Hiking During Ohio Hunting Season: 2026-27 Dates and Safety
Ohio's deer seasons overlap the best hiking months. The 2026-27 dates, where hunting happens, what to wear, and where to hike during gun week.
Ohio's deer seasons overlap the best hiking months. The 2026-27 dates, where hunting happens, what to wear, and where to hike during gun week.
All 251 City of Columbus parks from A to Z in one directory, with addresses and amenities from the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
Boots or trail runners on Ohio trails? It depends on the ground, from limestone greenways to gorge climbs and metro-park mud. Here's when each one wins.
Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve in Jackson County hides two sandstone gorges, cool hemlock ravines, small waterfalls, and Ohio's rare bigleaf magnolias.
Tar Hollow State Park is one of Ohio's most remote hikes: a climbable fire tower, the 15-mile Logan Trail, and miles of quiet ridge-and-hollow forest.
Great Seal State Park near Chillicothe hides Ohio's most rugged ridge hiking. Climb Sugarloaf Mountain to the view that inspired the state seal.
Lake Hope State Park in remote Vinton County: a quiet forest lake, the 1850s Hope Furnace ruins, a ghost town, dark night skies, and legendary Ohio fall color.
Gorge Metro Park between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls: a Cuyahoga River gorge with sandstone ledges, Mary Campbell Cave, huge boulders, and a dam now being removed.
Oak Openings Preserve near Toledo: a rare oak savanna of scattered oaks, sand dunes, wild lupine, and 50-plus miles of trails including the 16-mile Scout Trail.
A guide to Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve near Columbus, Ohio — spring vernal pools, buttonbush swamps, boardwalk trails, and rare wildflowers.
A practical day-hike gear checklist for Ohio trails — boots, water, layers, and the safety items that matter, with no overpacking.
How to hike Ohio safely in summer — beating heat and humidity, avoiding ticks and poison ivy, and what to pack for hot, buggy trail days.