Ohio State Park

Malabar Farm State Park

https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/malabar-farm-state-park

Just outside of Mansfield is a unique state park. It is probably the most movie related state park in Ohio, and the only working farm in the system. This park was once the home to a world famous author, whose world famous friends got married there. It was also one of the shooting locations for one of the most famous film made in Ohio.

In 1939, author Louis Bromfield built a large 32-room Western Reserve style house, known as the Big House, on 580 acres of land he had purchased in the Pleasant Valley area. The house and farm were famous from the beginning. Many of Louis’ famous friends would visit him and spend time working on the farm. On weekends, tours were given. On May 21, 1941, the most famous event at the farm would solidify its fame. On that day, Lauren Bacall married Humphrey Bogart in the Big House.

Twice daily, April through December, the park offers tours of the house. The tours are reasonably priced and can last from 75-90 minutes, depending on the group size. The tours visit almost every room of the house and give both the history of Louis Bromfield’s work, how he and his family lived at the farm, and insight into the wedding and other famous guest visits. It is a must-do while at the farm. Another must-do while at the farm is a tour of the farm. The hour-long wagon tours, offered May through October, are the best way to see the fields, a bit of the woods, and most of the harder to reach buildings. The tours talk about the history of the farm land, the out buildings, the ghost, and about what’s going on during the current season. The two tours are generally offered back to back and are started at the Big House. Visit the visitor center for details.

After the tours leave time to visit the farm. The state park is not the only park to once have been a farm, but is the only park that is a still working one. Near the Big House is the main barn. Here dances and other events are held through out the year. This is also where the animals of the farm reside. Traditional farm yard animals like goats, sheep, cattle, and more are on view for visitors to see. Around the barn large farm equipment and other workings of th site can be found. Along with the barn are many other small buildings used for farm work. The type of work and going-ons vary through out the year.

While the main attraction at the farm is called the Big House, the name is also a term used to describe large state prisons, like the nearby Ohio State Reformatory, where The Shawshank Redemption was famously filmed. Around the area of the farm and prison is the Shawshank Trail. This trail leads to filming locations outside of the prison. One site, the cabin in the opening of the movie, is located at Malabar farm. Just outside of the farm is the location of the tree, which has since been removed due to damage. The site is on private property but is best viewed from a pull off on the state park grounds.

Outside of the Shawshank trail, the house, and the farm are many acres of hiking trails, hills, springs, ponds and other attractions. One of the lesser known but very popular trails is Butternut Trail. The mile long trail leads to Butternut Cave, a small cave in a wood outcropping of rocks. A few other small trails run through out the park. There also is one long distance 7 mile bridle trail, with hiking permitted. The visitor center and gift shop has a few exhibits on the type of farming done at the park, the nature, and history, of the area, and more. It should be the first stop on a visit to the park.

While not as outdoor focused as other state parks, Malabar State Park has enough stuff to fill a day of history, hiking, learning, and good times.

Tip: Mohican State Park is only a few miles away and offers lodging, food, and more hiking trails.

Repost: Husteon Woods

6301 Park Office Road, College Corner, OH 45003

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/huestonw/tabid/745/Default.aspx

Ohio, like many states, has great state parks with great activities and amenities. Hueston Woods is a state park located in southwest Ohio with many outdoor activities to fill up a weekend or week of fun. The park is nearly 3,000 acres, including the 625-acre Acton Lake. You can boat on the lake, but you will need to check out their website to see the restrictions. The park has a lodge, camping, cottages, and more. If you do not want to stay the night, or you cannot get a camping spot in the busy summer months, you can always just come for the day. The park has many great hiking trails. We would suggest this as we have spent many a day exploring the park on foot. There are also bridle and mountain bike trails. If summer is not your season, there are also many winter activities in the park.

The park also has a nature center where they do bird rehabilitation and other nature programs. The suggestion is to check out the website for a monthly schedule of events. You could find out that there is something going on to your liking each month.

The lodge is a great place to spend a night or just eat at the restaurant. It has been a while since we went to the restaurant, but from memory the food was good. The food is well priced, so at least you will not break the bank trying it out. The lodge also is a great place for a wedding. One of the good things about staying at the lodge is you are close to many activities in the area. Hueston Woods is near enough to Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indiana, so your choices are endless.

If you like to golf, disc or regular, then you can do it at Hueston Woods. You can also fish in the lake, sit on the beach, or take a hike. The hiking trails are reminiscent of the many others in this part of the state. They travel through woodlands, lakefronts, and prairies. One can even find a fossil or two. Hueston Woods is a great Ohio state park with many great features, check it out for yourself.

Ohio State Parks Cabins

Website

The Ohio state park system does have rustic small cabins, Camper Cabins and Sherman Cabins. Or as they call them ” Camping without a tent.” They are basically 4 wall a roof and beds or cots. Some have heat, some have microwaves. Do not expect much more than a simple place to sleep and stay dry. If you want to spend a little more and still be surrounded by nature try the deluxe cabins.

The deluxe cabins are not small. Try not to think old cabin in the middle of the woods, but a modern apartment. The cabins include a full kitchen, a living room, a bathroom (most with just shower), and a bedroom, or two. Some are nicer than others. The parks do a good job up keeping the cabins, and all are really nice, but the cabins can vary not just from park to park, but each cabin itself. As the website says all cabins have:

– All Standard Cabins have heat; most have air-conditioning
– Some Standard Cabins have two private bedrooms plus a sleeper sofa and sleep up to 6; some sleep only 4 or 5. Check the details when you make your reservations.
– All Standard Cabins have a screened porch, fully-equipped kitchen, furnished living room, and bathroom with shower.
– Linens (bed, bath and kitchen), dishes and cookware are provided.
– Some Standard Cabins have a fireplace.

When we went we stayed at a little bit more upscale Preferred Cabin at Cowan Lake State Park. The cabin was large. It felt more like an apartment than a cabin. The living room had a nice gas fireplace that could be operated by the turn of a dial timer. Above the fire place was a TV.This one did not have cable but was close enough to a major city to get reception. Across the room was a large sleeper couch.

Attached to the living room was the kitchen. It was small but more than large enough to cook a good meal. There was an oven, microwave, large refrigerator, and a sink. Linens, dishes, and most all the cookware one could need were provided. We were able to cook 2 meals and clean up with no problem. The table in the kitchen was a little small and only fit 3 people. This was not a problem as we ate all our meals in the enclosed porch off the living room. It was the middle of the week and not many other cabins were reserved so the sounds of nature were pleasant.

The cabin had two bedrooms. The larger one had a queen size bed and a bunk bed. The smaller one had just a queen size bed. Blankets and pillow were provided. Both rooms had their own tvs. The rooms also had an amour for hanging up clothes. With the sleeper sofa our cabin could sleep 6-8 comfortable. There was only one thermostat in the cabin but each room had windows that could be opened to let in air and the sounds of nature. The only problem we had was that it was in the same room as the fireplace and was heated more than the rest of the building. The building was still a comfortable temperature though. The bathroom was a standard small bath. A toilet, a sink, and a shower, no tub. Towels and soap were provided.

Overall the cabin was like staying in a hotel that would have cost the same price, but with a lot more sleeping space, a kitchen, and surrounded by nature.