Hocking Hills State Park
Tucked into the cornfields of Ohio, discover Hocking Hills State Park. Explore the nine hiking trails, of varying difficulty levels, such as Ash Cave Gorge, Old Man's Cave Trail and the Cantwell Cliffs Trail. Ash Cave features a 90-foot rock shelf rising above the trail, making for some of the best scenery in the park. Try rock climbing, kayaking, zip-lining, canoeing, fishing, swimming or archery. Grab a tube and float down the Hocking River or try ice fishing during the winter. Bring a bike and ride the 17-mile bikeway between Nelsonville and Athens.
Hocking Hills State Park
19852 State Route 664 S.
Logan, OH 43138
740-385-6842
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/tabid/743/Default.aspx
Upper Peninsula
Plan a weekend getaway to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Enjoy the area's natural beauty and endless outdoor adventures in both summer and winter. Hike the rugged shorelines of Lake Superior, Huron or Michigan. Each trail offers hikers, of all experience levels, a variety of options to explore. Jump into one of the lakes for a swim or just cool off in the clear, fresh waters. Explore sunken ships in Lake Superior, hike the Hiawatha National Forest sand dunes, or rent a kayak or canoe and spend time navigating the shoreline by water. Try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling or dog sled rides during the winter.
Winter Adventures
Escape for a winter weekend adventure in the Midwest. According to Snowplaces.com, the Midwest offers more than 80 ski locations. Forget about booking an expensive trip to the Rockies or New England, but find a quick weekend getaway close to home. Consider Crystal Mountain in Michigan, offering 45 downhill runs with half lit for night skiing. Try Sundown Mountain in Dubuque, Iowa, with 22 runs, family skiing, black diamond runs and a snowboarding park. Other winter adventures to consider include cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ice skating, a sleigh ride or snowmobiling.
Crystal Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive
Thompsonville, MI 49683,
800-968-7686
http://www.crystalmountain.com/
Sundown Mountain
16991 Asbury Road
Dubuque, IA 52022
563-556-6676
http://www.sundownmtn.com/
