Visit these Scenic Spots in Ohio’s State Parks

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park
What is missing from the rock formations at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park is just as interesting as what’s there. A geological mystery surrounds the formation of many of the park’s rocky features, such as the Gold Hunter’s Cave. 

“There’s a missing piece of geologic time between those rocks where geologists don’t know what happened,” says T. Andrew Nash, Ohio Geological Survey mapping group supervisor for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “That leads to some of the interesting features that we see in the park because the shale under the sandstone is pretty weak and easily eroded.”

Erosion is at play all over the 167-acre park in Portage County. Along its 3 miles of trails, you can see spots where Mother Nature carved gaps between rock joints to create pathways just wide enough for a person. Nash’s favorites are Devil’s Hole, a cave-like collection of rocks, and Devil’s Icebox, a rock shelter.

“There’s a little tributary that comes out of Minnehaha Falls [and] goes right through Devil’s Icebox, bringing colder water, and it creates this microclimate,” he says. “There’s not any light or heat from the sun able to get in the water, so it stays cooler.” 12440 St. Rte. 282, Nelson Township 44231, 330/235-0030

Strouds Run State Park
With more than 40 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, there are a lot of ways to get around Strouds Run State Park in Athens County. It is known for its scenic lake, but there is plenty more to see across the rugged, 2,606-acre park. The 6.6-mile Sundown Trail meanders among Native American mounds, while the 1.2-mile Trace Trail passes the remnants of a farmstead and cemetery. The 1-mile Beaver Trail Pond leads to a beaver colony along a creek, where you might spot the critters gathering food for winter. 11661 State Park Rd., Athens, 45701, 740/767-3570

Bridge at John Bryan State Park: photo by Nathan Racz

John Bryan State Park
Set along the Little Miami River, which carved out the limestone gorge here over thousands of years, this 752-acre park in Greene County was once home to mound-building Native Americans, Shawnee tribes and later, nine mills. Clifton Mill and Grinnell Mill still stand, while the remnants of the Patterson Mill and the Nixon Hagar Papermill are in the adjoining Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. A small waterfall can be seen from the north side of the Little Miami, near the South Gorge Bridge, but be sure to check out Amphitheater Falls, which drops 35 feet, after an autumn rain. 3790 St. Rte. 370, Yellow Springs 45387, 937/767-1274

Kelleys Island State Park
There’s something groovy going on just a short walk from Kelleys Island State Park. While the island is quieter during the fall, the Jet Express and Kelleys Island Ferry bring people there all season for camping and hiking. For a rare sight, head to Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve near the park entrance. The more than 17,000-year-old grooves were left behind when Ice Age glaciers carved the Lake Erie region as we know it today. At 400 feet long, 10 feet deep in some spots and 33 feet wide, the geologic wonder is one of the world’s largest examples of glacial grooves. 920 Division St., Kelleys Island 43438, 419/746-2546

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