76. Miami Whitewater Forest Lake
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 367-4774
Description: Fishing is by rental boat only and electric trolling motors are permitted. You can rent a rowboat, pedal boat, or canoe. The cost is $8.45 an hour. There’s also a bait-and-tackle shop. Bank fishing is allowed only in the cove adjacent to the visitor center. In the winter, ice fishing is allowed.
77. Sharon Woods Lake
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 521-7275
Address: 11450 U.S. Highway 42
Description: Those in the know say this 35-acre lake has the best bass fishing of any county-owned lake in the region. Fishing is by rental boat only, and electric trolling motors are permitted. A boathouse rents rowboats, canoes, pedal boats, and hydrobikes. The cost is $8.45 an hour. There’s also bank fishing along the pier.
78. Stonelick State Park
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 625-7544
Address: 2895 Lake Drive
Description: Stonelick Lake offers bountiful bass, bluegill, and crappie. The lake is relatively small for a state park, just 200 acres, and quiet (gas motorboats are forbidden). Stonelick is open 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. year-round.
79. Winton Woods Lake
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 521-7275
Description: This 188-acre lake underwent an extensive restoration project in the last few years, restoring 37 more acres of lake surface area. The boathouse rents rowboats, canoes, pedal boats, and hydrobikes for recreational activities. The cost is $5.66 for a half hour up to $11.32 for the entire day. Bluegill, crappie, bass, and channel catfish are stocked.
80. Embshoff Woods & Nature Preserve (nine holes)
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 4050 Paul Road
Description: There are literally dozens of options for both the amateur and the seasoned hiker in the region. Wherever you choose to hike, do pick up a trail map at the visitor centers or park offices because it’s easy to get lost on some of the more winding trails. Other warnings: There are two poisonous snake species in the tristate area: the copperhead and the timber rattler. Neither is aggressive, and in fact there are no reports a backpacker has ever been bitten. Still, it’s wise to hit the encyclopedia if you don’t know what these two snakes look like, and pack a snakebite kit. Those with an abnormal fear of snakes, venomous or otherwise, should wait until after the first frost in fall—you won’t see a single slithering creature.
81. Miami Whitewater Forest (nine holes)
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 367-4774
Description: There are literally dozens of options for both the amateur and the seasoned hiker in the region. Wherever you choose to hike, do pick up a trail map at the visitor centers or park offices because it’s easy to get lost on some of the more winding trails. Other warnings: There are two poisonous snake species in the tristate area: the copperhead and the timber rattler. Neither is aggressive, and in fact there are no reports a backpacker has ever been bitten. Still, it’s wise to hit the encyclopedia if you don’t know what these two snakes look like, and pack a snakebite kit. Those with an abnormal fear of snakes, venomous or otherwise, should wait until after the first frost in fall—you won’t see a single slithering creature.
82. Mount Airy Forest (18 holes)
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 352-4094
Address: 5083 Colerain Avenue
Description: There are literally dozens of options for both the amateur and the seasoned hiker in the region. Wherever you choose to hike, do pick up a trail map at the visitor centers or park offices because it’s easy to get lost on some of the more winding trails. Other warnings: There are two poisonous snake species in the tristate area: the copperhead and the timber rattler. Neither is aggressive, and in fact there are no reports a backpacker has ever been bitten. Still, it’s wise to hit the encyclopedia if you don’t know what these two snakes look like, and pack a snakebite kit. Those with an abnormal fear of snakes, venomous or otherwise, should wait until after the first frost in fall—you won’t see a single slithering creature.
83. Winton Woods (18 holes)
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 521-7275
Description: There are literally dozens of options for both the amateur and the seasoned hiker in the region. Wherever you choose to hike, do pick up a trail map at the visitor centers or park offices because it’s easy to get lost on some of the more winding trails. Other warnings: There are two poisonous snake species in the tristate area: the copperhead and the timber rattler. Neither is aggressive, and in fact there are no reports a backpacker has ever been bitten. Still, it’s wise to hit the encyclopedia if you don’t know what these two snakes look like, and pack a snakebite kit. Those with an abnormal fear of snakes, venomous or otherwise, should wait until after the first frost in fall—you won’t see a single slithering creature.
84. Woodland Mound (18 holes)
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 474-0580
Description: There are literally dozens of options for both the amateur and the seasoned hiker in the region. Wherever you choose to hike, do pick up a trail map at the visitor centers or park offices because it’s easy to get lost on some of the more winding trails. Other warnings: There are two poisonous snake species in the tristate area: the copperhead and the timber rattler. Neither is aggressive, and in fact there are no reports a backpacker has ever been bitten. Still, it’s wise to hit the encyclopedia if you don’t know what these two snakes look like, and pack a snakebite kit. Those with an abnormal fear of snakes, venomous or otherwise, should wait until after the first frost in fall—you won’t see a single slithering creature.
85. Caesar Creek State Park
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 897-3055
Address: 4020 North Clarksville Road
Description: Caesar Creek has 43 miles of easy to rugged trails, all excellently maintained. The terrain is incredibly varied, ranging from meadows to gorges. A wheelchair-accessible trail begins near the dam overlook. The Little Miami Trail can also be accessed near Corwin, north of the park.The most notable landscape features are waterfalls, as well as Caesar Creek Lake and Caesar Creek Gorge, formed by glacial meltwater and over 180 feet deep. The Gorge Trail is tough; for easier hikes, consider the Flat Fork Ridge/Wellman Meadows Trail. Day-issue permits are available for fossil collecting from the visitor center.
86. Cincinnati Nature Center
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 831-1711
Address: 4949 Tealtown Road
Description: Hiking is the main activity at this 1,425-acre nature preserve. You can choose from 15 miles of trails that range from the wheelchair-accessible Stanley Rowe All Persons Trail to some fairly long and steeply sloped trails. Terrain ranges from open meadows to fairly deep woods. Note to bird-watchers: Some 150 species of birds have been spotted here. You also can find 237 kinds of wildflowers blooming here at various times of year.
87. Cowan Lake State Park
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 382-1096
Address: 1750 Osbourn Road
Description: A perfect park for the beginner. There are 5 miles of trails; the Emerald Trail is considered easiest, the Lotus Cove Trail moderate. The terrain, shaped by a glacier 10,000 years ago, varies from shale to lily ponds. Fossils abound. There are 200 campsites on four loops located on the north side of Cowan Lake. Conveniences include restrooms and shower stations, as well as a park.
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
89. Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: The Fort Thomas Tree Commission can be thanked for preserving the city’s most beautiful old-growth forest. Its 1.1-mile trail winds across lush green slopes, offering views of wood bridges and at least 15 different species of trees (including buckeyes), plus wildflowers and numerous birds. Bikes are not permitted on this trail.
90. Hueston Woods State Park and Nature Preserve
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 523-6347
Description: A National Natural Landmark, the preserve offers all the amenities: lodge, campsites, cabins, and more. Hit the restrooms and drinking fountain at the start of Big Woods Trail. Terrain is tall timber, primarily beech and sugar maple—don’t miss autumn here if you like to gawk at colorful leaves. And if you visit at the end of winter, you’re sure to be offered some freshly tapped maple syrup. The 200-acre nature preserve within the park is a great place for hiking and bird-watching. One hundred and fifty species of birds have been spotted here, including hawks and woodpeckers. Wildflowers put on amazing displays in almost every season.