If you're looking for a national landmark or park within driving distance of Greater Cincinnati, you also have plenty of options.
On top of that, the region has two of the 10 most visited national parks in 2020 nearby.
According to the National Park Service, Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park was the seventh most visited park in 2020 with more than 2.8 million visitors.
If you're up for a longer drive, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited park, with 12.1 million visitors in 2020.
Ready to pack up the car? Check out these 10 national parks and landmarks to drive to this summer.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Drive time from Downtown: 3.5 hours
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park consists of approximately 24,000 acres, 85 miles of trails and offers a bit of everything – from museums and educational experiences to hiking and camping.
Park visitors can drive a winding four-mile-long road up to the Pinnacle Overlook that sits at 2,440 feet and overlooks Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. Hiking trail distances range from a 1/4-mile loop trail to the 21-mile-long Ridge Trail.
91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, Kentucky; nps.gov/cuga/index.htm.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Drive time: 3.5 hours
Yes, we keep saying it, but you should visit Mammoth Cave. The park is home to the world's longest known cave system and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. More than 400 miles of cave passage have been mapped.
Temperatures inside the cave usually hover around 54 degrees year-round, so bring a light jacket or sweater. From cave tours to local hiking and kayaking, there's plenty to do when visiting the Mammoth Cave area.
1 Visitor Center Parkway, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky; nps.gov/maca/index.htm.
More:The ultimate Kentucky summer bucket list ☀️💙
Spooky or cool? Storm fills Mammoth Cave with fog
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Drive time: 4 hours
As mentioned, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most visited parks in the nation. And all those people visiting can't be wrong.
There are more than 125 miles of hiking trails in the park. You can take a 1.4-mile hike to see the 60-foot-tall Brandywine Falls or visit the 15-foot Blue Hen Falls with another 1.5-mile hike. You can also kayak or canoe the Cuyahoga River or take a bike ride through the park.
6947 Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio; nps.gov/cuva.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Drive time: 4 hours
If you take the drive past the border of Kentucky and Tennessee you'll run into the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area which includes 125,000 acres of parkland. It's a haven for outdoor activities like whitewater paddling, rock climbing, horseback riding and hiking.
4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, Tennessee. nps.gov/biso/index.htm.
Obed Wild and Scenic River
Drive time: 4.5 hours
If you want to reconnect with the stars, drive down to Obed Wild and Scenic River in Tennessee. Aside from the regular daytime activities, the park has been designated as International Dark Sky Park.
"Obed Wild & Scenic River is one of these special places with a truly dark night sky. Among Obed’s interpretive themes is a primary goal to reconnect life and nature by discussing the value of quiet, solitude, and even darkness in the noisy, frenetic, and developed world of the 21st century," the National Park Service said.
208 N. Maiden St., Wartburg, Tennessee; nps.gov/obed/index.htm.
Indiana Dunes National Park
Drive time: 4.5 hours
Indiana Dunes National Park is another non-coastal beach option. The park sits along 15 miles of Lake Michigan and includes 15,000 acres. You can hike along 50 miles of trails over dunes, forests, prairies and wetlands. The Calumet and Porter Brickyard Bike Trails span 37 miles. Or you can just enjoy a day at the beach.
1215 SR-49, Porter, Indiana; nps.gov/indu/index.htm.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Drive time: 5 hours
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is by far the most visited national park in the U.S., probably because it's 500,000 acres and butts up to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The park is an international biosphere reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Smokey Mountains are full of waterfalls. The National Parks Service said more than 200,000 visitors hike trails to view Grotto, Laurel, Abrams, Rainbow, and other popular waterfalls in the park. Rent a cabin or take a hike to a backcountry campsite. The park service even has an auto touring guide that highlights 384 miles of road for views of the mountains.
1420 Little River Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee; nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Drive time: 5 hours
Looking for a thrill? Head to the Gauley River in West Virginia. The 25 miles of free-flowing Gauley River and the six miles of the Meadow River pass scenic gorges and valleys. The Gauley River contains multiple class V+ rapids, so you can get your adventure on with white water rafting.
104 Main St., Glen Jean, West Virginia; nps.gov/gari/index.htm.
Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial
Drive time: 5 hours
If you've been to Put-in-Bay, you've likely seen the monolith towering over Lake Erie. Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial rises 352 feet over Lake Erie is situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world. According to the National Parks Service, the memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812 and to celebrate long-lasting peace. Once you're on the island rent a golf cart to cruise around the island or rent your own boat on the “Key West of the North."
93 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay, Ohio; nps.gov/pevi/index.htm.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Drive time: 5.5 hours
This West Virginia park is the newest national park in the U.S. but showcases one of the oldest rivers in the world. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the New River, which runs through deep canyons and features whitewater rafting. Outside of rafting, you can canoe, hike along park trails, rock climb, hunt and fish or bike along the old railroad grade. There are more than 100 miles of trails in the park.
104 Main St., Glen Jean, West Virginia; nps.gov/neri/index.htm.
More:West Virginia's New River Gorge offers whitewater rafting, zip lines, newest national park
Bonus: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Drive time: 8 hours
If you're looking for a longer drive, we have a bonus beach spot for you.
The 71,187-acre Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore off the coast of Lake Michigan gives you sand, water, lighthouse and general coastal vibes. Ferries can take you to visit two islands or you can fish, hunt, hike or swim. The park includes 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and the sand beach bluffs can tower up to 450 feet above the water.
9922 Front St., Empire, Michigan; nps.gov/slbe/index.htm.
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