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National Parks in the Midwest: Complete List, Map, and Favorite Experiences

NPS Site 10 Mins Read
A view of the ledges at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. This is one of five National Parks in the Midwest.

I was surprised when I counted that there are only 45 National Parks in the Midwest. After all, the midwestern states comprise roughly 20% of the land area of the 48 contiguous US States, but make up only roughly 11% of the 420+ parks managed by the US National Park Service. But don’t discount the beauty and significance of the Midwestern National Parks! That would be a mistake. In our quest to visit the 420+ National Park Units in the United States, we have learned that the Midwest boasts many diverse experiences from scenic waterways and landscapes, to telling the story of westward expansion and civil rights, to honoring the many contributions of indigenous people in the making of America. So whether you are planning a solo road trip, a Midwest couples vacation, or a vacation spot for your entire family, check out these great national parks! Where is…

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Magic at the Fairy Trail at Infirmary Mound Park [2023 Update]

Around Ohio 6 Mins Read

It’s back for 2023! Experience the magic at the Fairy Trail – a lovely, family-friendly outdoor experience in Central Ohio. If you’re looking for a beautiful hidden gem in Central Ohio, then look no further than the Fairy Trail at Infirmary Mound Park in Licking County. This park in Licking County (about 30 minutes to the east of downtown Columbus) promises to delight visitors of all ages! This is a great opportunity for a pleasant, socially distanced outing in the beautiful outdoors. If you’re like us, then we promise that this outdoor jaunt at Infirmary Mound Park will invite a little magic into your day! Infirmary Mound Park We stumbled upon Infirmary Mound Park while taking a joyride after work. Although we’d passed the sign prompting drivers to turn left off of Main Street, numerous times over the years, we never took the time to explore. What a mistake! This…

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15 Beautiful Parks In (& Around) Columbus, Ohio for Hiking

Around Ohio 12 Mins Read
Here is a post about some of the most beautiful parks in Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding area! For each park, we also share our favorite hike in each park. These are some of the the best hiking trails in Columbus, Ohio! Enjoying parks and recreation is one of the best things to do in Columbus!

We’re excited to help you get out and enjoy these beautiful parks in Columbus, Ohio! For each park, we’ll share our favorite trail so you have a list of some of the best hiking in Columbus, Ohio. We will also share the location so that you know what to put into your GPS. These parks are not ranked, rather we number the parks to make it easier for you to read through. We also recommend keeping track of your hikes in this nifty hiking journal (affiliate link). Ready? Let’s dive in! 1. Slate Run Metro Park (Canal Winchester) Slate Run Metro Park is a hidden gem in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Park system. Every time we visit this park, I feel like we are discovering a place that that not many people seem to know about. While not far from the city, you get to momentarily forget the…

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Slate Run Metro Park: A Hidden Gem in Central Ohio

Around Ohio 6 Mins Read
Slate Run Metro Park

Slate Run Metro Park is a hidden gem in the Columbus area as it has so much to offer. It is highlighted by the relative quiet that you can experience in terms of traffic and visitors not far from an urban center. Slate Run Metro Park is located in Canal Winchester, about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Columbus. While not far from the city, it has a uniquely rural feel. Visitors get a bit of reprieve from being in a population center. You are greeted by options to visit wetlands, tree-covered trails, and even an historic living farm! With diverse experiences to be had, Slate Run offers something new with each visit! Slate Run Metro Park Map This map of Slate Run Metro Park shown below shows a variety of park entrances. The main entrance is located along the right side of the map which is off of State Route…

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Covered Bridges in Ohio: An Easy Quest to Enjoy

Around Ohio 5 Mins Read
Picturesque Farm Setting

It’s easy to enjoy Ohio’s covered bridges. These historic structures hearken to a time when life was simpler, and they are often found in picturesque settings off the well-traveled road. Check out these beautiful covered bridges in Ohio for a relaxing and fun jaunt outdoors! Why Did They Build Covered Bridges? Covered bridges are structures, typically spanning a waterway, that are built with a wooden frame or truss. Wood was used as a less expensive building material, but is prone to rotting. Weather conditions, like you see in the east and midwest US, can facilitate rot over time. The coverings preserved the wooden structure underneath. This visual from Bustamante Engineers shows how covered bridges are constructed. This visual helps to spot some of the differences in the construction of the various bridges. Building A Quest Around Covered Bridges in Ohio We were looking for some low-key places to visit that…

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How to Visit Walnut Woods Metro Park: Exploration Guide

Around Ohio 4 Mins Read
Walnut Woods Metro Park is a gorgeous park in Groveport, Ohio. This dog-friendly park features over 7 miles of trails, a pollinator friendly garden and beautiful sites along Walnut Creek. Take the time to explore this quaint park near Columbus, Ohio with lots of things to do! #ParkTripsAndMore #CbusMetroParks #Groveport #Ohio

Walnut Woods Metro Park is a great destination for some beautiful recreation in the Central Ohio area! Here, you will find great hiking – like the popular Tall Pines area -, nice places to bike, and even places to take your dogs. What is there to explore at Walnut Woods Metro Park? Walnut Woods is a beautiful, dog-friendly park in Groveport, Ohio. It boasts over 7 miles of trails, 2 dog park areas, bike paths and gardens. There is a lot to do – we highlight a few things below! Walk (or bike) one of the Parks trails Walnut Woods Metro Park contains five named trails. We share our favorites below. Additional details on these trails can be found on the Walnut Woods Metro Parks page here. Explore the Monarch Trail The Monarch Trail is an easy, paved trail which can be accessed via the Buckeye trail. Walkers will share…

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A Great Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Experience

NPS Site 5 Mins Read
A view of Youngsholm from the front

One of my favorite park experiences was witnessing the swearing in of our nephew as a Junior Ranger at the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. You too can create an awesome experience at this intimate National Monument. Here, you will learn about the life and service of Colonel Charles Young, one of the first African-American Westpoint graduates. You will also get to explore the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, African-American army units composed of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry. Visiting the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Not far from our Central Ohio home is one of the newer National Park Units, the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. This park is located in Xenia, Ohio near Wilberforce University, an Historically Black University. This is where the famous Coloner, Charles Young, lived and taught. During our summer visit, the weather was nice…

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Our National Park Trips Timeline

Our Story 12 Mins Read
National Parks Travel Timeline

I officially LOVE reading lists of travels like the one we’re sharing here! Putting together our National Park trips timeline was therapeutic in a sense. In creating this, I got to see my own growth and development that has been directly shaped by the travel I have completed. Lists like this are also interesting because you get to see the logistical fit of the sites visited. I will do my best to group itineraries and link to things we may have shared on this site that can help with your own planning. A couple of other guiding thoughts: since we both work full time jobs, we usually have one “major” trip each year and several others on the periphery we like to visit as many sites as we can fit into our limited vacation days, so the pace of our trips is often pretty fast I’m only including parks that…

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Central Ohio Parks

Around Ohio 3 Mins Read

There are so many beautiful Central Ohio parks!  As residents of Central Ohio, we are so fortunate to have a number of gorgeous State Parks, Regional / Metro Parks and Local Parks right in our back yard!  Living in Central Ohio has its perks (“park perks”… I like it ;-))! That being said, this is an attempt to introduce some of the parks near us that are well worth a visit.  Putting this information together is a fun challenge.  Even though I’ve lived in Columbus or one of its many suburbs for most of my life, there are quite a few parks that I haven’t visited before. Join us in exploring the parks and places near you as well!  Adventure awaits, and is probably closer to home than you may realize. Our Central Ohio Parks Challenge – 100 Parks to Explore Below is a list of 100 parks that we…

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3 Embarrassing Travel Stories with a Point

Our Story 10 Mins Read
Silly Hot Springs National Park

While I’ve never been a prankster, I can appreciate a good joke and take the humor in stride.  That is why I am ok with sharing 3 embarrassing travel stories with you, and the lessons that go along with them. I definitely can laugh at myself… and by hitting “publish” on this post, perhaps share a couple of laughs and pass on a tip or two that will save you a few moments of embarrassment 😊.  Note: If you make a purchase through links in this post, I may get a commission – thanks for your help! Embarrassing Travel Story #1: Congaree National Park and the Bad Day for Photos Conagree National Park is Lovely! We loved our visit to Congaree National Park in Hopkins, South Carolina.  This park is one of the less well-known National Parks and is one of the smaller of the National Parks featuring old growth…

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