Lake Hope State Park sits entirely within the 26,824-acre Zaleski State Forest — Ohio's second-largest. This is Hocking Hills for people who've already done Old Man's Cave and want something wilder. A 120-acre C-shaped lake, nationally recognized mountain biking trails, a 29-mile backpacking loop, and a lodge restaurant famous for hickory-smoked BBQ.
25+ miles of nationally recognized trails including Copperhead (7.2 mi) and Wildcat (3.5 mi) systems.
A 29.1-mile trail in three loops with primitive campsites — Ohio's premier overnight backpacking experience.
120-acre lake for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The lodge beach and boat rentals make for easy summer days.
A 10-mile flat rail-trail leading to a haunted 1856 brick tunnel — listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Lake Hope lodge restaurant (rebuilt 2013, 4.7 stars) serves some of the best BBQ in southeast Ohio. Worth a meal even if you're not staying in the area.