What to Pack for an Ohio Day Hike: A Tested Gear Checklist
A practical day-hike gear checklist for Ohio trails — boots, water, layers, and the safety items that matter, with no overpacking.
Ryan Jordan
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Ryan Jordan
Summer Hiking in Ohio: Heat, Humidity, Ticks, and Staying Safe
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.
Ryan Jordan
Leo Petroglyph and Nature Preserve: Ancient Carvings and a Gorge
Visit Leo Petroglyph and Nature Preserve in Jackson County, Ohio: 37 ancient Fort Ancient carvings and a short, rugged hemlock-gorge trail.
Ryan Jordan
Charleston Falls Preserve: Ohio's Miniature Niagara Hike
A trail guide to Charleston Falls Preserve near Tipp City, Ohio — the 37-foot Miniature Niagara waterfall, grotto cave, and four miles of loops.
Ryan Jordan
Glen Helen Nature Preserve: Yellow Springs' Gorge and Cascades
Hiking Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs, Ohio: the Cascades waterfall, the Yellow Spring, limestone gorge trails, and 400-year-old trees.
Ryan Jordan
Shawnee State Park: Ohio's Little Smokies Hiking Guide
Shawnee State Park near Portsmouth, Ohio's Little Smokies: Appalachian ridge hikes, two swimming lakes, and the toughest backpacking trail in the state.
Ryan Jordan
Hueston Woods State Park: Old-Growth & Fossil Trail Guide
Hueston Woods State Park near Oxford: old-growth forest, 450-million-year-old fossils you can keep, Acton Lake, and 40-plus miles of trails. Full guide.
Ryan Jordan
Prairie Oaks Metro Park: Trails, Lakes & Dog Beach Guide
Prairie Oaks Metro Park near West Jefferson: 16 miles of easy trails, a dog swim beach, kayaking on Big Darby Creek, and 500 acres of Ohio prairie.
Ryan Jordan
I Got a Free Year of Komoot. Here's My Honest First Take as an Ohio Hiker.
A free year of komoot Premium, an honest first take from an Ohio hiker: where its trail planning beats Google Maps, and why its 2025 ownership shake-up makes me cautious.
Ryan Jordan
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kid-friendly
Kid-Friendly Ohio Hikes: 10 Trails Your Family Will Love
The 10 best kid-friendly hiking trails in Ohio — playgrounds, nature centers, farm visits, creek access, and Junior Ranger programs. Easy trails tested with actual kids. Tips for family hiking.
Ryan Jordan
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Best Fall Hikes in Ohio: 10 Trails for Peak Foliage
The 10 best fall hikes in Ohio — gorge foliage, ridgetop panoramas, Lake Erie migration, and deep-forest color. When to go, where to go, and how to time peak foliage across the state.
Ryan Jordan
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dog-friendly
Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Ohio: 10 Tested Favorites
The 10 best dog-friendly hiking trails in Ohio — tested with an actual dog. Metro parks, state parks, river trails, and lake shores. Leash rules, water access, and tips for hiking with your pup.
Ryan Jordan