Ohio State Parks

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🥇America’s #1 state parks system🥇

Explore our 76 beautiful state parks with no entrance fees. Welcome to the Official Ohio State Parks page.

The best outdoor recreation experiences: from camping and cabins, to horseback riding and hiking, swimming, fishing, golfing, & more! RESERVE A SITE: http://www.reserveohio.com

FIND A PARK: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/findapark

SPECIAL EVENTS: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/calendar

VOLUNTEER: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/volunteer

LICENSE PLATES: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/licenseplates

Facebook Posting Guidelines for this Page:
We encourage free discussion about the State Parks on this fan page. In effort to ensure that discussion is productive, we shall moderate this forum and reserve the right to remove or block the following:

- Vulgar or offensive language
- Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic testing, or sexual orientation
- Spam
- Content that advocates illegal activity
- Promotion of particular goods or services
- Content which supports or opposes political campaigns or ballot measures
- Information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems

30/10/2026

🍂📸 Don't let the season pass you by! 📸🍂

The vibrant colors, crisp air, and breathtaking views that make fall in Ohio so special won't be around forever. And if there's one thing we've learned this season, it's that you never run out of incredible ways to capture them.

You continue to share so many beautiful photos from Ohio's award-winning state parks that we simply can't help ourselves...we have to keep sharing them! From colorful forest trails and peaceful lakeshores to stunning overlooks painted in autumn's finest colors, your photos showcase the beauty of Ohio from perspectives that inspire us and fellow outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Here's a few more of the amazing images you've shared as a reminder that there's still time to get outside and soak up the season before it's gone.

Photo 1: Lake Hope State Park by Rose Reising

Photo 2: Shawnee State Park by Brian Prose

Photo 3: Maumee Bay State Park by staff

Photo 4: Independence Dam State Park by Sarah Marshall

Photo 5: Findley State Park by Laurel Decker

Photo 6: Burr Oak State Park by Peggy Hardy

Photo 7: Deer Creek State Park by staff

Photo 8: Grand Lake St. Marys State Park by Jenna Ray

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All

29/10/2026

📸🍂 Through Your Lens Thursday 🍂📸

This week, we're featuring stunning photos captured by Mark Shutt during his recent visit to Mohican State Park, where Ohio's autumn beauty was on full display! From vibrant fall colors to breathtaking landscapes, these images perfectly capture the magic of the season.

Now we want to hear from you! 👇

🍁 Which Ohio state park have you visited to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather this year?

🍁 Are there any parks still on your fall adventure list before the season ends?

Share your favorite fall destinations and photos in the comments!

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All
Ohio Scenic Byways
Ohio Magazine
Spectrum News 1 Ohio
Discover Mohican-Mohican Visitors Bureau

28/10/2026

On National First Responders Day, we're reminded of the countless individuals who answer the call to serve their communities every day. That's why we're especially excited to invite you to the official opening of the Trail of Heroes at Cowan Lake State Park on Saturday, November 7, at 10 a.m.

This new trail is more than a walk through nature. It's a journey through stories of service, courage, compassion, and community. Created to honor veterans, first responders, community leaders, and everyday heroes, the Trail of Heroes invites visitors to reflect on the people whose actions have made a lasting difference in the lives of others.

Join us for this special ribbon-cutting ceremony as we celebrate those who serve, sacrifice, and inspire. Together, we'll honor the heroes among us and unveil a place where their stories can be remembered for generations to come.

📍 Gather with us at Cowan Lake State Park and be among the first to experience this meaningful new addition to Ohio's state park system. Walk the trail. Read the stories. Honor the heroes. ❤️💙

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All
America 250-Ohio

27/10/2026

🍂🏕️ Fall is the perfect time to discover the new Big Muskie Campground at Jesse Owens State Park!

Set up camp at one of 50 full hook-up RV sites with water, electric, and sewer connections, including ADA-compliant sites designed for added accessibility. Enjoy modern amenities like a new shower house, coin-operated laundry, a water bottle filling station, and a playground the whole family will love.

After a day exploring the park’s scenic trails and waterways, stop by the camp store for camping essentials, Big Muskie souvenirs, or a scoop of hand-dipped ice cream.

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a fall camping adventure, there's never been a better time to experience all that Jesse Owens State Park has to offer. Book your stay at reserveohio.com.

📷: Josiah Wade

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All

26/10/2026

🪨🔍 Ready to uncover Ohio’s hidden treasures?

Join the Ohio Geological Survey for Ohio Geology Discovery Day at the Horace R. Collins Laboratory and Core Repository at Alum Creek State Park on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This FREE family-friendly event is perfect for rockhounds, fossil fans, curious learners, and anyone who loves discovering how Ohio was shaped through time. Explore hands-on activities, meet geologists, and learn about rocks, minerals, fossils, and more.

Highlights include:

🏢 Guided tours of the Horace R. Collins Laboratory and Core Repository every 30 minutes

🦴 Rock, mineral, and fossil identification by ODNR geologists

⛏️ Interactive learning stations for all ages

🎓 Activities hosted by educational partners from across Ohio

🎁 Free giveaways

Take a behind-the-scenes look at one of Ohio’s most unique scientific facilities, home to the Ohio Geological Sample Repository and Ohio Seismic Network.

Whether you're a lifelong geology enthusiast or just looking for a fun and educational day with the family, there’s something for everyone to discover!

📍 Mark your calendar and make plans to join us at Alum Creek State Park for a day of exploration, discovery, and hands-on fun. Who knows what treasures you might identify? 🪨✨

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All

25/10/2026

🎃👻 Spooky Sustainability: Scary Facts, Simple Solutions 👻🎃

Think ghosts and goblins are the scariest part of Halloween? Think again! From plastics that stick around for centuries to pumpkins that can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, some of the season's biggest frights come from everyday waste.

The good news? Each scary fact has a simple solution. 🌱

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All

24/10/2026

Looking for a fun weekend outing the whole family will love? Head to Lake Hope State Park on Saturday, October 31 for ROAR Day!

This annual Rural Ohio Appalachia Revisited Day celebration brings together the best of Appalachian culture and the magic of the fall season. Starting at 10 a.m., enjoy a full day of hands‑on activities and festive fun, including:

• Trick‑or‑treating
• Pumpkin carving
• Horse‑drawn wagon rides
• Primitive candle making
• Cast iron cooking
• And plenty more fall favorites!

Explore craft and baked‑goods vendors with activities at the Nature Center, Dining Lodge, and Hope School House, all while soaking in the Halloween spirit and Appalachian heritage. ROAR Day is the perfect mash‑up of culture, community, and fall festivities.

Learn more about the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1269002608651608

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All
Lake Hope Dining Lodge & Cabins
America 250-Ohio

23/10/2026

Attention boat owners: Time is running out to enter the annual Ohio State Parks Dock Lottery! It might be fall now, but if you're hoping to score your perfect dock spot for next season, now’s the time to get your entry in.

Here’s what to know:
• Apply once per boat/owner/household by Oct. 31
• Parks will notify entrants of results in November
• Winners receive a renewable contract starting this spring (up to 5 years!)
• Existing dock holders renew by March 31 or spots move to the alternate list

A few quick reminders to keep the process smooth:
• The dock must fit your boat’s size
• You must be the boat owner and primary dock user
• No subleasing or sharing while you’re away
• Violations may result in contract termination
• Current registration and title (or documentation) are required at time of application

All lotteries are online, and each park manages its own drawing—so if you have questions or need to adjust your entry, contact the park directly.

Ready to submit your entry? 🌊 Find participating parks and apply now at https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/division-parks-watercraft/boating-paddling-Ohio/dock-lotteries-ohio-state-parks

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All
Ohio Boating and Watercraft

22/10/2026

It’s Through Your Lens Thursday! 🍁📸

We’ve been absolutely loving all the fall adventure photos you’ve been sharing from our parks — the colors, the trails, the camping… you’re capturing it all perfectly!

Keep exploring, keep tagging, and yours just might be featured next! 🍂✨

Now get out there and enjoy that crisp fall air and those unbeatable views — your next great shot is waiting!

Here are a few of our recent favorites 👇

Photo 1: Alum Creek State Park by Paula Derflinger

Photo 2: Mohican State Park by Lori McCarthy

Photo 3: A.W. Marion State Park by Lisa Stocklin

Photo 4: Mt. Gilead State Park by Pamela Perrine

Photo 5: Tar Hollow State Park by Patty Gordon

Photo 6: Burr Oak State Park by Trisha Marie

Photo 7: Hocking Hills State Park by Wendy Fetter

Photo 8: East Fork State Park by Sadie Tumbleson

Photo 9: Mohican State Park by Michelle Fayard-Bickel

Photo 10: Mohican State Park by Ryan Radtka

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All

21/10/2026

🍂✨ There’s something unmistakably special about this time of year at Malabar Farm State Park.

The hills glow a little brighter, the air feels a little crisper, and every trail seems to tell its own autumn story. Whether you’re wandering through the woods or simply pausing to take in the scenery, fall has a way of reminding us why this place is so beloved.

Enjoy these stunning seasonal views — and if you’re heading out for your own fall moment at the park, we’d love to see it! 🍁📸

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio, The Heart of it All
Ohio Scenic Byways

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