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Caesar Creek State Park and Other Hiking Spots Near Cincinnati

One of the great things about living in Ohio is access to over 75 state parks – many of which offer hiking and camping opportunities, including Caesar Creek State Park. Whether you are looking for a day of hiking near Cincinnati or planning a weekend (or week!) to experience what a park has to offer, there are a variety of different destinations and activities to enjoy. Learn more about 3 state parks that offer camping, hiking and other outdoor recreation and are about an hour or less by car from many greater Cincinnati locations.

Caesar Creek State Park and Other Camping and Hiking Opportunities near Cincinnati

To enjoy hiking near Cincinnati, you may need only a few hours or want to plan for a day or more to make the most of your outdoor experience. Fortunately, many Ohio state parks offer various camping opportunities for individuals looking for longer hiking experiences or more time to enjoy the multiple activities available at each park. Specific to camping and hiking experiences near Cincinnati, here are a few marquee destinations to consider:

Caesar Creek State Park

For a break from the city, take about an hour’s drive northeast to Caesar Creek State Park. This location features over 10 trails ranging from moderate to more difficult, which are specifically for hiking. However, hikers also have use of the trails designated for horseback riding and mountain biking. On their travels, hikers may encounter incredible views, such as beautiful waterfalls, or even traverse a swinging bridge! If you are looking for a break from hiking, take a swim, visit the nature center, or explore the living history museum – Caesar Creek’s Pioneer Village.

After their chosen trail experiences or enjoyment of any other activities, visitors may appreciate relaxing at this park’s campground. With over 300 hundred sites (most of which are electric with a smaller amount of full hookup sites), these pet-friendly camping options are available by reservation. There are also horse camp and boat camp areas. As you finalize the details of your stay, be sure to check out the special events, as choices such as the “Marathon Hike” or “Wildflower Walks for Kids” may make your scheduled visit even more fun!

East Fork State Park

Approximately 25 miles to the east of Cincinnati, East Fork State Park is one of the largest parks in the state. Known for having the greatest number of trails out of any state park in Ohio, visitors have many choices to suit their preferences in terms of difficulty level, distance or experiences. Perhaps this is the year that some outdoor enthusiasts may choose to tackle the challenging 30+ miles of the Steven Newman Worldwalker Perimeter Trail. On the other hand, visitors looking for easier trails or bird watching might prefer the Prairie Trail. Mountain bikers and horseback riders also have several options.

With over 400 different campsites available (primarily electric), this year-round campground is the perfect home base from which to enjoy your hiking excursions or the many other activities at East Fork State Park. For example, visitors may rent a kayak or bike during certain seasons or enjoy swimming or the archery ranges.

Stonelick State Park

For a camping and hiking destination near Cincinnati that may be perfect for novice hikers and one that offers some unique opportunities, visitors may want to check out Stonelick State Park. In comparison to the other two destinations included here, both the park and campground are smaller in size. The few trails for hikers and bikers at this park are less than 2 miles each and mostly rated as easy with one listed as moderate. However, this location features a free 18-hole disc golf course for those with their own equipment to enjoy. Additionally, as a special nighttime event, periodic Saturday gatherings of the Cincinnati Observatory’s Stonelick Stargazers also occur. During these events, park visitors are welcome to enjoy the views via the various telescopes set up by the attending amateur astronomers (or their own) and talk about the evening’s sights.

If you are looking for a quick hike near Cincinnati or organizing a multi-day hiking trek, these state parks and many others are accessible to Ohio residents and visitors alike. As an additional resource, Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources provides a helpful search tool to explore all of the locations in the state and their offerings. If hiking isn’t your activity of choice, there is an abundance of other incredible things to do for those living in and around Cincinnati. For assistance finding an apartment in the area, please contact our leasing experts today!