The Ash Cave Waterfall is a large natural rock overhang in the Hocking Hills region of Ohio. It is…read moreone of the premier Park destinations in the state, and the home of historic native populations in North America for millennia. A remnant of ancient pre-glacial North America, some of the flora species located here are unique to the continent. Other caves are also located nearby, and coupled with a visit to Ash Cave can make a truly unique and memorable visit to Southeast Ohio. Ash Cave is easily accessible from a large nearby parking lot and the trail is handicapped friendly. It is sometimes the location for special events, such as an annual concert by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. This is a magnificent event and well worth attending, but tickets go fast so if you're interested really be on the lookout for them, so don't delay when they become available.

This was absolutely beautiful and such an amazing place for kids to play! The waterfall was…read morebeautiful and even with all the people tourist-ing it was relaxing. I love how accessible this hike was - we took the stroller most of the way and turned around and walked back instead of finishing the loop. The natural beauty was out of this world!

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.

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.

Currently is having construction in some areas but was very beautiful!!! The trails were nice!!!read more

I am a little hesitant in writing this review. I have been coming here for over 30 years, and the…read morelast thing I want to see is more people, but it is better to share. It started with our grandmother bringing us here to burn off energy, and to get some background in nature. what was good intentions has now blossomed into a full fledged love affair with nature. granted I am from southern ohia, (ohio for yall not along the Ohia river, I have grown up in nature. There are no restrooms (to my knowledge), so you will need to empty your bladder in the city of Jackson or use a bottle or bag (remember to clean up after yourself please). there are approx. 5 1\2 miles of trails, moderate in traversing. All trails start and end at the parking lot. the pine ridge trail takes you along the lake, and the salt creek trail takes you along salt creek and along sandstone cliffs. In autumn, the foliage is outstanding and smell of hemlock is inspiring. On a side note, due to state budget cuts, park rangers need our help in cleaning up after unruly visitors. just yesterday, I removed two bags of refuse consisting of shirts, socks, a diaper, soda pop cans, and a pair of shoes. this is a nature preserve, lets keep it that way.

I finally made it back to tackle this challenging hike, 140 flights of stairs over 12 miles in 4.5…read morehours. The scenery was beautiful on a perfect day!

Headed out on the Hope Furnace Trail to Yosemite Falls and a few other offshoots and loved the…read moreelevation changes and different trail options to accommodate how many miles you want to hike. Take a picture of the trail map before you head in it will help with the navigation. Extensive trail network and can easily do 20+ miles if you want. Have fun it's a great group of trails!

Depends on water level from recent rains. One extreme huge waterfall to just a trickleread more

A large storm the day before made this waterfall simply spectacular! You can see it from the tiny…read moreparking lot. Otherwise it is an uneven path to get there but less than 50 steps away. See it if you can!

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 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.

The park sits along the Ohio River at a bend known as the Great Bend, a landmark noted on maps as…read morefar back as the 1700s. - George Washington himself claimed two land tracts in this area, one at Ravenswood and another at Millwood, which inspired the park's original name. The park is home to a 1918 lock house, which now houses the Great Bend Museum. Unfortunately, that was closed when we were here late on a Saturday but we were able to explore the park and enjoy being near the Ohio River. The park includes a refreshed Civil War Trails marker commemorating Confederate Gen. Albert Jenkins' crossing of the Ohio River at Ravenswood to capture Racine, Ohio. There is plenty of parking, some picnic and playground facilities and a boat launch. All have a view of the beautiful William S. Ritchie Jr. Bridge. [Review 586 of 2025 - 170 in West Virginia - 24147 overall]

Tonight went to Ravenswood Riverfront Park to see the Christmas Lights with Kayla Beth Fields and…read moregrandbabies Saige & Deacon Hunt. We had a really nice time seeing all the lights. The day was long but full of so much love and fun!!!

Hocking Hills State Park is simply magical. Once you step onto the trails, it does not even feel…read morelike you are still in Ohio. We are so used to the rolling hills, corn and soybean fields of the Midwest. It truly feels like stepping into another world. We visited on a Wednesday - after the busy summer season - school back in session. I was surprised to still see quite a few people around the main attractions, especially Old Man's Cave, Devil's Bathtub and Cedar Falls, but once we moved farther along the trail, it became quiet and very peaceful. We hiked approximately for seven miles. The trails are marked with color codes on the trees but what I was missing where clear signs along the trail. It was difficult at times to determine if we where still on the right one. We ended up taking a wrong turn at one point and ended up on the purple trail instead of the red one we originally wanted to hike. But still - it was honestly one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done. Hiking always recharges my soul, and this place certainly did that. The rock formations, caves, waterfalls, moss and forest scenery are absolutely breathtaking. That being said, some portions of the trail can be challenging. There are steep climbs, uneven ground and areas that can become slippery from the moisture and moss. At times, we had to steady ourselves on rocks or trees while climbing. Good hiking shoes are an absolute must, and be sure to bring a snack and plenty of water, especially on a warm day.

Wow is this a beautiful state park!…read more We went hiking on a Saturday which was crazy packed, but it was still stunning to home through gorges. Everything was beautiful! One downside is that they had stinky compost toilets even at the visitor's center.