need advice on State parks within 3 to 4 hrs of central Oh

None that I mentioned have specific bike paths. Maybe someday!

buckeye nut wrote:
Thanks for all the advice. I have started looking up these parks and some are very interesting. Does anybody know if any of these have paved bike paths or are you biking on the road. Maumee Bay and Geneva have spoiled us with paved paths right along Lake Erie, that is what we are really trying to find. They might not have the nicest campgrounds that we have stayed in but the scenery is beautiful. We loved the west side of Michigan but we cant get into any of there parks, they seemed to be booked the first day you can book them. If anyone knows of that hidden gem where your site backs up to a lake we would love to know were it is lol but I'm sure you don't want to give out that secret.

Have you tried Cuyahoga NP in Cleveland/Akron? We are going in the spring b/c they have paved bike trails and train rides. There's no camping on site but there is plenty close by.

Thanks for all the advice. I have started looking up these parks and some are very interesting. Does anybody know if any of these have paved bike paths or are you biking on the road. Maumee Bay and Geneva have spoiled us with paved paths right along Lake Erie, that is what we are really trying to find. They might not have the nicest campgrounds that we have stayed in but the scenery is beautiful. We loved the west side of Michigan but we cant get into any of there parks, they seemed to be booked the first day you can book them. If anyone knows of that hidden gem where your site backs up to a lake we would love to know were it is lol but I'm sure you don't want to give out that secret.

Cowen Lake & Ceasers Creek in Ohio both are a short drive to bike trails and offer hiking as well. Whitewater and Quakertown state parks are just across the state line in Indiana and offer a lot of hiking in the area along with a short drive up to Richmond you can pick up a 70+ mile paved bike trail that follows an old railroad.

I second Carter Caves SP in Olive Hill, Ky. Stayed there for a long weekend last September and have it booked for Memorial Day weekend. Lots to do....hiking, biking, cave tours, nice gift shop, and a golf course. Real nice place. We got in with a 37' 5th wheel. Wouldn't want to try too much bigger.

Punderson State Park in Newbury Oh is gorgeous. Some sites are right on the water. You're choice of shady or open sites. Water fill stations are available around the park in numerous locations. Has electric at all sites and I think there's even a handful of full hook ups

Definitely Agree With Delaware, great for bike riding. Deer Creek another good place to ride. Both have lakes but nothing directly on the lake. Alum Creek is okay, but the bath facilities are not up to par for us.

Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky. Also any of the Kentucky State Parks in Northern Kentucky. They are all quality facilities. They are also much more price competitive than Michigan.

Try bay Shore family campground in Andover Ohio. Sits on Pymatuning Lake it's where the ducks walk on the fish!. There is state park right next door(south). Convenient to many Ohio, PA and NY wineries on the Lake Erie wine trail.

It's mostly seasonal campers but they have nice large spots for weekenders + down by the lake! Nice clean pool, hot tub and restroom/shower houses

http://www.bayshorefamilycamping.com

happy camping!

We like Delaware and Alum Creek SP's, to me the best campgrounds in the system.

This might be a bit far for you (5 hours or so from Columbus), but Allegheny NF has some excellent campgrounds around the reservoir. Red Bridge, Buckaloons, Willow Bay, Kiasutha. Some sites are FHU, some electric only, some non-electric. Size of rig is no issue at any of them, some nice private sites.