National Parks within driving distance

Within driving distance of any major Ohio city are giant sand dunes to be scaled. Turquoise lake waters framed by towering cliffs and plunging waterfalls to be explored. Narrow cave passages barely bigger than a man’s torso to be squeezed through. Mountain peaks to be scrambled and summited and sat upon, sweaty and exhilarated, with a backpacked lunch while enjoying 360 degree views – the best kind of picnic.

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Adventure surrounds Ohio in the form of many National Parks and Lakeshores. Many of these parks are well under a half day’s drive away. Some of them are longer, but can be combined with other parks on the list for a longer road trip if long distance drives in the car isn’t your thing.

So here they are: Nine national parks and lakeshores drivable from Ohio.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Ohio

From Akron: 15 minutes

From Columbus: 1 hour, 55 minutes

From Cincinnati: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Gorgeous, towering waterfalls, ledges and deep forest treks can be found in Ohio’s only national park, nestled between Cleveland and Akron.

About 100 waterfalls lie within the park’s borders, and they’ve been ranked among the best in the US. That’s a daunting number to see in just one visit, so here are some of the most spectacular falls in the park:

Brandywine Falls is not only the tallest in the park at 65 feet, it’s the tallest in Northeast Ohio. This spectacular site is also one of the most popular in the park, so beginning the 1.5 mile trek early in the morning or late in the day is advised to avoid the crowds.

You can also avoid the busy Brandywine Falls parking lot, which is closed until Sept. 30, 2022, and enjoy a longer walk of 3.3 to 5.7 miles, miles roundtrip, depending on the trailhead you choose. Here’s how to do it.

Avoid the crowds and closures, and check out the much smaller but just as picturesque Blue Hen Falls, a hilly (580-foot change in elevation- a lot for Ohio!) 3-mile round trip walk that can be started at Boston Mill Visitor Center on the rugged Buckeye Trail. Plenty of info can be found here. See two waterfalls in one via the Buttermilk Falls via Blue Hen trail, a 3.9 out and back trail. The trailhead is at the Boston Mill Visitor Center via the Buckeye Trail Trailhead.

Skip the waterfalls altogether and hike the Ledges Trail, a path which meanders through towering rock formations. More than 125 miles of hiking trails lie within the park.

Where to stay: There are several campgrounds nearby, and standard chain lodging can be found off the interstates surrounding the park. Cleveland is just under 30 minutes from the park, and Akron is about 15 minutes away.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

West Virginia

From Akron: 4 hours, 53 minutes

From Columbus: 4 hours, 20 minutes

From Cincinnati: 5 hours, 3 minutes

With its newly minted status as a National Park, highlighter ink has been drawn over this gorgeous region of steeply sloping canyons descending into river.

Possibly the park’s most famous landmark is the New River Gorge Bridge, the longest steel bridge in the Western Hemisphere. If you head to the park the third October for Bridge Day, the bridge is open for a big party. Pedestrians, vendors, BASE jumpers and rappelers line the bridge for a day of festivities.

Another dramatic site: Grandview, which looks over a horseshoe bend in the New River from 1,400 feet. It makes for a spectacular picnic spot, and with five trailheads, a perfect jump-off point for a day of hiking the Grandview Area Trails, which offer 6 miles of hiking and the best views in the park.

The Fayetteville Area Trails have some beautiful views, or take an easy .2 miles stroll to the cascading Sandstone Falls on the New River.

The region is also widely known for its excellent whitewater rafting opportunities on New River and Gauley River. There’s plenty of rafting companies to choose from right near the park.

Where to stay: The nearby town of Fayetteville has lodging options, as well as shopping and dining. Plenty of cabins are available to rent near the park, too. For something more adventurous, there are a few treehouses for rent in the area.

Bonus: If your trip takes you through the state capitol of Charleston, just under two hours northwest of the park, it’s a pretty little town worth exploring. Nestled on the banks of the Kanawha River, impressive historic homes line the water, and Historic Capitol Street has boutiques, restaurants and tree-lined streets.

Shenandoah National Park

Virginia

From Akron: 5 hours, 23 minutes

From Columbus: 6 hours, 5 minutes

From Cincinnati: 6 hours, 51 minutes

Ohio adventurers looking for mountains within driving distance and to who want to skip the manic, touristy atmosphere surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains might want to consider Shenandoah National Park.

This patch of the Blue Ridge Mountains is also flowing with waterfalls and stunning views. The Skyline Drive alone is a full day adventure at 105 miles long and with 75 overlooks as it winds along on the peaks of the range. The drive gets especially showy in the fall, when the mountains come alive in autumn color.

And hikers rejoice: there’s more than 500 miles of trails in this park to choose from.

For a challenge: the 9.5-mile Old Rag Mountain Loop Trail, touted repeatedly on AllTrails as worth the hype and “brutally awesome,” get ready to scramble rocks, but bask in 360-degree views.

Blackrock Summit is much milder, with a 1-mile circuit and more gorgeous views. Or try Bearfence Rock Scramble, still a rock scramble but much shorter that ends in more 260 degree views. noticing a pattern with this park and the number 360?

If waterfalls are more your speed, there are many trails that lead to some beautiful cascades, ranging from the 6.5 mile hike to Browns Gap to the 1.3 mile walk to Lands Run Falls.

Where to stay: There’s camping near the park, but not much else. If you’re in to more comfy accommodations, Harrisonburg lies 30 miles west, and Charlottesville is south of the park. Some bed and breakfasts and a couple chain inns occupy the little town of Luray, which is just under 10 miles from the park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tennessee/North Carolina

From Akron: 7 hours, 52 minutes

From Columbus: 6 hours, 15 minutes

From Cincinnati: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Probably the most popular, touristy and most crowded park on the list, the Great Smoky Mountains, this is a highly customizable trip. Make it a foodie trip, with the myriad of restaurants in the area (the Pancake Pantry is my go-to. It hasn’t changed since I was a kid). Go moonshine and wine sampling at the many stops along the Gatlinburg strip. Play at arcades and go kart tracks, aquariums and silly museums in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Or get away from the crowds as quickly as possible and into the peaceful mountains that seem worlds away from the touristy stuff.

There are countless great trails in the area. For the more adventurous, the hike to the top of Mount Le Conte is iconic, and you can stay in the highest lodge in the eastern US on the peak. You’ll be seeing by kerosene lantern at dark, bathing in bucket and basin, and dining on family-style meals. Six trails lead to the top, ranging from the steep 5-mile Alum Cave Trail to the 9.1-mile Brushy Mountain Trail.

For the views: Hike the Appalachian trail for a bit on the 8-mile round trip trek of Newfound Gap to Charlie’s Bunyon, one of the park’s most stunning viewpoints. the 14.5-mile out-and-back Mount Cammerer Trail, which ends in a lookout tower with 360-degree views.

The less ruggedly-outdoorsy among us can check out Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the park and third highest east of the Missisippi River at 6,643, and features a paved path to an impressive view. Countless smaller, easy paths can be found throughout the park, too, featuring waterfalls (Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls among them).

Where to stay: Lodging abounds. From cheap, retro motels in the middle of the hustle and bustle to luxurious cabins on the mountainside or away from town. Take your pick.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana

From Akron: 5 hours

From Columbus: 5 hours

From Cincinnati: 4 hours, 15 minutes

You don’t have to go all the way to Florida for a beach day. Just a three-year-old National Park, the pretty beaches of Indiana Dunes stretch along 15 miles of the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It’s not just sand and shore either: 15,000 acres of woodlands, prairies, savannas, bogs and wetlands are also in the park.

In addition to the obvious beach and swimming activities, Indiana Dunes has 37 miles of bike trails, and 50 miles of hiking trails. There’s horseback riding opportunities, too.

Outside the park, watercraft adventures abound (no motorized boats are allowed within park boundaries). Two-hour, ranger-led boat tours are available, as well as kayak and jet ski rentals.

Where to stay: Standard lodging dots the area, including in nearby Michigan City, where there is the East Pierhead Lighthouse, a beautiful light right on a pier, outlet shopping and dining. Or just head one hour west and see the sites in Chicago.

Gettysburg National Military Park

Pennsylvania

From Akron: 5 hours

From Columbus: 6 hours

From Cincinnati: 7 hours, 30 minutes

The more than 6,000-acre grounds of the Battle of Gettysburg, the turning point in the Civil War and the most devastating of the war, remains protected by the National Park Service, and visiting the park is both a stunning and illuminating experience.

I am not one for audio tours, or tours in general, but I highly recommend downloading the self guided audio tour app for your vehicle and playing it as you drive through and explore the park. It brings the landscape to life.

I did not expect my visit to this park to be as impactful and immersive as it was. The scenery alone is gorgeous, but as the audio plays, the beauty of the landscape mixes with a somber eeriness.

Where to stay: The nearby town of Gettysburg, or extend the trip to Philadelphia (if you’re into driving long distances). You can also stay in the Bushman House, which witnessed the Battle of Gettysburg, within the park. Just check to see if it’s open; it was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Kentucky

From Akron: 6 hours, 26 minutes

From Columbus: 4 hours, 43 minutes

From Cincinnati: 3 hours

The world’s longest known cave system winds and bends underneath the surface of Kentucky for at least 420 miles (that’s what’s been mapped, at least).

Spelunking opportunities abound in Mammoth, and range everywhere from a family-friendly guided group tours of 1.5 miles to the strenuous 4-hour Wild Cave Tour, which will have you doing some real caving: the kind that requires a helmet and padding and crawling through 10-inch-tall-by-3-foot-wide crevices and inching along precarious ledges.

If army crawling through tight spaces many feet under ground is a big “no” for you, there are about a dozen other tours to choose from. The popular Historic Tour takes visitors through the Rotunda, one of the largest rooms in Mammoth Cave.

Where to stay: There is a lodge in the park and plenty of standard chain lodging nearby, and of course camping and cabin options. For something a little more special, there’s Grand Victorian Inn in Park City, . Families with kids (and grown up kids too) might want to check out nearby Dinosaur World, a park that features hundreds of life-sized replicas of dinosaurs. The interactive and hands-on Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo is close too.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Michigan

From Akron: 6 hours, 56 minutes

From Columbus: 7 hours, 5 minutes

From Cincinnati: 7 hours, 45 minutes

Star Wars fans: remember when Rey sleds down the massive sand dune in “The Force Awakens?” These are those kind of dunes, and you can do just that, but only when it snows and in designated areas.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes, which rise 450 feet above the lake, are totally climbable, however. But be advised: the Dune Climb is steep and strenuous. The hike can be continued through the dunes (which involves more climbing) all the way to Lake Michigan. It takes about 4 hours. Read this advice before undertaking this adventure.

If you’re not up for a leg burning workout, consider biking or strolling all or part of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, a 27 mile paved path. Or check out one of many other hikes, including the easy 1.4 mile loop of the Cottonwood Trail, which still affords beautiful views.

Nearby, the Manitou Islands offer serene wilderness area to explore, and island lakes too (they’re like lakes within a lake!). There’s dune hiking, a lighthouse, a wagon tour to view a shipwreck and even a ghost town.

Where to stay: Make he small lake town of Empire, Michigan your base, or the larger but still very quaint Traverse City. There’s plenty of campgrounds around, too.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Upper Peninsula of Michigan

From Akron: 8 hours, 31 minutes

From Columbus: 8 hours, 39 minutes

From Cincinnati: 9 hours, 22 minutes

Sure, not everyone will be up for this lengthy road trip, but if long drives are your thing, there are not many destinations as remote, peaceful and laid back as Upper Peninsula Michigan (the U.P. for those who know) the swath of Michigan that lies next to Lake Superior, and is separated completely by the rest of mainland Michigan by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It’s perfect for unplugging. Pro tip: break up the trip and stop at Sleeping Bear Dunes along the way.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore looks like something transplanted either from the Pacific Northwest or the Caribbean, with its cliffs towering above turquoise water and shipwrecks scattered about. The dramatic Bridalveil Falls and Spray Falls plunge from the cliffs into the lake. The more adventurous can book a kayak tour of the cliffs. Looking to relax? Charter a lunch cruise.

On the shore, there is more to see than the cliffs, including about 100 miles of trails to explore, and even more waterfalls, including the 75-foot Sable Falls, accessible via an easy .6 mile trail. The impressive Grand Sable Dunes also lie within the lakeshore, and are totally hikeable. There’s nothing quite like ascending a sandy trail among groves of pine trees to a massive sand dune peak overlooking a sea of massive sand dunes and a great lake.

A half dozen beaches line the shores in Pictured Rocks. Some require a little hiking, others are easy access from a parking lot. Beware: there are no lifeguards at these beaches, there are rip currents on the lake, and water temps rarely surpass the 60s.

While the area near Munising and the Pictured Rocks can get a little busy, there are plenty of quiet, lightly-trafficked trails and areas of the Lakeshore region to be explored. We spent a hushed, dreamy day relaxing in the meadows surrounding Au Sable Lighthouse, a picturesque light perched atop a cliff and situated in a meadow. It can be reached by an easy 1.5 (one way) hike. Exposed shipwrecks can be seen on the shore below, and the light can be climbed.

Where to stay: The very sleepy Grand Marais has lodging options, and a few dining spots, including a brewing company. There’s a pretty beach in town, too. Munising is more bustling. Or stay away from the towns and unplug in a remote cabin or cottage.

Where to get hiking equipment

I’m a sucker for fun hiking gear. From shoes to packs, hiking packs and rain jackets, I have amassed a nice little collection of goods for my outdoor adventures. And I’m always looking for top-quality, expertly-tested gear at the best possible price.

One of my favorite ways to do that is to read up on tried and tested gear on websites like Outdoor Gear Lab and Gear Junkie. Websites like this are dedicated to testing the gear for days and picking out the best of the best.

To save money, I don’t just stick to the current year’s reviews. I’ll look up the past couple years’ top gear (most of which is equal in quality as the current year) before scouring sources such as Poshmark, eBay and Google for markdowns (just be wary of fakes, especially with more popular brands like North Face). I’ve always been quite happy with the gear I’ve found: a fabulous windbreaker which kept me quite comfy on a boat in the San Francisco Bay; a rain jacket that kept me bone dry in Scotland’s heavy rain. Several breathable yet toasty fleece jackets that have kept me warm and comfortable on many hikes through crazy sleet-one-minute-sunshine-the next weather in the Colorado mountains and late winter runs through my local park. The toastiest socks for skiing for my popsicle-prone toes.

REI is also an excellent source for gear, and their $20 for life membership is well worth the price. It literally pays dividends from the past year’s purchases, and includes a one year return policy. Their house brand is top-notch too, and their members-only sales are hard to beat. Their used gear garage sale is also available year round to members.

Last but not least, I never hike without my AllTrails app. The user recommendations for trails have led me to some of my favorite hikes, and the GPS map has never failed to work for me even when I have zero service, and doesn’t drain my battery life, ensuring I don’t lose my way.

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