Ohio, Kentucky, or West Virginia??

[caranoel]

We're from the Boston area. This summer we will be in Detroit one weekend and in Gettysburg the next. Instead of coming all the way back to turn around and go back out, we'd like to take the long way from Detroit to Gettysburg, PA and need your suggestions.

Leaving Detroit early Tuesday morning. Arriving in Gettysburg around 3 pm on Saturday.

We'll be tenting (although we usually have a pop-up).

Love hiking, river or lake swimming, great scenic views, junior ranger programs for the kids (age 13 and 9--both boys), and generally inexpensive outdoor adventures. Also could do some canoeing, kayaking, or rafting.

We've never been to any of these states, so we're hoping to put together a plan for those four days. Because we're tenting, we only would like to break camp once midweek, so two days in each in two places is okay. More than three set-ups in four days is too much.

What are your favorites? Some places we love (which give you an idea of what we like) are White Mountains in NH, Cape Breton Island, Upper Peninsula in Michigan, "Up North" Michigan, and the Black Hills of South Dakota. We're in good shape, we don't mind driving, and we're always up for something new.

Thanks for all of your help!

[Doug_and_Cassi_]

Any state park in WV. They have them figured out and do it right.

[Jim_Shoe]

I second South Bass Island. Take the ferry from Port Clinton to Put-In-Bay. There's a state park campground on the island, and everything is within easy walking distance. Very laid back EXCEPT Fourth of July. Big party time for the bigger boys and girls. I don't think you want your kids to grow up that fast.
They used to fly folks out on one of the last three Ford Tri-Motor planes, but I think they finally ran out of parts.

[dverstra]

I've heard of rafting in W. Virginia but never been there. It's on our list though!

[6_7_tow_rig]

Red River Gorge/natural bridge in KY has some of the best tent camping and hiking available anywhere I have ever been. You can tent camp anywhere in the Daniel Boone National Forest or if you need hookups in Natural Bridge State Park. Its fantastic

[rbtglove]

X3 - Hocking Hills, If you get as far as Dayton the Kids would love the AF Museum

[caranoel]

Yes! We've been to Cedar Point many times! 🙂

[jeb5]

East Harbor State Park. One day to Cedar Point. one day to South Base Island. Use bicycles or rent a golf cart. one day at East Harbor.

[Dick_B]

You'll be driving right past Cedar Point, OH the roller coaster capital of the universe.

[Hondavalk]

METZCOOL wrote:
Hocking Hills State Park, Best Ohio has to Offer for tenting, hiking!!

X2

[sdianel_-acct_c]

We just left Shenandoah Valley and Skyline Drive area and loved it! Shenandoah Forest has some campgrounds. Beautiful state parks in West Virginia too!
We also loved Harper's Ferry WV. Very interesting. We stayed at the KOA adjacent to the National Park. Might be too far out of the way.

[RGar974417]

In Ohio,Punderson State Park or Leith Run in Wayne national Forest.In Kentucky,Carter Caves SP or Ft Boonesboro SP.In West Virgina,Burnsville Lake COE and in PA,Pine Grove Furnace SP.All are nice.

[METZCOOL]

Hocking Hills State Park, Best Ohio has to Offer for tenting, hiking!!

[K_sKamper]

Suggest Mohican Reservation Campgrounds in Loudonville, Ohio. I am not certain when you are planning the trip but you may check their website for the activities. Hiking and Canoeing. You will not be that far out of your way from Michigan to Gettysburg visiting Mohican.

[Matt_Colie]

This is a bit of a stretch, but if you could get to Cherokee NC and start the Blue Ridge Parkway, you would get plenty of scenery and opportunity to hike your feet right off. You had better start working on the planning, there aren't many campgrounds along the BRP.

Matt