When people think of vacations, they often think of the exotic: days spent on beaches crowded with bikini-clad women, cruises to sun-soaked foreign locales.
However, you can easily have a fun and adventurous vacation by choosing to camp at some of Ohio’s beautiful state parks and campgrounds.
Lake Erie
Fishing and boating are two of the most popular activities for camping trips in the state of Ohio.
For information about fishing and boating permits and restrictions, visit the website for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources at http://www.ohiodnr.com.
Dozens of campsites and RV parks are available along the coast of Lake Erie; websites such as http://www.coastalohio.com list campgrounds, hotels and bed and breakfasts. You can also build an itinerary of activities to enjoy along the lake, such as fishing, boating and ferryboat rides.
For outdoor adventurers, hiking trails crisscross the coast along Lake Erie. If you are planning a trip in the winter, dozens of locations, including a handful of Ohio’s beautiful state parks, offer cross country skiing or ice skating.
Summer activities along the lake include kayaking and canoeing in the state parks or on the lake itself. For less adventurous travelers, locales near the lake offer the chance to explore without the physical exertion.
Some cities near the lake played major parts in the history of the United States, including playing host to stops on the Underground Railroad. Others feature a variety of cultural aspects like the Toledo Zoo or Toledo Museum of Art.State parks
Ohio has more than 70 official state parks; you can see a full listing and map of state parks at the official website for Ohio state parks, http://www.ohiodnr.com/Default.aspx?alias=www.ohiodnr.com/parks.
These state parks offer dozens of camping opportunities for RVs and tents, and activities can range from the relaxing to the heart-pounding. While the parks offer obvious camping activities such as hiking, fishing and swimming, they also offer a wide variety of the unusual and unexpected.
For instance, snorkeling and scuba diving are allowed in 29 of Ohio’s state parks. For those who like to travel fast, Maumee, Perry, Pike and Richland Furnace State Forest parks offer designated areas for all terrain vehicles, all purpose vehicles and motorcycles.
Remember that these vehicles are prohibited on most trails and in most parks, so be sure you plan your trip accordingly if you plan to use these vehicles. Many of the parks also offer baseball and golf areas for families and friends to play together.