It’s time everyone…to finish up all 75 state parks! From lakesides to countrysides, discovering islands to walking roads this was a trip not to forget!
Part One
Campbell Hill, Bellefontaine OH
To start off, I drove 3 hours Ohio’s Hi-Point: Campbell Hill. The total height is 1549′ and there’s a plaque signifying where it is and the history behind it. It wasn’t very scenic standing on the hill…more of a ‘meh’ but at least I can say I was at Ohio’s Hi-Point for whatever it’s worth lol.
Indian Lake State Park
Info:
- On-the-water type of park
- A few trails to hike and places to hunt
- Has a dog park
Where is this located? Logan County near Lakeview
This was a state park I forgot to hit when I did Central Ohio so I had to visit it along the way. The place I parked was along the wide lake. The sun was beaming but its warmth didn’t overcome the chilly wind. There was some sort of gravel trail that a couple people were running on. To be honest, I could see myself running here-it’s a perfect trail from my perspective. I walked to an overlook dock and looked straight out in front of me. The lake was calm with no ripples.
Lake Loramie State Park
Info:
- Boating and fishing are the popular activities
- Numerous trails
- Campground is popular (from what I could tell)
Where is this located? Shelby County near Fort Loramie
My favorite state park out of the whole trip (for this weekend…next week is islands lol) because it was a beautiful morning, I heard morning doves, there were two fishermen out, and I walked a grassy path along the river into the countryside. I didn’t have time to cross the bridge onto the island but the part just before was perfect for me. I have my own personal review I’ll keep to myself but the Blackberry Trail on a calm, clear morning is just *chef’s kiss.*
Grand Lake St. Mary’s State Park
Info:
- Once considered the largest reservoir
- 52 miles of shoreline
- 13,500 acre lake perfect for water recreation
Where is this located? Mercer County near St. Mary’s
Really just a stop to see the lake (as with many others). Humongous lake with lots of white birds. Nice to see but also boring if you don’t have a water craft or aren’t with people.
Van Buren State Park
Info:
- 296 acres with a 45 acre lake
- Can boat and horseback ride
Where is this located? Hancock County near Van Buren
A very short stop. I saw part of the lake which was really brown. But, just because I made it a short stop doesn’t mean there’s much to do. There’s the village of Van Buren, you can camp here, and there’s disc golf. I’m just on a time crunch haha.
Mary Jane Thurston State Park
Info:
- Along the Maumee State Scenic River
- 105 acres
- One of the best areas to stream fish
- Located near Grand Rapids
Where is this located? Wood/Henry Counties near McClure
I was happy with this stop. I was in Grand Rapids where I parked and walked around the town, along the river, saw a family and a silhouette of Bigfoot, and got a coffee at Way Maker’s Coffee Shop. As I was walking along the flowing river I crossed the bridge to go on the path to see the other river. Overall, a lovely stop and it’s by a town so there’s lots to do.
Independence Dam State Park
Info:
- Along the Maumee River
- Wonderful for watercraft activities
- 3 mile hiking trail and you can camp here
Where is this located? Defiance County near Defiance
A short stop because of a terrible storm the night before…this place was flooded. I saw the river from afar. I turned on some rock music and jammed on to the next stop.
Maumee Bay State Park
Info:
- 1336 acres
- Golf course, cabins, and resort lodge available
- More than 300 bird species
Where is this located? Lucas County near Oregon
The busiest of all of them and I wasn’t surprised. Before this, I headed to Freight Company Coffee Shop to jumpstart my heart. I carried my coffee and headed onto the boardwalk trail. By this time, it was 3 o’clock and I had two more stops before heading home.
The boardwalk trail through the marshes was pleasantly different from all the other trails I’m used to. I walked behind a grandmother and her two grandsons and we all stopped as two deer galloped through the marsh, under the boardwalk, and onward through the marsh. There were a few ponds here and there.
Unfortunately, the larger loop was closed so it was a quick and crowded walk. Near the end by the resort I had views of Lake Erie. A part of me kept wondering if there was a freshwater crocodile in the marshes ready to bolt out of the water to come on the boardwalk. Overall, this is the state park I’d recommend for families as there’s also a learning center.
East Harbor State Park
Info:
- 1831 acres
- Large campground
- Many trails
- Great area to go wildlife watching
Where’s this located? Ottawa County near Lakeside Marblehead
After going over many speedbumps…some unnecessary but I digress haha…I arrived near the edge of land and the shore of Lake Erie. Only rocks separated the water from the parking lot. Everyone and their dog was here making this the second busiest park of the trip. I was so tired from driving that I just stood there and looked at my surroundings. Again, just because I do one thing doesn’t mean that’s all there is to do. Go on a trail or something. My body was done and near sick from 4 energy drinks haha. Where I parked, though, was prime scenery with Lake Erie all around with some prairie/grassland.
Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
Info:
- Only about 10 minutes from Lakeside Chautauqua
- One of Lake Erie’s popular landmarks
- Can climb the lighthouse, shop at the gift shop, and explore the museum
- Popular with picnicking
Where is this located? Ottawa County near Marblehead
I was here August of ’22 with my friend Sophia so this place was familiar to me. At the time our kneecaps were non-existent from the Akron Half Marathon and we were encouraged to climb up the lighthouse in which I would have voluntarily thrown myself down the steps if I did so we declined. At the time as well we explored the museum. There’s lots of photographs and items to see from the area so it was interesting to see. Oh, I almost forgot, it’s $3 to climb the lighthouse with children under 6 being free.
This time, everyone and their dog was here. A family was picnicking. Children were climbing the rocks. It’s more of a historic state park like Malabar Farms. You can see Cedar Point from here (not the photo underneath lol).
After this exhausting 15 hour yet fulfilling and adventurous day, I headed home excited to see islands next weekend.
Part Two
Harrison Lake State Park
Info:
- 142 acres
- In the midst of the countryside
- Can camp and boat and swim (dog-swim area also available)
Where is this located? Fulton County near Fayette
Because I was stupid I forgot there was another state park I was supposed to head to last weekend: Harrison Lake! So, right after a job interview, I skrrt-skrrted 3.5 hours to Harrison Lake.
Driving there through Cleveland was such a nightmare and the worst driving experience I’ve ever had because no one knows how to determine which exit they need to get off of…but I digress.
I finally turned on some Elvis and drove through country roads. As the sun was setting, creating a faint pink painted sky, I felt calmer and cruised down the country roads along barns and fields to Harrison Lake.
Overall, it’s just a huge lake with a bridge you can cross over to get better views.
Lakeside Stop #1
For the weekend, I spent the weekend with my great uncle and aunt. It was perfect as it was in the middle of where I needed to be these next two days to catch ferries: Kelleys Island, North, Middle, and South Bass Island, and Catawba.
I enjoyed being back in the small Americana style town for my weekend. Saturday morning near 11 I caught the Kelleys Island Ferry to head to my only island stop for the day.
Kelleys Island State Park
Info:
- 677 acres
- Glacial Grooves to check out
- Many trails and natural preserves
To get to Kelleys Island I recommend taking the Kelleys Island Ferry which costs $12 one way. To park near the ferry to get on, it’s $15, which is utterly ridiculous but never mind my opinion.
It took about 20 minutes to get there and I was excited. There was an older, wealthy couple where the wife was super excited, and 2 families on my ferry. I’ve never been on a ferry so I spent the whole time looking out the window and rocking with the waves.
Once we docked we were let loose and I made a beeline to the Glacial Grooves because they were on the other side of the island. I walked past downtown where there were restaurants and shops and because it was off-season many were closed. I really wanted to go to the fudge shop, darn it. It was a 1.6 mile trek down Division Street to get to the grooves. I walked past many houses and barely any cars passed me.
The grooves were fascinating and something I’d never seen before so I explored the whole area. Afterwards, I started walking the North Shore Loop Trail and it’s one of the best trails I’ve ever done. You start off in the grass surrounded by trees but very soon later you start walking along rocks and grassy cliffs with the view of Lake Erie. The Lake was someone upset as waves crashed along the rocks and I felt the spray. Many times I left the trail and headed on the rocks and that’s where I got my best experience. I highly recommend if you’re able.
After the rocks you come back to where you started with the now full visibility of the old abandoned stone crusher.
I then started the long walk back to the other side but I went through the countryside and walked nearly 2 miles on the road, past some woods and the airport, finally arriving back downtown. I looked at Inscription Rock and the mansions back to the ferry dock.
Tips: Buy round trip tickets, rent a golf cart, go during on-season where more is open, explore the countryside a little, and check the ferry times!! Also, keep your tickets because you have to return them or you have to buy another one!!!
Lakeside Stop #2
I arrived back at base at around 4 feeling energized from the trip I just took. We went out to dinner at the ‘1812’-a white tablecloth restaurant with an open atmosphere. I got the lamb lollipops. At night, during sunset, I took a walk for about an hour until it was fully dark and soon went to bed after preparing my schedule for the morning.
Middle Bass Island State Park
Info:
- Best for boating and bicycling
- Lonz Winery Landmark
After getting coffee at Coffee Express in Port Clinton I raced over to Catawba to catch the Miller Ferry to Middle Bass. It costs nothing to park but for Middle Bass it’s $11.50 one way. Again, buy round trip and KEEP your tickets.
Middle Bass, was, to me, a big amount of nothing.
There was the Lonz Winery which was closed but cool to see and learn about the wine history of the island, a boat dock, and a very tiny downtown with a church and general store.
I walked 1.5 miles to the other end past the airport to see North Bass Island State Park from afar. North Bass is only privately accessible and there’s a lodge to rent. There are no ferries that go to North Bass. You have to have your own boat to go.
I walked back and got some energy drinks from the general store, said hello to the Sheriff (who was probably pretty bored lol) and walked back to the dock to catch the ferry back to Catawba. Because it’s off-season, the Sonny-S ferry is not running but the Sonny-S is a ferry goes between Middle and Put-In-Bay for easy access. I, on the other hand, had to go all the way back, catch a ferry, and head to South Bass haha.
South Bass Island State Park/Put-In-Bay
Info:
- Party Island
- Camp, swim, fish, eat, whatever
- Contains Oak Point State Park
- Perry’s Monument is here
After a 20 minute ferry ride costing $9 one way I arrived on what I heard was party island. I took a cab right on over to South Bass Island State Park and saw many lodges plus the Put-In-Bay script sign.
I turned around and walked the hour through it all to Oak Point State Park. This island was more lively in places and people than Kelleys. Downtown was wonderful seeing all the restaurants, bars, and shops.
I became relaxed once I reached Millers Ferry dock on the other side. There was a boat lot and the homes gave a New England vibe with wrap around porches, green grass, and looked like cottages. I admired each home and since it was a sunny day with few clouds in the sky the homes looked even more beautiful. Some had rocking chairs and some had flowery couch cushions on the white wicker chairs.
Oak Point State Park is small and mainly for boating but there’s a gazebo to sit in. You can see buildings from afar as well as Perry’s Monument that you can climb up in the on-season. I started the hours walk back to where the other Millers Ferry was. I had my backpack on so I felt like a true adventurer and about put my thumb up to see if I could catch any rides. The path I took back led me past the school and police building and more through the residential area. After some twists and turns I took a straight shot road for about a mile or so and finally made it back to a main area full of people renting golf carts.
I saw on my map that there was a lighthouse so I walked there through a very nice semi-private residential area. The lighthouse was inside a building and had many historical markers around the land. I stopped at the edge and looked ahead at the glistening blue water and the islands before me that I had been to.
I caught the second to last ferry back full…full of tipsy people that made the ride back fun.
Catawba Island State Park
Info:
- Not really an island
- 10 acres
- More of a use for boating
Where is this located? Ottawa County near Port Clinton
I was eager to see my last state park knowing it could not compare to my last few. But as I stood on the dock looking at the vast lake it was surreal to me knowing I had just now seen every state park in Ohio with my first one being at West Branch. I was humbled. What a journey and an adventure. Even though there’s not much to see at Catawba Island State Park-looking out at Lake Erie was a great finale to a humongous goal I never thought I could reach in the time span I had.
Thank you.
