14 Scenic Ohio State Parks To Experience This March In Ohio
March in Ohio is that magical in-between time when winter starts loosening its grip and the first real signs of spring begin to appear. Bare trees start budding, waterfalls run strong from snowmelt, and the trails are blissfully crowd-free.
If you have been waiting for the perfect excuse to get outside and explore, this is your month. I have put together a list of 14 state parks across Ohio that are absolutely worth visiting right now, from misty gorges and glassy lakes to forested ridges and quiet shorelines.
Whether you are a seasoned hiker or someone who just wants a peaceful walk with a good view, there is something here for you. Pack your layers, lace up your boots, and get ready to fall in love with Ohio all over again.
1. Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, Ohio
Few places in Ohio stop you in your tracks quite like the moment you first see Old Man’s Cave or the thundering curtain of water at Cedar Falls in early March.
Hocking Hills State Park, located at 19852 OH-664 in Logan, Ohio, is one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in the entire Midwest.
The park features deep recess caves, towering hemlock trees, and sandstone cliffs draped in moss that glow a vivid green after winter rains.
March is a particularly special time to visit because the waterfalls are at peak flow from snowmelt, and the gorges carry a cool, misty air that feels almost cinematic.
The trails range from easy paved paths to more rugged routes, making it accessible for most fitness levels.
Gorge Trail connects several major landmarks in one satisfying loop, so you get maximum scenery for your effort.
Arrive early on weekends to snag parking, because even in early spring, this park draws a devoted crowd of nature lovers ready to soak it all in.
2. Mohican State Park, Loudonville, Ohio
Tucked into the rolling hills of north-central Ohio near Loudonville, Mohican State Park offers a kind of quiet beauty that sneaks up on you the longer you stay.
Located at 3116 State Route 3, the park sits alongside the Clear Fork of the Mohican River, a winding waterway that reflects the pale blue sky of early March like a natural mirror.
Covered bridges, towering pines, and rugged gorges make this park feel like it belongs in a storybook rather than the middle of the Midwest.
Hiking here in March means fewer crowds, softer light filtering through bare branches, and the occasional surprise of early wildflowers pushing up through the leaf litter.
The park has about 13 miles of hiking trails, with additional routes in the surrounding state forest, ranging from flat riverside paths to steeper climbs with rewarding overlooks of the gorge below.
Fishing enthusiasts will also find the Clear Fork well-stocked with trout, making it a great multi-activity destination.
Bring a thermos of something warm and plan to spend a full day exploring every bend in the river.
3. Salt Fork State Park, Lore City, Ohio
Ohio’s largest state park is not just big on size, it is big on atmosphere, especially when March rolls in and the landscape shifts between dormant brown and hopeful green.
Salt Fork State Park, found at 14755 Cadiz Rd in Lore City, Ohio, wraps around a sprawling 2,952-acre lake that mirrors the dramatic skies of late winter perfectly.
The park covers more than 17,000 acres of forest, making it one of the most immersive natural retreats in the state.
Birdwatchers will have a field day in March, as migratory species begin moving through and eagles are sometimes spotted soaring above the lake.
Hiking trails wind through hardwood forests and along the lake’s edge, offering constantly changing views that reward those who take their time.
The lodge and cabins are open year-round, so you can extend your visit into a full weekend without roughing it too hard.
Salt Fork has a way of making you feel genuinely far from everything, even though you are only a couple of hours from most major Ohio cities.
4. Geneva State Park, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio
Standing on the shore of Lake Erie in early March, with cold wind in your face and waves crashing in from Canada, is one of those experiences that makes you feel genuinely alive.
Geneva State Park, located at 4499 Padanarum Rd in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio, offers a striking stretch of Lake Erie beachfront that looks completely different in March than it does in summer.
The beach is wide, the crowds are gone, and the lake takes on a dramatic steel-grey color that serious photographers absolutely love.
The park’s marina area is peaceful and photogenic in the off-season, and the surrounding forest trails are perfect for a brisk early spring walk.
Geneva-on-the-Lake itself is a charming small town that has its own personality outside of the summer tourist season.
Watch for waterfowl along the shoreline, as this stretch of Lake Erie is a prime stopover for migrating birds in late winter and early spring.
Layer up, bring your camera, and prepare for a coastal Ohio experience that genuinely surprises most first-time visitors.
5. John Bryan State Park, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Right next door to the beloved village of Yellow Springs, John Bryan State Park is the kind of place that feels like a well-kept local secret even though it absolutely should not be.
Situated at 3790 State Route 370 in Yellow Springs, Ohio, this park preserves a stunning limestone gorge carved by the Little Miami River over thousands of years.
The exposed cliff faces and rocky outcroppings are especially striking in March, when the trees are still bare and nothing obstructs your view of the gorge’s dramatic walls.
Trails here range from easy riverside walks to more challenging routes along the gorge rim, giving you choices depending on how adventurous you are feeling.
The park is also a launching point for paddlers who want to float the Little Miami River as temperatures begin to climb.
After your hike, the short drive into Yellow Springs rewards you with independent coffee shops, bookstores, and local restaurants that have real personality.
John Bryan is proof that Ohio’s natural wonders do not always require a long drive to reach.
6. Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio
Northwest Ohio tends to get overlooked in travel conversations, but Maumee Bay State Park makes a strong case for why that needs to change immediately.
Located at 1400 State Park Road in Oregon, Ohio, this park sits right along the western end of Lake Erie and encompasses a fascinating mix of open beach, coastal wetlands, and woodland trails.
March is prime time for birdwatching here, as the wetland boardwalk trail becomes a front-row seat to one of the most impressive migratory bird shows in the region.
Shorebirds, waterfowl, and early songbirds all pass through in significant numbers as the season shifts, making this a must-visit for anyone with binoculars and patience.
The park’s nature center provides helpful context about the local ecosystem and the seasonal wildlife patterns you can expect to see.
Even without the birds, the flat, open landscape and big Lake Erie skies give Maumee Bay a peaceful, almost meditative quality.
It is a slower pace than some of Ohio’s gorge parks, but that is exactly the point for visitors who come here to breathe and reset.
7. Punderson State Park, Newbury, Ohio
Punderson State Park has an old-world charm that sets it apart from every other state park in Ohio, starting with its centerpiece Tudor-style manor lodge that looks like it belongs in the English countryside.
Found at 11755 Kinsman Rd in Newbury, Ohio, the park surrounds a deep glacial lake that stays remarkably clear even in the shoulder season.
Punderson Lake is Ohio’s deepest natural lake, formed by glacial activity thousands of years ago, and its still, reflective surface in early March creates some genuinely beautiful photo opportunities.
The wooded trails around the lake are quiet and well-maintained, offering a peaceful escape without requiring serious hiking gear.
The manor lodge is open for overnight stays and dining, which makes Punderson an ideal base for a relaxed weekend getaway in the Geauga County countryside.
March visitors often have the park almost entirely to themselves, which adds a serene, exclusive feeling to the whole experience.
If you have never stayed overnight at an Ohio state park lodge, Punderson is hands down the most atmospheric place to start.
8. East Harbor State Park, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio
Perched on the Marblehead Peninsula along Lake Erie, East Harbor State Park delivers a coastal experience that feels surprisingly wild and remote for a place so close to major Ohio cities.
The park is located at 1169 N Buck Rd in Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio, and it features three distinct harbor areas, open meadows, and one of the longest stretches of Lake Erie beach in the state park system.
March visits here feel like having a private beach, with only the sound of waves and wind for company on most weekdays.
The park’s lagoon and marshland areas are excellent for spotting early migrating waterfowl, including ducks, geese, and the occasional great blue heron standing perfectly still in the shallows.
Cycling is a popular way to explore the flat park roads, and March’s cooler temperatures make pedaling around the peninsula genuinely comfortable.
The nearby town of Marblehead is worth a quick detour for its iconic lighthouse and charming small-town waterfront.
East Harbor rewards the visitors who arrive with no particular agenda and just let the lake set the pace for the day.
9. Alum Creek State Park, Delaware, Ohio
Just north of Columbus, Alum Creek State Park offers a surprisingly expansive natural retreat that many central Ohio residents treat as their go-to outdoor escape all year long.
The park office is located at 3615 S Old State Rd in Delaware, Ohio, and the park centers around Alum Creek Lake, a 3,387-acre reservoir that stretches for miles through rolling central Ohio countryside.
March is a fantastic month to visit because the lake is calm, the fishing picks up as water temperatures start rising, and the shoreline trails are refreshingly uncrowded.
The park has over 20 miles of multi-use trails that wind through open meadows and wooded areas, perfect for hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners looking to shake off winter restlessness.
Equestrian trails also run through the park, so do not be surprised if you share a path with a few horses on a crisp Saturday morning.
The off-leash dog beach is a popular spot even in the off-season, making Alum Creek especially beloved by pet owners.
It is the kind of park that keeps pulling you back every season because there is always something slightly different to discover.
10. Caesar Creek State Park, Waynesville, Ohio
Named after a freed man who reportedly lived near the creek in the 1700s, Caesar Creek State Park carries a layered history that makes exploring it feel even more meaningful.
Located at 8570 State Route 73 in Waynesville, Ohio, the park surrounds a beautiful 2,830-acre lake that is a magnet for anglers, kayakers, and casual shoreline walkers throughout the year.
March is a particularly good month to visit if you enjoy fossil hunting, as the park’s spillway area is one of the best places in Ohio to find ancient marine fossils embedded in exposed limestone.
The park has nearly 45 miles of trails, ranging from easy lake-view loops to longer backcountry routes that pass through quiet forest and open meadows.
Birdwatching is productive in early spring, with ospreys and bald eagles occasionally spotted hunting over the reservoir.
The visitor center near the spillway is worth a stop for its informative displays about the region’s natural and human history.
Caesar Creek has a way of turning a simple day hike into an unexpected adventure, especially when you find your first 400-million-year-old fossil.
11. Deer Creek State Park, Mount Sterling, Ohio
There is a relaxed, unhurried energy to Deer Creek State Park that makes it feel like the kind of place where you finally stop checking your phone and actually look around.
Situated at 20635 State Park Road 20 in Mount Sterling, Ohio, the park features a 1,277-acre lake surrounded by gently rolling farmland and mixed hardwood forest in central Ohio.
Fishing is arguably the park’s biggest draw, with Deer Creek Lake known for producing impressive catches of saugeye, bass, and crappie, especially as water temperatures rise in March.
The park’s lodge and cottages offer comfortable lodging with lake views, making it a solid option for a low-key overnight trip without the need for a tent.
Hiking trails loop around portions of the lake and through the surrounding forest, offering peaceful morning walks with frequent wildlife sightings including deer, wild turkey, and red-tailed hawks.
The campground is spacious and well-maintained, popular with families who appreciate its open layout and easy lake access.
Deer Creek is the kind of park that does not try to impress you, it just quietly delivers a genuinely good time every single visit.
12. Burr Oak State Park, Glouster, Ohio
Nestled deep in the forested hills of Morgan and Athens counties, Burr Oak State Park has a rugged, Appalachian character that feels distinctly different from the flatter parks in northern and central Ohio.
Located at 10220 Burr Oak Lodge Rd in Glouster, Ohio, the park wraps around a 664-acre lake that sits within a landscape of steep ridges and dense hardwood forest.
Hiking here in March offers an almost meditative experience, with bare trees opening up long-distance ridge views that are completely hidden once summer foliage fills in.
The park’s trails range from short lakeside paths to more challenging climbs that reward you with sweeping views over the surrounding hills and hollows of southeast Ohio.
Burr Oak Lodge sits right on the water and is open year-round, offering cozy rooms, a full-service restaurant, and a front porch that overlooks the lake.
March mornings here often bring a low mist rolling across the water that makes the whole scene look like a painting you cannot quite believe is real.
If you want to experience the wild, quiet soul of Appalachian Ohio, Burr Oak is your best starting point.
13. Shawnee State Park, West Portsmouth, Ohio
Known locally as the Little Smokies, Shawnee State Park lives up to its nickname with ridge after ridge of forested hills that stretch to the horizon in every direction.
Located at 4404 State Route 125 in West Portsmouth, Ohio, the park sits within Shawnee State Forest, one of the largest contiguous forests in the state, covering more than 60,000 acres of southern Ohio hill country.
March is arguably the best month to hike the ridgeline trails here, because the bare canopy allows panoramic views across the valleys below that are simply not possible in summer.
The park has over 100 miles of trails when you include the surrounding forest, offering everything from short interpretive walks to multi-day backpacking routes.
Wildlife sightings are common in early spring, with white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various raptors frequently spotted along the ridges and in the hollows.
The park’s lodge and cottages provide a comfortable home base for exploring the area over multiple days.
Shawnee rewards the visitors who take their time with it, because every new trail reveals a slightly different angle on one of Ohio’s most spectacular natural landscapes.
14. Lake Hope State Park, McArthur, Ohio
Hidden away in the forested hollows of Vinton County, Lake Hope State Park is one of those places that makes you wonder why more people are not talking about it.
Located at 27331 State Route 278 in McArthur, Ohio, the park centers around a picturesque 120-acre lake nestled within Zaleski State Forest, surrounded by some of the most densely forested terrain in the state.
The area has a fascinating industrial history, with remnants of old iron furnaces scattered through the forest as quiet reminders of Ohio’s 19th-century iron industry.
March visits here feel like stepping into a landscape that has barely changed in a century, with mist rising off the lake in the morning and birdsong filling the trees by midday.
The park’s trail system connects with Zaleski State Forest’s backpacking trail, offering serious hikers a multi-day adventure through deep Appalachian Ohio wilderness.
Cottages are available for those who prefer a comfortable base after a long day on the trails.
Lake Hope is quietly extraordinary, and once you visit, you will completely understand why it inspires such fierce loyalty among those who have discovered it.