Looking for a great place to enjoy the rush of cross-country skiing in Ohio? You’ve come to the right place. Many of the state parks in Ohio offer cross-country skiing on hundreds of trails during the winter months and each park offers a unique experience. Here are seven awesome cross-country skiing spots in Ohio to check out this winter.
Findley State Park covers a sprawling 838-acre forest of stately pines and gorgeous scenery all year round. The scenic hiking trails also make the ideal setting for cross-country skiing. Approximately five miles of trails are available for cross-country skiing when the ground is covered with snow.
Eighteen reservations spanning more than 23,000 acres make up the Cleveland Metroparks. With more than 300 miles of trails of varying difficulty, this is also a spectacular place to cross-country ski during the winter months. Cross-country skiing is also permitted on the fairways and rough areas of the surrounding golf courses where you can catch golden sunrises over Lake Erie!
At Lorain County Metro Parks, cross-country skiing is allowed for anyone who has their own skis and enjoys the scenic views during the winter. Additionally, cross-country skiing is also permitted at the Forest Hills Golf Course and the Schoepfle Garden when there is at least three inches of snow on the ground.
Quail Hollow Park spans over 700 acres across rolling meadows, pine woods, and a marsh. Scenic trails and gardens provide a variety of natural experiences for outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels. Cross-country skiers can enjoy the bridle trails of the park when at least four inches of snow is on the ground. Gear rentals are also available by the hour.
There are plenty of opportunities to cross-country ski at Lake Metroparks. But to start, head to Chapin Forest Reservation, where skis and snowshoes are available for rent, and hit the trails any time of day—the park turns on the lights at night! Then, head to Girdled Road Reservation, where you’ll find nine kilometers of mostly flat, but a bit challenging, cross-country skiing terrain. Each area offers a different, but exciting, experience.
Lake Milton State Park lies in the Appalachian Plateau in Ohio and is home to a great variety of plants, animals, and forests. For nature lovers, there are 1.25 miles of trails available for cross-country skiing when the ground is frozen and covered with snow.
Headlands Beach State Park located near Cleveland is one of the most popular parks in the summer time. During the winter months though, the 1.5-mile Buckeye Trail is available for cross-country skiers to enjoy when there is snow on the ground.
