Yep. Just five minutes from downtown an incredible world of wilderness awaits, in Loudonville. From hiking, canoeing, fishing, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, to picnicking and so much more is only minutes from downtown.
Let’s start with Mohican State Park and Forest. One of the most popular parks in Ohio, Mohican offers 6,000 acres of rugged woodlands. From rocky outcroppings, deep valleys, an incredible variety of wildlife and plant life, to the scenic Clear Fork River. Many visitors come for over 45 miles of scenic hiking trails – several with trailheads near the iconic Covered Bridge in the heart of the Park. Others enjoy the shady forest on horseback along the beautiful bridle trails. Mountain bikers flock to the challenging 25 mile loop through the forest. Mohican’s mountain bike trail is rated as the best in Ohio, one of the top 50 in the United States. Sportsmen flock to the Forest to hunt or fish in the Clear Fork River.
Mohican State Park is a great place for sightseeing. Clear Fork Overlook Gorge is a Registered National Natural Landmark. It’s 300 feet deep, deepest gorge in Ohio. Climb atop the 80-foot fire tower or pay respects to Ohioans killed in war at the Memorial Forest Shrine. Numerous places abound for family picnics in the deep woods or along a stream. Spend the night in a cabin, tent or camper at the Park Campground or stay in luxury, surrounded by wilderness, in the Mohican State Park Lodge.
Just down the road from the Park is the Canoe Capital of Ohio, really. The first canoe livery opened in 1961 in Loudonville. Since then there are now six canoe liveries offering a variety of trips down the Mohican River. Enjoy a gentle river trip in a canoe, kayak, raft or tube. Trips can last from 30 minutes with two to three hours being typical. As all liveries are also campgrounds, spend the day on the river and the night camping or even in a cabin that range from basic to deluxe. What better way to relax and enjoy the family than around a campfire roasting marshmallows surrounded by forests of trees and the sounds of night.
Just a little bit more than five minutes from downtown visitors can enjoy even more wilderness. How about zipping through forests and over steep valleys on 4,000 feet of zip line on a Tree Frog Canopy Tours excursion? During the trip learn about area nature and history. Pleasant Hill Lake is close-by. It offers swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Rent a boat, jet ski, kayak, even a house boat. Spend the night at the Park camping or in a cabin. Pleasant Hill has a horse camp so guests can spend the weekend riding the nearby bridle trails.
While enjoying Loudonville’s wilderness spend the night. The area offers everything from a hotel, bed & breakfast, houses, cabins, and two luxury resorts. For most lodging, wilderness is literally just outside the front door or balcony.
With more than 4,400 area campsites, Loudonville is also regarded as the Camp Capital of Ohio. Bring the tent, trailer, pop-up, RV and enjoy a getaway surrounded by steep valleys covered in trees. Many campgrounds host seasonal RV campers who spend the entire summer in Loudonville’s great outdoors. The campgrounds are mini destinations in themselves with swimming, basketball/volleyball courts, playgrounds, organized activities and lots more. Camping is a great way to spend the night under the stars, falling asleep to the wind in the trees.
If you decide you’ve had enough wilderness, how about a visit to a real Grist Mill? What about nearby Malabar Farm State Park, a working farm. It features a free Visitor Education Center and 32 room country estate tours, for a small fee. Guests can also fish, hike, picnic, and horseback ride at Malabar. Don’t forget civilization is only minutes away in downtown Loudonville. The Victorian downtown is full of unique stores, curio shops, and restaurants to fit every taste and budget. Don’t forget the Cleo Redd Museum, home to the Mohican Historical Society. The Museum has two floors of newly updated exhibits of local history. It’s just off downtown and free.
Loudonville is midway between Cleveland and Columbus, so wilderness is a short drive for almost everyone in Ohio. With a variety of lodging, Loudonville is also affordable for an overnight, weekend, even a great week-long wilderness adventure.
For more information on planning you’re a wilderness vacation in Loudonville and to request a free 2013 Getaway Planner, contact the Mohican-Loudonville Visitors Bureau toll-free at 877-2MOHICAN or email requests to Info@DiscoverMohican.com. The 2013 Guide is packed with 52 pages of family fun including a special canoe livery section and Mohican State Park map. A virtual Getaway Planner Guide and River Report is also available on their web page, www.DiscoverMohican.com.