National Parks in Ohio Map

Best National Parks in Ohio

1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

   Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only park in Ohio designated as a National Park. It is located a short drive south of Cleveland and north of Akron. This picturesque national park in Ohio is spread across a total area of 51 sq mi (132 sq km). The natural beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley along the 22 miles (35 km) of winding Cuyahoga River will mesmerize you.

   Once you visit the place, you can experience the lush forests, steep valley walls, waterfalls, ravines, rolling floodplain, and a large variety of wildlife. This river covers a total of 33,000 acres in northeastern Ohio. You’ll find more than 200 bird species and a wide array of native wildlife (such as foxes, deers, weasels, and many more).

   Enjoy the backcountry primitive trails including the graded Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Get a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and enjoy the exhibits and concerts. Enjoy your hike, ride, bike, golf, picnic, ski, fish, and other activities.

   The Towpath Trail is a major draw. Besides its historical significance, it has come up as a great path for biking, walking, and enjoying the park and river. Another famous natural feature of this national park is the Brandywine Falls. There are around 70 waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

   The federal-style building in the park is the Frazee House. This early 1,800s building has become a favorite spot for travelers. During winter, this place gets filled with at least 4 inches of snow and that’s why it has become a favorite spot for the Winter Sports Center at Kendall Park.

   Cuyahoga Valley National Park has come up as one of the most preferred places for recreation, educational opportunities, and aesthetics.

Best National Historic Parks in Ohio

1. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park (Dayton, OH)

   This national park in Dayton showcases Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and Aviation Trail Visitors Center and Museum. This park has an 84-acre pasture called Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center which has become famous because this is where the Wright brothers developed and flew their planes.

2. Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (Chillicothe, OH)

   This national historical park in south-central Ohio is situated around 40 miles (64 km) south of Columbus. You can visit this park round the year, offering you the opportunity of touring Indian-built structures. The park consists of earthen mounds, which were made by ancient native people living in the area.

   You’ll find different shapes of these mounds, arranged in a pattern across the entire Ohio River valley. Travelers can enjoy guided tours of the place. Don’t forget to visit the museum if you are keen to learn about the people who lived on this land for thousands of years.

Best National Historic Sites in Ohio

1. Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis (Toledo, OH)

   This historic site is categorized as an affiliated area that is located southwest of Toledo. You can visit this place all year round, offering you the opportunity of visiting an 18th-century battle site.

   If you get thrilled by the historical artifacts then witness the battle between the US military (led by General "Mad" Anthony Wayne) and the Native American warriors (led by Miami Chief Little Turtle) on August 20, 1794. Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis showcase one of the three most important battles of the Revolutionary War. This US victory led to the westward expansion of the Northwest Territory.

2. First Ladies National Historic Site (Canton, OH)

   First Ladies National Historic Site, categorized as National Park, is located in northeastern Ohio in downtown Canton. You can visit the park all year round. Witness a restored house to get a feel of the contributions of the US first ladies for hundreds of years.

   The First Ladies National Historic Site is the place where Ida Saxton grew up and went on to become the wife of President William McKinley. This house has been restored authentically with period furnishings. First Ladies NHS in Canton has two buildings. While one is the City National Bank Building (built-in 1895), the other is the First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley home (built-in 1841).

3. James A. Garfield National Historic Site (Mentor, OH)

   James A. Garfield National Historic Site, categorized as National Park, is located in northeastern Ohio. It is just 25 miles (40 km) east of Cleveland. This park gives you an opportunity to tour the home of President Garfield. You can visit this historic site all year round.

   This home was bought by President Garfield for his family in 1876. This house received prominence when he campaigned in 1880 to become the 20th President of the United States from the front porch of this house. A memorial library was built by his wife in honor of her late husband after he was assassinated. This was the first presidential library. The porch of this building serves as a gateway to the story of the Garfield family.

4. William Howard Taft National Historic Site (Cincinnati, OH)

   William Howard Taft National Historic Site is situated on one of the prominent hilltops. It consists of a two-story Greek Revival house. This is where William Howard Taft was born and grew up. This historic site, categorized as National Park, highlights the environment that shaped Taft's character and philosophy. The Taft family produced outstanding leaders over the years because of hard work, good education, and an interest in civic duty.

Best National Memorials, Monuments, & Trails in Ohio

1. David Berger National Memorial (Beachwood, OH)

   David Berger National Memorial, categorized as an Affiliated Area, honors the memory of David Berger. He was an American citizen, who was one of 11 Israeli athletes killed in Germany’s Munich at the 1972 Olympic Games. This memorial has been dedicated to the memory of David and ten other athletes who died on that day, ending their dreams abruptly and tragically.

2. Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial (Put-in-Bay, OH)

   This national park was established for honoring those who fought during the War of 1812 in the Battle of Lake Erie. Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial celebrates the long-lasting peace among the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. This memorial includes 352 feet (4,224 m) high Doric column over Lake Erie. It is located 5 miles (8 km) from the longest undefended border in the world.

3. Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument (Xenia, OH)

   Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument is the only national monument in Ohio. It is categorized as a National Park. This monument is located in southwestern Ohio (around 20 miles or 32 km east of Dayton). Only scheduled guided tours or visits are allowed in this park.

   In 1889, Charles Young became the third African American to graduate from West Point’s United States Military Academy. Born to enslaved parents in 1864, Young went on to become the highest-ranking African American officer in the US Army. Charles Young became the first African American who commanded troops that oversaw Sequoia and General Grant National Park.

   This national monument was dedicated in 2013 to celebrating the career of Charles Young and also the history of the Buffalo Soldiers in the US Army.

4. North Country National Scenic Trail (Seven States-New York to North Dakota MI, MN, ND, NY, OH, PA, VT, WI)

   North Country is the seven-state scenic trail system located in Ohio. It is categorized as an Affiliated Area. This National Scenic Trail starts in eastern Ohio, heads south, and then again spreads towards northern Ohio before moving into Michigan.

   The North Country National Scenic Trail actually starts in New York, moves through 7 states, and ends in North Dakota. This 4,600 miles (7,403 km) long trail is one of the longest among the 11 national scenic trails in the US. North Country trail helps to connect historic, cultural, and scenic areas.

5. Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (Sixteen States: IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, WA, WV)

   Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail is a sixteen-state historic trail system that is around 4,900 miles (7,886 km) long. It starts from Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh and continues till Oregon’s Astoria (which is located at the mouth of the Columbia River). This trail follows Lewis and Clark Expedition’s historic outbound and inbound routes and also includes a preparatory section from Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh to Illinois’ Wood River.