Day trips and over nights local to Cincinnati (Bowling Green, Green: rent, university)

[dankspeed]

The wife and I would like to spend our weekends this spring and coming summer visiting local places of interest and parks with being able to camp a plus. We want to drive no further than 4 hours one-way. Any cool spots you could recommend would be great. Again theres no real request other than the four hour one way drive time.
Thanks everyone
dan

[wilson1010]

I like Serpent Mount Park and Hocking Hills.

[goyguy]

Natural Bridge State Park and Red River Gorge
Hueston Woods
Norris Lake, Tennessee
Brown County, Indiana
Bowling Green/Caves Region

...and thanks to I-75, you can get to the Smokies within four hours.

[aquila]

Lake Loramie State Park, northwest of Sidney.

Indian Lake State Park.

John Bryan State Park, which contains Clifton Gorge...a really cool spot to go see.

[aquila]

Originally Posted by goyguy

...and thanks to I-75, you can get to the Smokies within four hours.

Highly doubtful, unless you're breaking the speed limits in no traffic. It takes 4.5 hours alone just to get to Knoxville, and the Smokies are another 45 minutes past there.

Now.....Cumberland Falls is a viable option.

[wastina]

Rent a cabin at Hueston Woods. It's great fun, not expensive, and Oxford University is right there. Plus, you can visit Mt. Rumpke on the way!

[gman5431]

Hueston Woods is definately a nice place and its not too far away, just north of Oxford. You can rent cabins, camp or stay at the very nice lodge there.

When we go to camp, we hit up East Fork - its just past Batavia so its not far and its simple camping in nice wooded areas. Very easy for a nite of fun.

Ohio has a lot of nice state parks - so check out their web site as there are a few more within 4 hour drive.

Mammoth Cave is within 4 hours and you can camp there and of course go on the guided tours.

The Smokies would push 4 hours. You could probably get to the exit in 4 but would take close to another hour to get into Gatlinburg. For a long weekend, its worth it though.

Also, to the north there is Put In Bay, but that would be close to 4 hour limit as well.

G Man

[aquila]

Originally Posted by wastina

Rent a cabin at Hueston Woods. It's great fun, not expensive, and Oxford University is right there. Plus, you can visit Mt. Rumpke on the way!

No....Oxford University is in Oxford, England.

Miami University is in Oxford, Ohio.

And I agree about Hueston Woods.

And please don't encourage people to visit Mt. Rumpke. That's just plain cruel. LOL! We want them to enjoy their visit to the metro region...not plug their noses and hurl out their car windows as they drive by.

[aquila]

Guys, as someone who used to live south of Knoxville, I assure you it takes longer than 4 - 4.5 hours to get to the Smokies....It really IS pushing it to list the Smokies as being within 4 hours.

[dankspeed]

Thanks everybody. Love the suggestions.
We're planning a seperate trip to Gatlinburg this year. It usually takes us about 4.5 hrs to hit the exit then another hour or more to hit Gatlinburg.

Keep the ideas coming!
Thanks again.