Although there are several great metro parks located in Central Ohio, sometimes it is necessary to travel outside of the city limits for a little adventure. Located 90 minutes northeast of Downtown, Mohican State Park is the perfect destination. With over 1,100 acres, the park is full of limitless adventure. Hiking trails, waterfalls, covered bridges and hidden caves are sprinkled through the park and adjacent 4,500-acre state forest. The Mohican River and Clear Fork Gorge snake through the park and forest, allowing hikers, bikers, and riders beautiful views.
The park contains six walking trails of various difficulty levels and length, with each trail leading to a different scenic point. In addition, two mountain bike trails and three bridle trails are also available.
The park is in Loudonville, Ohio, a small town with a population less than 3,000. Home to several local restaurants and shops, this small town is not lacking in points of interest. If you get tired of hiking, take your pick of any number of canoe liveries in the area. The steady flowing Mohican River is the perfect setting for enjoying an afternoon in a canoe, raft, or kayak.
The park offers several lodging options, including campsites, cabins and lodges. Outside of the park, campgrounds located along the river offer easy access to swimming and canoeing. For those less adventurous visitors, nearby Landoll’s Mohican Castle offers private rooms for overnight guests. While the Castle offers traditional hotel accommodations such as continental breakfast, pool & spa, and welcoming lobby, the similarities end there. Every room in the castle is decorated in a traditional style that takes guests back in time. Nestled on a hill in the forest, the castle offers dining at an on-location bar and grille, an event space for weddings and receptions, and a spectacular view of the surrounding forest from the top of the tower – the view is well worth the 47 steps to the top.
Whether for a day-trip or weekend-long excursion, Mohican is the ideal location. Perfect for families with young children as well as the experienced hiker, the park will not disappoint.
For more information, visit parks.ohiodnr.gov/mohican.
Photos by Randi Walle.
