This is a great place for picnic and quick history lesson for folks of all ages. American Civil War…read morebuff? Follow the "Morgan's Raid" road signs for an adventure. Love Native American history? Check out the mound!

I had long heard about Buffington Island, but don't get down this way much. When I was driving to…read moreNorth Carolina I noticed it was only a few miles off my route, so I had to swing by. The only Civil War battlefield in Ohio- how could I pass that up? It is small, and probably not of much interest unless you are a real history buff, in which case it is fascinating. There is a small park with plenty of parking, an Indian mound, and a small outbuilding with bathrooms. A few historical markers and a small pavilion with display panels round out the amenities. The story is fascinating: John Morgan, later imprisoned in the old State Pen in Columbus, was a Confederate raider who attacked all along the Ohio River. This was the only major battle, and it eventually led to his capture. The displays explain the background, battle, and aftermath. It's quiet and isolated, and pretty cool. Maybe not worth a special trip unless you are a Civil War buff, but if you live in the area or are traveling nearby, definitely worth a visit.

Very peaceful!!! It's always very clean and well maintained. Never a bunch of people. Plenty of…read morehiking trails

It's not far at all from town but once you're there you would never know that. It's so peaceful and…read moreusually shady with lots of trails and little streams nearby. Yes, your animals are required to be on leash. There was hardly anyone there that day and no one was near the spot we were at. And my dogs wouldn't run off.

This is a pretty area that offers a lake for water-based recreation (boating, fishing, a swimming…read morebeach, plus ice fishing when conditions allow during the winter) and woodlands to enjoy. There are three trails, varying in length from the 0.5 mile Cherry Tree Trail to the 3.5 mile Buckeye Trail. There's a nice looking camping area with both electric and nonelectric sites, some of which have great views of the lake and easy boat access for kayaks/canoes/etc., and a fun playground fro the kids. There are some nice picnic areas with tables and benches available in scenic areas. The one we used also had a great shelterhouse with several tables available and was reservable, though there were no events at the time of our visit. Very nice park!

Disappointing. My family has been coming here for 40+years and it was always a great place as a…read morekid. Now it's just run down. So much potential going to waste. There use to be activities for the kids like nature center with animals, hikes and a theater. Now nothing. No rangers at the office all day if you need them. The lights wouldn't work in the shower house but couldn't tell anyone. Also the beach is disgusting with geese poop everywhere and no life guard.

Get away and do your own thing. Seldom see other's. It feels like you have the place to yourself.read more

Very nice family gathering place. Camping, their little beach, and for the most part stays clean…read more I've weñt there ßince I was a kid myself. Now my kids and I go.

This is a very cool park! My children tend to gravitate toward parks and playgrounds where there…read moreare open-ended and tactile features available, and this park has that. There are boulders to climb, outdoor musical instruments to play, a treehouse to play pretend in (and is wheelchair accessible!), a merry-go-round, swings, a traditional playground structure with slides, and lots more. The playground area is lined with wood chips. There is also lots of space to run around, and lots of trees. Like the name of the park suggests, this is a very sensory-friendly park, and there are nature stations set up all around where you can use your senses to explore. There is also a short, paved trail that goes around the park, which is wide and smooth enough for strollers and wheelchairs. The trail goes by a creek, which is nice. As of right now, this is the only sensory-friendly park in the state of Ohio! It's definitely worth a visit.

This is a really neat and wonderfully inclusive park. This features a short, paved path that is…read morewheelchair and walker accessible. Along the path are a variety of interactive stations that are also designed to be accessible. If you start near the entry sign, you'll find a Little Free Library, which, on our recent visit, was loaded with a lot of great kids options. Just ahead is a variety of benches and a little music garden, featuring musical instruments that can be played, and you can also interact with the Rough Bark Tactile Display to learn more about different tree barks. A little further down are the cutest animal looking instruments that can also be used. As you continue down the path, you find a swingset with a variety of swings that include both traditional and accessible options. There's a nice little shaded bench area with information about the creek, Fetter's Run, that can be seen from the location. As you proceed along, a very exciting find is the Treehouse, which is built within the forest trees as opposed to up in one, which allows a wheelchair ramp to make it accessible. This overlooks the creek and has things to explore, like neat nature art and a second floor (not accessible) with a fire pole. At the end of the path is a shelter house with picnic tables and nearby grills. Most, if not all, of the signage included Braille translations, as well. There is a large parking lot here, but I do note that this is located behind a school, so I'm not sure how that would affect parking for a visit during a school day.

One of Nitro's best kept secrets, conveniently close to town but far enough out to be the perfect…read moreway to escape the hustle and bustle for a little while. Beautiful and peaceful place to relax, spend time with the family (including the canine members of the family), fish, hike (with a mix of clear gravel trails or rougher dirt trails), or even take a canoe or kayak out on the lake. Also great for group picnics, community events, weddings, birthday parties, or just gathering with friends for a relaxing day by the lake.

Nice walk around the lake and (if you like) through the woods. Picnic areas. Gazebo. Dog run. I go…read morethere in all seasons.

Tony and I stopped by this park on our West Virginia Almost Heaven Swing Trip today. This was our…read more2nd stop. Nice area a few tables and a bathroom. Need to see more of the park! This is backside of the dam!

I've biked the rail trail here many times since its opening many many years ago and each time is…read morejust as wonderful as my first time. I recently went with a couple of my childhood friends who had never been and we had an amazing ride. There are several cool tunnels to go through and there is always wildlife to view and enjoy on your ride. The town of Cairo is always one of my favorite parts of biking this trail, but it was also nice to see someone built a nice little park for the kids right off of the rail trail in Ellenboro to which we stopped at to cool off under the shelter and share some snacks on one of their picnic tables. The park itself is absolutely beautiful! The lake is great for boating and fishing, and the lodge and restaurant are great too. I hope you enjoy yourself while here because I know I always do :D

This lovely park stands outside the floodwalls at the confluence of the Ohio River (upstream to…read moreWheeling WV and Pittsburgh PA) and the Kanawha River (upstream to Charleston WV). The park is full of memorials and boasts a fabulous view of the rivers. You'll find an 84-foot granite obelisk commemorating the Virginia militiamen who died in the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant against Shawnee and Mingo forces and the "Mad" Anne Bailey Memorial and Grave which celebrates the legendary frontier scout known for her daring ride to secure gunpowder for Fort Lee in 1791. The Mansion House Museum was originally built in 1796 as a tavern and now contains colonial-era artifacts and relics from the battle. The Chief Cornstalk Burial Marker honors the Shawnee leader who fought in the battle and was later murdered in 1777. One historical marker reads, "Point Pleasant Battle. Here, Oct. 10, 1774, General Andrew Lewis and a thousand Virginia riflemen defeated the federated Indian tribes led by Cornstalk. Known as the "first battle of the Revolution." It was the most important battle between Indians and whites." And on the reverse, "War of 1812. On October 20, 1812, the western Virginia Brigade of Militia under command of General Joel Leftwich, embarked here for the Ohio frontier to join the Northwestern Army for service in the Second War with England." Expect to spend a good amount of time here reading monuments, viewing the museum and just looking out at the barges moving on the river. [Review 594 of 2025 - 177 in West Virginia - 24155 overall]

Located at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers in Point Pleasant, WV, Tu-Endie-Wei State…read morePark commemorates the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant, as well as containing other historical monuments and markers commemorating local Native American history and other important events. The park isn't particularly large, but it offers a very peaceful with a great view of the rivers and the Mansion House, a historic home that was originally used as a tavern and is packed full of artifacts. We really enjoyed chatting with the park ranger on duty who was full of knowledge on the area and that we sat and talked about the park and town with for over 20 minutes. A must visit in Point Pleasant that offers a refreshing break from all the Mothman and spooky lore of the area.

Brady is the man !He is very good telling the wildlife story. Great trip! Everyone, young and old…read moreshould go to the WILDS for a day .

The property is massive, with wide open landscapes and views that stretch far across the hills…read more Waking up in the morning and looking out over the terrain was one of the highlights of the trip. It almost feels like stepping into another environment entirely, especially knowing the area is dedicated to wildlife conservation. Our campsite was quiet and well spaced out, which made it easy to enjoy the surroundings without constant noise from nearby groups. At night, the sky was incredibly clear, and the lack of city lights made stargazing surprisingly good. Facilities were simple but adequate, which fits the outdoor-focused setting. Everything we needed was available, and the grounds were kept in good condition. The staff we encountered were welcoming and clearly proud of the property, offering helpful guidance about the area. Camping at The Wilds is more than just pitching a tent--it's an opportunity to spend time in a unique natural environment that feels both peaceful and expansive. It's a great destination if you're looking for something a little different from the usual campground experience.

I was looking for a short hike. The trails by the lakeside were a bit overgrown on my visit; not so…read moremuch as to be impossible but enough to needlessly increase the tick and poison ivy risk. The activity du jour seemed to be boating, and there were plenty of people taking a dip in various parts of the lake as well. It's probably good for that, but the sights weren't amazing and I wasn't convinced that the calories burned were worth the trouble.

I've hiked Lake Vesuvius many times and it is always quiet, clean and well kept. You have to be…read moreaware of conditions, but I live close by, si no worries. Love this lake hike!