell but I appreciate the "Nature Preserves" a bit more than the parks. I think this because of a combination of lower popularity level (I'm such a hipster), lack of facilities and a more rustic charm. I can say though, for as much as I love a lack of facilities, I have yet to pee in the woods with success. If you have to ask for further clarification as to what that means, then you don't want to know.

We went to Blackhand Gorge right when the flora had turned green and there weren't bugs yet. It was still chilly in the morning, but once moving, we could take off the top layer and feel perfect temperature wise with mild humidity. All of these factors play into my take on each location, because I am completely unable to compartmentalize the experience. There were a fair number of runners out on the trail when we were there, but they were super friendly and I like runners because they pass you and then that's it. You don't have the awkward instances where someone stops and you pass them, and then vice versa over and over.

The location is gorgeous, and you'll hike by old oil derricks. The path runs close to a train track, which you'll see pictured. The train tracks also have a bridge over the Licking River, which was simultaneously gorgeous and fear inducing as a parent. We took a shortcut back to our car down a fire road because Abby was starting to turn into Mr. Hyde. There is, according to my own personal travel guide, Adam Dyas, a bike path nearby which I would like to visit with the family eventually.

I also discovered Wilson's Garden Center (below) on this trip and took a day off of work the following week to frolic through the perennials on my own, childless time. If you visit Blackhand Gorge, stop by Wilson's and treat yourself to a new houseplant or addition to the garden!

Overalls and masks are essentials for Covid-19 gardening. Also, FYI these flowers are all thriving a few months later!

Caeser Creek State Park (3/5 stars)

8570 OH-73, Waynesville, OH 45068

My family used to camp at Caeser Creek as a kid and my main associations with those trips are a lack of trees on the campgrounds and our dog being sprayed by a skunk which then resulted in a tomato juice bath. Caeser Creek redeemed itself during the Dyas family visit though. Jack was in Michigan at my dad and step-mom's lake house for Memorial Day weekend when we took our one-hour and fifteen minute drive to the park. Abby was on her best behavior which always makes for a fun day; she managed to walk most of the two-ish mile trail.

Our destination was Horseshoe Falls and it was completely worth the trip. I would like to note that it was a bit too densely populated in my opinion, which takes it down two full stars. There was a family who decided to fish, literally in the falls, so any photo ops were out of the question. We did get to play in the creek which butts up to a large limestone studded wall where we skipped rocks. Plus, we go for the memories not the pictures, RIGHT? Right.

My dear friend, Chelsea Schaefer, avid hiker of all Ohio trails, gave Caeser Creek high remarks before we went and mentioned the Caeser Creek Swinging Bridge. We didn't make it to the bridge during this visit. Eventually we will go back, this time with Jack so he gets to enjoy the scenery as well.

Rockbridge Nature Preserve (4/5 stars)

Logan, OH 43138

If there is one takeaway from this visit, it is always remember bug spray. We went on an early Saturday morning, and it was already humid. The entrance to the park is a somewhat wide grassy path and turns into boardwalks, which is between dense woods and some rolling hills (pictured below). I didn't anticipate the swarm of mosquitoes that would apprehend us as we entered the wooded area. There were so many that we were all in a foul mood and Abby, being three, was especially difficult that day.

Having said that, you should go! No, really. It's beautiful. If you come prepared with your bug repellent of choice, and don't bring a whiny three year old, you will love it. The trail starts as a descent as you enter the woods and not too far in, you reach the rock bridge. Whoever named these preserves was either lacking in creativity or time; that's not to say I don't love a simple name (look at the title of my blog). The area was moderately populated at the time we visited, but everyone was very respectful of social distancing. That or they avoided both distance and eye contact with us because Jack and I covered ourselves in mud Bear Grylls style to stave off the mosquito army. You be the judge.

Mohican State Park (5/5 stars)

3116 OH-3, Loudonville, OH 44842

This is more a story than a review. Mohican is on my previous list and I recommend any and everyone visit if you live in Ohio. But are you comfortable? Good. This is a doozy.

We decided it was time for our first foray into a backpacking and camping trip as a family. Adam and I carried supplies for four people (one of whom isn't potty trained and still needs diapers hauled around) for a mile hike into our very secluded camping spot. Jack did amazing and he is really showing perseverance and grit after all of these trips. He's taken what was a negative self-talk attitude at the beginning of the summer and turned it into a growth mindset, "I can do it" mentality. We are proud. I digress. We made it into camp after hiking past a few horseback riders on the trail which was really fun for the kids, and Adam set up camp. The kids and I set out to find firewood, at which point Abby decided she was going to show us once again, that she is a three year old. After much whining and clawing for me to pick her up as I was carrying a bundle of sticks, we got her to sit down and stuck the iPad in front of her. #sorrynotsorry. Jack and I continued looking for firewood at which point we crossed paths with a black rat snake. Jack was freaked out but we started the fire and all was good.

We all ate our freeze dried dinners, had a few s'mores and decided it was time for Abby to turn in. She and I were sharing a tent which I honestly didn't put much thought into. I got her into her sleeping bag, told her to go to sleep and went back out to hang out with Adam and Jack. Jack decided to turn in then too. An hour went by where Adam and I took turns telling Abby to GO THE F TO SLEEP. She didn't. If you don't know what sleeping bag material sounds like swishing around in the quiet woods, then use this video at :17 seconds to imagine. I decided to call it a night at 8 pm and I went into the girl's tent to try to get Abigail to calm down. She didn't. We probably both fell asleep around 10 (Abby goes to bed at 6:30 pm at home and I go to bed between 8-9 pm; I was unhappy). Needless to say I was feeling like this was a total bust. Well, about 30 minutes after falling asleep the rain started. My phone was charged to 10% with a not great signal but I still managed to get a look at the radar. Surprise thunderstorms until 11 am the next day. I started panicking and then managed to tell myself to let it go, I can't control the weather. I fell back asleep until about 2 am when it really started pouring. Abby woke up and we were both up for about another hour. 5 am rolled around and I heard Adam packing up. He managed to create a makeshift canopy that the kids and I could hang out under so I could shovel Cliff bars into them as the rain poured down and he efficiently packed up. Adam took a look at the radar and gathered we'd get a twenty minute break in the rain, at which point the kids and I would QUICKLY hike back to the car and Adam would finish breaking everything down and meet us later.

Jack was a five year old badass and carried his backpack, hiking through the muddy rain, the whole time saying "we're almost there! We can do it!" Abby however, decided to really lose her mind. She was bawling, refusing to walk, clinging to my face as I carried the 30 lbs. of weight on my back plus 30 lbs. of her on my front. If you want to know what motherhood is like, visualize that image for a physical representation. Adam ended up catching up with us with a large majority of our supplies on his back. The man is indestructible and a power house when it comes to endurance, I am continuously in awe of his capabilities.

I went camping every summer as a kid, but my parents were the pop-up camper types rather than backpacking and tents. I'm learning now how different camping with a pop-up camper and a tent are, but the sentiment is the same; get away from the hustle and grind, slow down, and appreciate your surroundings. Growing up with parents who prioritized visiting new places and living more "simply" for a few days has definitely created a fish in water feeling for me when I enter into these parks and preserves. I've learned a lot about my comfort levels this summer and I hope my kids have as well. My hope is to continue developing a love of the outdoors and learning to get comfortable with the uncomfortable in Jack and Abby.

If you are hoping to instill the same values in your kids (or even yourself!) I recommend visiting some of these places and more. Click here for a map of Ohio State Nature Preserves and venture to the preserve nearest you if you're unsure of where to go first. I hope my list has helped or at the very least entertained you for ten minutes. Please feel free to reach out to me if you make it to any of these areas; I had a number of people text/message/tag me about my previous post and I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that sharing our experiences as a family has encouraged others to get outside.