SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE
Southwestern Ohio is dotted with open space and panoramic parks that offer hiking and biking trails, campsites, shimmering lakes, and wooded beauty. Several of the state parks provide resort amenities and a vacation paradise atmosphere. Deep green valleys, rolling hills, and wondrous rock outcroppings and formations create a scenic backdrop for every imaginable outdoor adventure. Within the region’s cities and towns, local parks are filled with sports facilities and recreation programs ensure an active lifestyle for residents of all ages.
Regional State Parks
Adams Lake State Park
14633 State Route 41
West Union 740-858-6652
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Alum Creek State Park
3615 S. Old State Road
Delaware 740-548-4631
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
A.W. Marion State Park
7317 Warner Huffer Road
Circleville 740-869-3124
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Buck Creek State Park
1901 Buck Creek Lane
Springfield 937-322-5284
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Buckeye Lake State Park
2905 Liebs Island Road
Millersport 740-467-2690
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Caesar Creek State Park
8570 East State Route 73
Waynesville 513-897-3055
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Cowan Lake State Park
1750 Osborn Road
Wilmington 937-382-1096
Camping 866-644-6727
Marina 937-289-2656
Cottage 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Deer Creek State Park
20635 Waterloo Road
Mt. Sterling 740-869-3124
Campground 740-869-3508
Golf Course 740-869-3088
Lake Conditions 740-869-2243
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
East Fork State Park
3294 Elklick Road
Bethel 513-734-4323
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Great Seal State Park
635 Rocky Road
Chillicothe 740-887-4818
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Hueston Woods State Park
6301 Park Office Road
College Corner 513-523-6347
Golf Course 513-523-8081
Campground 513-523-1060
Lodge 513-664-3500
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Jackson Lake State Park
35 Tommy Been Road
Oak Hill 740-682-6197
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
John Bryan State Park
3790 State Route 370
Yellow Springs 937-767-1274
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Kiser Lake State Park
4889 N. State Route 235
St. Paris 937-362-3822
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Lake White State Park
2767 State Route 551
Waverly 740-493-2212
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Little Miami State Park & National Scenic River
8570 East State Route 73
Waynesville 513-897-3055
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Madison Lake State Park
20635 Waterloo Road
Mt. Sterling 740-869-3124
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Paint Creek State Park
14265 U.S. Route 50
Bainbridge 937-365-1401
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Pike Lake State Park
1847 Pike Lake Road
Bainbridge 740- 493-2212
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Rocky Fork State Park
9800 North Shore Drive
Hillsboro 937-393-4284
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Scioto Trail State Park
144 Lake Road
Chillicothe 740-887-4818
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Shawnee State Park
4404 State Route 125
Portsmouth 740-858-6652
Golf Course 740-858-6681
Campground 740-858-4561
Resort Lodge 740-858-6621
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Stonelick State Park
2895 Lake Drive
Pleasant Plain 513-734-4323
Camping 866-644-6727
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Sycamore State Park
4675 N. Diamond Mill Road
Trotwood 513-523-6347
https://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Nature Centers & Preserves
Aullwood Audubon Center & Farm
1000 Aullwood Road
Dayton 937-890-7360
https://aullwood.audubon.org/
Aullwood Garden MetroPark
955 Aullwood Road
Englewood 937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
Avon Woods Nature Center
4235 Paddock Road
Cincinnati 513-861-3435
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
Brukner Nature Center
5995 Horseshoe Bend Road
Troy 937-698-6493
www.bruknernaturecenter.com/
Caldwell Nature Center
430 W. North Bend Road
Cincinnati 513-761-4313
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
California Woods Nature Center
5400 Kellogg Avenue
Cincinnati 513-231-8678
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
Carriage Hill MetroPark
7800 E. Shull Road
Dayton 937-278-2609
https://www.metroparks.org/
Cincinnati Nature Center
4949 Tealtown Road
Milford 513-831-1711
https://www.cincynature.org/
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street
Cincinnati 513-281-4700
Toll free 800-94-HIPPO
https://cincinnatizoo.org/
Clifton Mill & Gorge
75 Water Street
Clifton 937-767-5501
https://www.cliftonmill.com/
Cox Arboretum MetroPark
6733 Springboro Pike
Dayton 937-434-9005
https://www.metroparks.org/
Culberson State Nature Preserve
Cowan Lake State Park
1750 Osborn Road
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/culberson-woods-state-nature-preserve
Darke County Nature Center
Shawnee Nature Preserve
4267 State Route 502 West
Greenville 937-548-0165
www.darkecountyparks.org
Deeds Point MetroPark
510 Webster Street
Dayton 937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
Eastwood MetroPark
1385 Harshman Road
Dayton 937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
Edge of Appalachia Preserve System
Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati 513-287-7000
Toll free 800-733-2077
https://www.cincymuseum.org/nature/
Englewood MetroPark
4361 National Road
Butler Twp 937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
The Garbry Big Woods Reserve & Sanctuary
6660 Casstown-Sidney Road
Piqua 973-335-6273
https://www.miamicountyparks.com/
Germantown MetroPark
7101 Conservancy Road
Germantown 937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
Grant Park Nature Nook
501 Normandy Ridge
Centerville 937-433-5155
https://www.cwpd.org/
Great Miami River Recreation Trail
Dye Mill Road
Troy 973-335-6273
https://www.miamicountyparks.com/
Hauck Botanic Garden
2625 Reading Road
Cincinnati 513-352-4080
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
Hidden Meadows Day Camp
501 Normandy Ridge
Centerville 937-433-5155
https://www.cwpd.org/
Highfield Discovery Garden
Glenwood Gardens
10405 Springfield Pike
Woodlawn 513-771-8733
https://www.greatparks.org/parks/glenwood-gardens/the-highfield-discovery-garden
Hills & Dales MetroPark
2655 Patterson Boulevard
Kettering 937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
Huffman MetroPark
4439 Lower Valley Park
Fairborn 937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
Indian Mound Reserve & Cliff Falls
Greene County Parks & Trials
Xenia 937-562-6440
https://www.gcparkstrails.com/parks/indian-mound-reserve/
Island MetroPark
101 E. Helena Street
Dayton 937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
James Ranch Park
177 Fairgrounds Road
Xenia 937-562-7440
https://www.gcparkstrails.com/
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati 513-352-4080
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
LaBoiteaux Nature Center
5400 Lanius Lane
Cincinnati 513-542-2909
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
Mount Airy Forest & Arboretum
5100 Arboretum Road
Cincinnati 513-352-4080
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
Narrows Reserve & Nature Center
2575 Indian Ripple Road
Beavercreek Twp 937-562-7440
https://www.gcparkstrails.com/
Parky’s Farm
10037 Daly Road
Cincinnati 513-521-7275
https://www.greatparks.org/
Possum Creek MetroPark
4790 Frytown Road
Dayton 937-276-7062
https://www.metroparks.org/
RiverScape MetroPark
Interactive Fountains & Gardens
111 E. Monument Avenue
Dayton 937-274-0126
https://www.metroparks.org/
Spring Lakes Park
2191 Ferry Road
Bellbrook 937-562-7440
https://www.gcparkstrails.com/
Trailside Nature Center
Brookline Drive in Burnet Woods
Cincinnati 513-751-3679
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
Wolff Planetarium
3075 Cliff Top Drive
Cincinnati 513-751-3679
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
Parks & Recreation Contacts
National Park Service
Northeast Region
215-597-7013
https://www.nps.gov/index.htm
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
State Parks & Resorts
614-265-6561
Watercraft
877-4BOATER
Natural Areas/Preserves
614-265-6453
https://ohiodnr.gov/
City of Cincinnati Parks
513-352-4080
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/
City of Dayton Parks & Recreation
937-333-8400
https://www.daytonohio.gov/422/Recreation
Darke County Park District
937-548-0165
http://www.darkecountyparks.org/
Five Rivers MetroParks
937-275-PARK
https://www.metroparks.org/
Greene County Parks
937-562-7440
https://www.gcparkstrails.com/
Hamilton County Park District
513-521-7275
https://www.greatparks.org/
Metro Parks of Butler County
513-867-5835
877-PARKFUN
https://butlercountymetroparks.org/
Miami County Park District
973-335-6273
https://www.miamicountyparks.com/
National Trail Parks & Recreation District
Clark County/Springfield Area
937-328-7275
https://ntprd.org/
Warren County Park District
Lebanon Area
513-695-1109
Cincinnati Area
513-925-1109
Franklin/Middletown
513-261-1109
Dayton Area
937-425-1109
https://www.co.warren.oh.us/parks/
