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(ODNR Release) – It may be nearing the end of summer but it’s not the end of fun at Ohio State Parks. With a full lineup of activities offered throughout the state, there is adventure in every direction!
On land or in water, under a cool tree canopy or by a campfire, no matter where you wander or what your interest, find it at one of Ohio’s 75 State Parks. Admission, parking, and programs are free at every Ohio State Park. Find an activity in your area:
Cowan Lake State Park
Friday, September 2
Youth Kayaking
- 1:00 p.m.
- Meet at the campground beach. Fifteen years old and younger. $3 vehicle admission into campground for non-registered campers.
Raptor and Reptile Feeding
- 4:00 p.m.
- Meet at the Nature Center.
Forest Meditation
- 6:00 p.m.
- Bring drinking water and something to sit on that’s easy to carry on a hike. Wear sturdy shoes. Hiking sticks are helpful but not required. Pre-registration is required. To register, email Amanda.wolski@dnr.ohio.gov Meet at the main office.
Nature Center Hours
- 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 3
Canoe and Kayak Excursion
- 9:00 a.m.
- Meet at the campground beach. Space is limited to 12. First come-first served. $3 vehicle admission into campground for non-registered campers.
Stand Up Paddleboarding
- 11:00 a.m.
- Meet at the campground beach, Space is limited. First come-first served. Sixteen years and older. $3 vehicle admission into campground for non-registered campers.
Youth Kayaking
- 1:00 p.m.
- Meet at the campground beach. Space is limited to 12. Fifteen years old and younger. $3 vehicle admission into campground for non-registered campers.
Nature Center Hours
- 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, September, 4
Animal Show
- 1:00 p.m.
- Meet at the Nature Center.
Nature Center Hours
- 12:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Deer Creek State Park
Saturday, September 3
Deer Creek Labor Day Fest
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Celebrate Labor Day with Deer Creek! Breakfast will be available for purchase between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. behind wash house 4.
There will also be activities for kids. All are welcome!
Nature Center Hours
1:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Snake Feeding
1:15 p.m.
Meet at the nature center to see how a snake can eat something larger than its head all at once!
Fantastic Furs
- 6:00 p.m.
- Join the naturalist in the Lodge lobby to learn about Ohio mammals and how their fur helps them!
Sunday, September 4
Creeking
- 11:00 a.m.
- Get your feet wet and learn about the critters in our waterways! All equipment provided. Please wear shoes that can get wet. Meet at the nature center for a hike to the creek.
Monday, September 5
Labor Day Archery
- 2:00 p.m.
- Join the naturalist to learn and practice your archery skills! All equipment will be provided. This is a fun activity for the whole family! Meet at the nature center.
Nature Center Hours
- 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hocking Hills - Saturday, September 3
- Nature Art10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
- Try your hand at making art using watercolor paint and items found in nature. Meet the naturalist at the campground amphitheater. Materials provided. This activity is for registered campground guests only.
- Roaming Reptiles10:00 a.m.
- Meet the resident reptiles of Hocking Hills at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. Our naturalists will be roaming around the visitor center with our resident box turtle and rat snake. Please feel free to stop by to take pictures and ask questions.
- Sunday, September 4
- Skulls and Furs10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Stop by the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center for a look at some of Ohio’s resident critters.
- Monday, September 5
- Guess the Predator10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Stop by the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center to guess the predators of Southern Ohio.
Lake Hope State Park - Friday, September 2
- Old’s Hollow Hike10:00 a.m.
- Join the naturalist on one of her favorite trails. See a pioneer cemetery and a recess cave along a 1.5-mile trail. Meet at the Hope Furnace. Sturdy, waterproof shoes are recommended.
- Snake Snacks1:00 p.m.
- Watch what happens when one of our resident snakes is served a delicious dish! Learn the strategies snakes use to capture and subdue prey then swallow and digest it whole. Meet at the Nature Center.
- What’s SUP?4:00 p.m.
- Come out to enjoy an afternoon on the lake and learn how to paddle a SUP! In this introductory-level program you will become familiar with the parts and pieces of a stand-up paddleboard and learn basic paddling techniques to set you up for success. Equipment provided. Ages 12 and up. Pre-registration is required and is limited to 5 participants. Register by emailing Lindsey.Gallaugher@dnr.ohio.gov at least 1 day in advance of your preferred program date. Meet at the boat ramp on OH-278.
- Saturday, September 3
- The Science of Bubbles11:00 a.m.
- Experiment with bubbles-making and learn where bubbles might “pop” up in nature. Prepare to get a little soapy! Meet at the Nature Center.
- Archery Afternoons3:00 p.m.
- Learn how to shoot arrows with a bow. Recommended for ages 8 and up. All equipment will be provided. Meet the naturalist at the archery range just past the beach house.
- Sunset Kayak5:30 p.m.
- Enjoy an evening on the water as the sun prepares to set and discover which of our nocturnal neighbors are just beginning to stir. Ages 12 and up. Pre-registration and prior kayaking experience are required. Register by emailing Lindsey.Gallaugher@dnr.ohio.gov . Meet at the shelter house parking area.
- Sunday, September 4
- Buzzard Cave BINGO!10:00 a.m.
- Join the naturalist on a guided hike to Buzzard Cave and fill your BINGO board up along the way! A small prize will be awarded to each participant who scores a BINGO! Meet at the Nature Center.
- Turtle Talk11:30 a.m.
- Learn about our resident turtles and how we care for them! Kids and adults will have an opportunity to help feed and exercise our turtles as we learn best practices in turtle management. Meet at the Nature Center.
- Leaf Chromatography2:00 p.m.
- Learn why leaves change color in the fall and use simple techniques to uncover their hidden mysteries! Experiment with natural inks and extracted pigments to create leaf-inspired art. All materials provided. Meet at the Nature Center.
Lake White State Park - Saturday, September 3
- Kayaking 10110:00 a.m.
- Learn the basics of kayaking, recommended for ages 7 and up. Kayaks, paddles, life jackets provided free of charge. Participants should be able to swim. Group size limited to 6 at a time. Lake White State Park boat ramp.
Paint Creek State Park - Saturday, September 3
- Explore the Shore8:00 a.m.
- Meet at the Nature Center and be prepared to carpool to various locations around the lake to explore the shore in kayaks. This is a first come, first serve event. Ages 12+ recommended.
- Nature Center Hours1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Visit the Nature Center next to the camp store to meet with a naturalist and some of Ohio’s wildlife!
- Pike Lake State Park
- Saturday, September 3
- Basic Archery4:00 p.m.
- Learn how to properly and safely shoot a bow. Participants must be able to draw at least a 10 lb. bow. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Meet at the Nature Center.
- Air Rifles5:00 p.m.
- Learn the basics of safe gun handling and how to safely shoot an air rifle on our range. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Meet at the Nature Center.
- Kayaking 1017:00 p.m.
- Learn the basics of safe kayaking. Recommended for ages 7 and up. All equipment provided free of charge. Participants should know how to swim. Meet at the boat docks.
Rocky Fork Lake State Park - Saturday, September 3
- Explore the Shore5:00 p.m.
- Meet at the camp store and be prepared to carpool to various locations around the lake to explore the shore in kayaks. No experience required but be prepared to get wet!
- Sunday, September 4
- Pictures in the Park10:00 a.m.
- Meet at the Welcome Center to carpool and hike around the area to capture scenic views and memories with photographs. Bring your camera!
Shawnee State Park - Saturday, September 3
- Archery4:00 p.m.
- Try your hand at a new outdoor skill or join us to show of your precision shooting. Meet at the Nature Center archery range. All equipment provided.
- Night Hike7:00 p.m.
- Meet at the campground amphitheater to join a naturalist on a stroll around Roosevelt Lake in search of beavers, birds, lightning bugs, and other interesting stuff.
- Nature Center Hours12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Visit the quaint A-Frame Nature Center and historic Citizen Conservation Corps cabin near the Turkey Creek boat ramp for more information on trails, local attractions, to visit with a naturalist, learn about local wildlife and much more.
- Sunday, September 4
- Nature Center Hours12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Visit the quaint A Frame Nature Center and historic Citizen Conservation Corps cabin near the Turkey Creek Boat Ramp for more information on trails, local attractions, to visit with a naturalist, learn about local wildlife and much more.
