It's no surprise that Hocking Hills is noted as one of the best state parks in the country. We…read moreLOVED both of the Old Man's Cave trails (short half mile loop and one mile loop). We lucked out and visited when it wasn't too packed (get there early!). I don't think I would have enjoyed it quite as much with hoards of humans in the mix. This trail is easily accessed from the Hocking Hills visitors center and offers a short half mile and one mile loops. We loaded our two year on a hiking backpack and our four year old was able to manage the trail (keep a close eye- there are lots of narrow trailways). Every bit of the trail hosted incredible views- caves, waterfalls, mossy rocks, tunnels, etc. Just thinking about makes my heart rate drop. Cannot recommend this spot enough! PS: clean family-friendly bathrooms are available in the visitors center.

Wow is all I have to say. It definitely is a must visit!! The trail was easy to hike just make sure…read moreyou wear the proper shoes. The waterfalls and devils bath was beautiful unfortunately I didn't get a photo.

Very beautiful state park in the middle of Ohio and it is free. Popular spots like Cedar falls, Old…read moreMan Cave are very close to the parking lots therefore those are very easy to be accessible. If u are going to tackle the more challenging trail, I suggest you wear something better than running shoe, because surface can be slippery, especially on the Grandma Gatewood trail and whispering cave trail Best time to come is during rainy season or after a big storm, because the water flows are higher. Otherwise you might just see a small trickle from the waterfalls.

An Ohio treasure, Hocking Hills has been one of my favorite parks for my entire life…read more Accessible to all ages, with a plethora of trails both long and short. Plenty of bridges and paved areas. You can really make your Hocking Hills experience as intense as you'd like. With features such as Old Man's Cave and a creek with several water falls, you do not want to miss this park. My personal favorite season to visit is autumn, watching the trees shed their colorful leaves. Gorgeous views, great photo ops, and fun for the whole family. Not to mention free parking.

A lot more strenuous hike to get to the lower falls, but gorgeous. You have to take this option…read moreversus going to the cave/regular exit.

This particular section of the Hike in Hocking Hills State Park near Old Man's Cave is actually…read morecalled MIDDLE FALLS not the Lower Falls, I put in for an edit and I hope they correct it. If you take the path straight over the hillside in front of the OLD MAN CAVE VISITORS CENTER, you immediately drop down beside this fall. This stream is not a huge stream but after the heavy rains lately, it is flowing full. Once in the gorge, if you look up at the rock cliff across the creek line you will see this jagged edge of the rocks sticking out near the rim like a perch. I would be scared to death to stand out there on that ledge, but can you imagine the adrenaline rush???!!!!???? I love hiking in this gorge. If you take the entire trail you will go through 2 tunnels, see several caves and visit three falls in addition to the water swirl known as the Devils' Bathtub. What do I love most about this adventure..? The trails down in the gorge are wide and easy to traverse, but mainly my biggest pleasure it is all FREE. I highly recommend if you are in the area and have about 2 good hours to enjoy this outdoor wonderland .....STOP HERE and ENJOY but be safe...high cliffs, steep steps, crowds and breathtaking views can be a hazard!!!

If you aren't sure what all Columbus has to offer, this small store at Easton should be your first…read morestop. They have brochures from so many places, and free event magazines. Or maybe you've been busy seeing the sights and forgot to pick up a souvenir. There is a small selection of souvenirs, shirts, etc. from many different Columbus hot spots.

Had to wait 45 min before anyone showed up after the "back in " sign said someone would be there…read more Caused me to be late to a reservation.friendly service when they are actually there though.

We were camping in the area and found out about John Glenn Astronomy Park while in the visitor…read morecenter at shocking Hills State Park. We made a reservation for a parking pass right away. Visiting the park is free but you need to reserve a free parking pass online. Parking passes are limited, as the space for parking is limited. This is an amazing place to visit, we saw an interesting program and then were invited to view Saturn through one of the large, powerful telescopes. A beautiful clear view! There is a stand with T shirts and other themed items for sale, and the profits go towards supporting the astronomy park. The park is even dog friendly, although there were only a few well-behaved dogs present. We were camping so we took our two dogs in with us. Staff and volunteers are wonderful and knowledgeable. This is one of the darkest areas in Ohio and well worth a visit to view the stars without light pollution.

Always worth the trip to visit. My favorite is the talks given by the director. A great opportunity…read moreto speak with knowledgeable people who are passionate about astronomy. Everyone with telescopes were extremely kind and generous with their equipment.

This was one of my favorite places to visit in Columbus, OH... and it's free! Unless you have to…read morepay for parking... I highly recommend this place!!! The garden is so interesting and from different angles you'll see different views. I really enjoyed this place and taking pictures.

I love the recreation of the famous Seurat painting however...While I was here with my kiddos it…read morereeked of urine, we found boxers on the park grounds, and encountered some questionable people. It was a quick visit for us but such a beautiful wonderful idea. Unfortunately I wouldn't go out of my way for this, pictures could be better than the in person experience.

Parking: This location has plenty of parking lots…read moresurrounding the lake. Easy to access and seem moderately safe. I have never had an issue finding a spot. 5 stars. Water: I've never gotten in the water, so I can't judge this.. not a fan of lake water. Dam: Cool place to come for an easy outdoor walk to unwind and relax or to workout (many people run the steps up and down the dam). Everything here is free. Other: There is a frisbee golf course that people were actively using while I was there. There is a lot of easy hiking trails and scenery to enjoy. Conclusion: This is a good place to come with a family or friends. Get outside and have a picnic, go fishing, boating, take a hike, or play frisbee golf. It does get cold here in fall/winter as the wind comes off the lake, so wear a coat. I'm tired of the cold, debating running away to Mexico.

When most people think of Hoover Dam/Reseviotr, they think of the area along Sunbury Road. This…read moreis, however, an often overlooked area BELOW the dam. This area can be accessed from Sunbury Road (near the dam) or from Central College Rd. When entering from Central College Road, there is a nice parking area and a picnic shelter. The recreation area below the dam is spacious and allows for a variety of recreational activities.