9 Spots Near Cincinnati to Enjoy Nature

The nature centers, forests, and public parks that fill Ohio's landscape offer plenty of ways to experience the outdoors. With thousands of acres of space and all sorts of wildlife and flora, there's sure to be a destination that's perfect for you. Stick around as we unveil these nine spots near Cincinnati to enjoy nature.

Cincinnati Nature Center

When you ask locals to point you toward the best natural area around the city, most will say the Cincinnati Nature Center. It's truly a nature lover's paradise. The Rowe Visitor Center, located on Tealtown Road in Milford, features more than 1,000 acres of untamed wilderness to explore.

Completely submerge yourself in 65 acres of old-growth forest as you walk along 16 miles of trails. There's a nature shop, a playscape for kids, a picnic area, and the memorial Celebration Garden. The center is open year-round for your enjoyment. Admission is free for members or $9 for adults, $4 for kids, and $2 if you want to bring your four-legged friend along.

Image via Flickr by Brunarski | Licensed by CC BY 2.0

Bender Mountain Nature Preserve

Cincinnati's naturalists will want to discover Bender Mountain Nature Preserve. This treasure is a lucky find for anyone who likes to play outside. It offers six well-maintained hiking trails that wander through 50 acres of wooded hillside. The paths range in difficulty. Some areas are easy to stroll, and others provide a challenging workout with steep slopes and rocky, uneven steps.

Discover hundreds of different plant species as you amble along, as well as a few breathtaking glimpses of the Ohio River. According to University of Cincinnati botanist Dr. Denis Conover, Bender Mountain is the best place in the county to spot native wildflowers.

Caldwell Nature Preserve

One of the area's less popular nature preserves is Caldwell, outside of Finneytown. This under-appreciated gem offers some excellent hiking trails that traverse over 3.5 miles through a mixture of newly planted trees and old-growth forest. This spot is particularly lovely because it's home to plenty of wildlife, and it's rarely crowded with other trekkers. Keep your eyes peeled, and you might spot birds, reptiles, and amphibians on your walk.

California Woods Nature Preserve

While Cincinnati is miles from the sunny beaches of the Pacific, that doesn't mean you can't visit the Golden State in spirit. California Woods is an expansive 113-acre dreamscape for outdoor enthusiasts like you.

Indulge your senses any season with year-round educational programs, a spectacular butterfly and hummingbird garden, and various hiking trails. The Lick Run Creek runs through the preserve and provides the chance to see turtles, mallards, beavers, and fish. Remember to visit the nature center before you head out. Park rangers are usually on hand to answer any questions you have about the preserve and its inhabitants.

East Fork State Park

East Fork is a 4,870-acre outdoor haven located 20 miles southeast of Cincinnati. It's one of the largest state parks in Ohio and features the magnificent Harsha Lake. It's a scenic backdrop for a summer family getaway and offers loads of recreational opportunities, such as camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and backpacking.

French Park

Located in Amberley, French Park is another underappreciated gem in Cincinnati. It sprawls across 275 acres and offers walkers, runners, and hikers several trails that weave in and out of forested areas and beside creeks. Trek about 3 miles on the outermost loop of paths, or combine several tracks and extend your experience.

The park was originally the estate of famed photographer Herbert Greer French. It offers visitors a few unique features to discover, such as the stunning, two-story brick "French House" that sits proudly in the middle of the green space. French had the home built during the 1900s, and today it serves as a wonderful place to host a wedding.

Miami Whitewater Forest

Miami Whitewater Forest in Harrison is a great place to go hiking. It's one of the largest natural spaces in Cincinnati, spanning 4,670 acres. This area also provides the opportunity to go stand-up paddleboarding, camping, and play a game on the nine-hole disc golf course.

Visitors can sign up for both youth and adult soccer leagues while Fido plays in the 11-acre dog park. This fantastic canine play place also offers an agility course. Park your new Toyota near the gift shop and pick up a souvenir. The park touts two horseback riding trails, plus several scenic pathways, including:

• Shaker Trace (7.8 miles, paved)
• Badlands (1.7 miles, dirt)
• Oakleaf (0.8 miles, dirt)
• Tallgrass Prairie (0.6 miles, dirt)
• Timberlakes (1.4 miles, dirt)
• Fitness course (1.4 miles)

Mount Airy Forest

The 1,459-acre Mount Airy Forest in Cincinnati was established in 1911 and represented one of the country's earliest urban reforestation projects. Plan to spend a delightful afternoon exploring its trail system on two feet, two wheels, or in the saddle. It's the place to go if you're looking for a challenging, multi-hour experience. The park features Ohio's only wheelchair-accessible public tree house, plus there are tables and charcoal grills for eating out and a swing set for the kiddos.

Otto Armleder Memorial Park and Recreation Complex

Connect with nature at the Otto Armleder complex. Located on Wooster Pike, this 238-acre urban park has it all. It provides residents with hiking and biking trails, soccer fields, picnic spaces, and a playground.

Hit the 1-mile paved path connecting the park's 1.9-mile trail or the 5-mile Lunken Airfield loop, where you can enjoy the river outlook. Launch your canoe in the Little Miami River or bring your four-legged friend for playtime at the 10-acre dog park. It features separate areas for large and small breeds, a canine shower, and doggie drinking fountains.

There you have it! Kings Toyota of Cincinnati just informed you of the nine best spots in the area to get in touch with your wild side. What do you think of our picks? Where is your favorite nature area to relax and reconnect? Let us know so that we can add it to our list.