

The views were still lovely, though! The Beach at East Fork Lake East Fork Campground So, of course, we opted not to get in the water. When we stayed there (July 2021), the lake was under an algae bloom advisory.Ī sign was posted urging us to avoid contact with the water because of the high toxin levels present. The only thing you’ll need to double-check at the lake is a little problem called algae bloom! There are several boat ramps, and the lake is stocked for fishing. Turtle on the Mountain Biking Trail Mushrooms on the Trees Pond Near the Trails East Fork LakeĮast Fork Lake is a beautiful place to enjoy water sports on the lake. Such as a cute little turtle, some neat-looking mushrooms growing alongside a tree, or a pond with some beautiful wildflowers at its edge. Of course, we took the time to stop and enjoy the small things along the way! The Hopewell trail, also called the Beginner Loop, is around 2.5 miles.
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Interested in mountain biking but not sure how to get started? Check out this guide to mountain biking gear for beginners! Mountain Biking Trails The trails were well-maintained and just challenging enough to be really fun! Trail Signs on the Mountain Biking Paths We did two mountain biking loops: the Hopewell and Adena Loop. Trails at East Fork State ParkĮast Fork’s mountain biking and hiking trails are located conveniently near the campground. The park itself is 4,870 acres! That includes a large lake, a campground, and a number of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and biking. It’s just about 25 miles from Cincinnati, so it would be easy to combine it with some other city-type attractions if you like. Exploring East Fork State ParkĮast Fork State Park is located in southwestern Ohio.

Our latest getaway took us to one of Ohio’s largest state parks. Looking for more parks to explore around Cincinnati? Go skiing at Perfect North, or check out Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, England-Idlewild Park or Kincaid Lake State Park! A little further east is Shawnee State Park. The fun part about this is that we get to discover places that we otherwise might have overlooked! Don’t get me wrong: destinations like Yellowstone, Arches National Park, and Canyonlandsare still calling my name.īut sometimes, circumstances dictate that you make the most of the places in your own neck of the woods. We’ve been sticking closer to home for recreation recently. The kind that involves plenty of fresh air, hiking and biking opportunities galore, and, oh yes, is close enough for a quick weekend getaway. The meadows and remnant prairies contain big bluestem grass and purple coneflower among others.Īnimals of the area include eastern plains garter snake, fence lizard, red fox, deer, raccoon, Canada geese, song sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and the barn swallow.Looking for an outdoor adventure near Cincinnati, Ohio? Check out East Fork State Park for mountain biking and hiking trails, a lake, camping and more! The Beach at East Fork Lake The swamp forests contain silver maple, American elm, sycamore, and black gum. Woodlands are composed of beech, sugar maple, red and white oak, shagbark hickory, and wild black cherry. This diversity lends well to an abundance of plant and animal life. Illinoian glacial deposits are not common in Ohio, but they can be observed at East Fork and the surrounding area.Įast Fork's diverse landscape includes dry-forested hills, rocky cascades, abandoned farmlands, thickly grown floodplains, marshy grasslands and swamp forests. The East Fork region exhibits beautiful hill country scenery and is noted for the occurrence of remnant prairie habitats. Located in Clermont County, East Fork State Park is characterized by a landscape shaped by the forces of the Illinoian and Wisconsinan glaciers. Rolling hills, winding rivers and a large lake provides a beautiful backdrop for for a wonderful getaway. The park offers diverse recreational and natural history opportunities only 25 miles from Cincinnati. Located in southwest Ohio, the 4,870-acre East Fork State Park is one of the largest state parks in Ohio.
