:: Ohio State Parks

Some folks have trouble when faced with two choices; they'd go into mental convulsions if they had to choose from three. Wonder what they would do if they had to choose from among seventy four. That's the number of state parks available in the State of Ohio. Of course, the sensible thing to do would be to visit the one nearest to you when hit with the travel bug that insists on an outdoor trip. The bug would definitely be soothed if you picked a State Park that was known for its favourite activities or came close to its comfort zones. So let's take a look around to see what Ohio has to offer.

Popular activities such as camping, hiking, horse riding, and fishing would be available everywhere. Depending on the location you might even expect boating and mountain bike riding. But if you were bent on something unusual or not what you would do on an average camping trip, you may be delighted to know that Ohio State Parks think of everything. Between them all seventy four offer a range of exciting activities that may well be worth going the extra mile for.

Hueston Woods in College Corner would have to be called a jack of all sport with its impressive range from Paintball to Ice boating. The place has bridle paths for horse riding, miles of mountain bike trails, and indoor swimming besides, tennis and golf. If you visit in winter you can have the time of your life ice skating, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, sledding, and ice boating. It has all sorts of facilities and accommodations that will have you roughing it out in style.

Maumee Bay located close to downtown Toledo is a comparatively new set up that has everything you would need to have a fabulous time. In addition to the usuals, there's golf, tennis, basketball, beach volley ball, racquet ball courts, and horseshoes. Depending on the time of the year, you get to view wildlife ranging from monarch butterflies to tundra swans. For intellectual stimulation, there's a fascinating history about the native Indian tribes who lived in the area that you may want to know more about.

Rock climbing and rappelling are available at John Bryan in Yellow Springs and Hocking in Logan which is also known for its amazing natural beauty. Other than Maumee Bay, golf is available at Deer Creek in Mt.Sterling, Hueston Woods, Punderson in Newbury, Shawnee in Portsmouth on the banks of the Ohio River, and Salt Fork in Lore City.

Horseback riding is available at nearly twenty five Parks, but horses are not provided. In some Parks the trails are shared by hikers and strollers, so you should be on the look out for them if the urge to do go cowboy grabs you. If it's deer hunting season, well, you've seen enough cowboy movies to know you have to keep your head down. The area up to about 400 feet of a trail is designated safety zone, but try explaining that to a run away bullet.