The Grand Canyon isn’t the only place in the United States that can take your breath away. From captivating views to hidden waterfalls, Ohio is full of beautiful places to explore that you won’t be able to experience anywhere else in the world. The following are what we consider to be the most incredible natural wonders in Ohio.
- Old Man’s Cave (Logan)
Vasenka Photography/Flickr
Mathieu Thouvenin/Flickr Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound.
- Crystal King and the Ohio Caverns (West Liberty)
Wes Reimer/Flickr Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world’s largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Crystal King is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old.
- Kelleys Island Glacial Grooves
Britt Reints/Flickr Kelleys Island is home to the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Brecksville)
Jeff Burcher Photography/Facebook
Tim Evanson/Flickr Ohio’s own national park is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails you’ll ever explore, the beloved Brandywine Falls (pictured above) and the breathtaking Ledges Overlook (also pictured above).
- Oak Openings (Swanton)
Benny Mazur/Flickr Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony. The Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is located in Swanton and operated by Metroparks of the Toledo Area.
- The Great Seal of Ohio (Chillicothe)
looshi/Flickr On the grounds of the historic Adena Mansion and Gardens in Chillicothe, you’ll find the site of Ohio’s Great Seal.
- Lake Erie
The stunning shores and waves of Lake Erie provide Ohio with its own special sort of ocean-like experience.
- The Rock House (Logan)
Mark Spearman/Flickr Within the Hocking Hills State Park area in Logan is the beloved Rock House, where visitors can freely explore this cave with a 25 ft. high ceiling and window-like openings.
- John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve (Yellow Springs)
Angelskiss31/Flickr The calm waters of the Little Miami River and the deep limestone chasm featured at this nature destination are most stunning in the fall.
- Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park (Nelson Township)
E Photos/Flickr
E Photos/Flickr Nelson Kennedy Ledges provides a similar (and lesser known) adventurous experience to the well known Old Man’s Cave hiking trail at Hocking Hills State Park. Portage County is home to this 160-acre park, which features rugged cliffs, unique hiking trails (complete with a “Dwarf’s Pass,” pictured above) and diverse plant life.
- Seneca Caverns (Bellevue)
Sonja/Flickr Located in Bellevue, Ohio is another geographical wonder that was first discovered in 1872. When you venture to these caverns you will travel through “The Earth Crack” and view the Ole’ Mist’ry River.
- Dysart Woods (Belmont)
Christopher Sessums/Flickr In Belmont County within the Dysart Woods, you will find some of Ohio’s oldest and largest trees. Though the woods stretches for 455 acres, only about 50 of the 140 ft. tall, 4 ft. in diameter and 300-400 year-old trees are still there.
- Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve (Chillicothe)
April Dray/Only In Your State This 600 ft. overlook of the Paint Creek Valley can be found within the Ross County Park District.
Have you seen all of these natural wonders? Which ones have you yet to explore? (Better question: What are you waiting for?) Share your experiences and photos with us in the comments below!
Vasenka Photography/Flickr
Mathieu Thouvenin/Flickr
Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound.
Wes Reimer/Flickr
Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world’s largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Crystal King is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old.
Britt Reints/Flickr
Kelleys Island is home to the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world.
Jeff Burcher Photography/Facebook
Tim Evanson/Flickr
Ohio’s own national park is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails you’ll ever explore, the beloved Brandywine Falls (pictured above) and the breathtaking Ledges Overlook (also pictured above).
Benny Mazur/Flickr
Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony. The Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is located in Swanton and operated by Metroparks of the Toledo Area.
looshi/Flickr
On the grounds of the historic Adena Mansion and Gardens in Chillicothe, you’ll find the site of Ohio’s Great Seal.
The stunning shores and waves of Lake Erie provide Ohio with its own special sort of ocean-like experience.
Mark Spearman/Flickr
Within the Hocking Hills State Park area in Logan is the beloved Rock House, where visitors can freely explore this cave with a 25 ft. high ceiling and window-like openings.
Angelskiss31/Flickr
The calm waters of the Little Miami River and the deep limestone chasm featured at this nature destination are most stunning in the fall.
E Photos/Flickr
E Photos/Flickr
Nelson Kennedy Ledges provides a similar (and lesser known) adventurous experience to the well known Old Man’s Cave hiking trail at Hocking Hills State Park. Portage County is home to this 160-acre park, which features rugged cliffs, unique hiking trails (complete with a “Dwarf’s Pass,” pictured above) and diverse plant life.
Sonja/Flickr
Located in Bellevue, Ohio is another geographical wonder that was first discovered in 1872. When you venture to these caverns you will travel through “The Earth Crack” and view the Ole’ Mist’ry River.
Christopher Sessums/Flickr
In Belmont County within the Dysart Woods, you will find some of Ohio’s oldest and largest trees. Though the woods stretches for 455 acres, only about 50 of the 140 ft. tall, 4 ft. in diameter and 300-400 year-old trees are still there.
April Dray/Only In Your State
This 600 ft. overlook of the Paint Creek Valley can be found within the Ross County Park District.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
