{"id":15329,"date":"2026-06-29T14:37:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=15329"},"modified":"2026-06-29T14:37:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:37:18","slug":"ohios-best-kept-secret","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=15329","title":{"rendered":"Ohio\u2019s Best-Kept Secret"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"justify-start\">\n<nav class=\"align-left col-span-full mb-base\" data-pom-e2e-test-id=\"breadcrumbs\"\/>\n<p>With a world-class trail system, dense forests, and pristine lakes\u2014and zero crowds\u2014Athens County is like nowhere else in the Midwest<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/p>\n<p class=\"fp-leadCaption py-tight text-left font-utility text-utility3-size leading-utility3-line-height text-secondary\">Mountain biking at Baileys Trail System in Chauncey, Ohio.<br \/>\n<!-- --> (Photo: Joel Prince)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<p>Published June 29, 2026 07:54AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>When you read the headlines about overcrowded national parks and maxed out trailheads, it\u2019s easy to think the outdoors is overrun with selfie-chasing hordes. But there\u2019s plenty left to discover if you know where to look. Proof: <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"http:\/\/athensohio.com\">Athens County, Ohio.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tucked into the hills about 75 miles southeast of Columbus, this corner of Appalachia delivers something you won\u2019t find elsewhere: real surprise. The glaciers that pancaked much of the rest of the Upper Midwest spared this area, leaving a primeval landscape of steep ridgelines, hardwood forests, sandstone outcrops, and snaking river gorges. Forgotten gravel roads crisscross it all, and unlike many marquee outdoor destinations, it\u2019s empty: Just over 63,000 people live here year-round. Five times more than that visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park <i>every week<\/i>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2745585\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Bikeway\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1350\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2745585\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Athens_inline_1.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Athens_inline_1.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Riding the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.<\/span> (Photo: Joel Prince)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Once there, you\u2019ll discover an immense variety of choose-your-own-adventure options packed into a relatively compact area. (Athens County is about the size of Los Angeles\u2014traffic not included.) On a single long weekend, you can mountain bike world-class singletrack, paddle a mirror-smooth lake, run or ride a rail trail, disappear onto remote gravel roads, and hike through dense forests.<\/p>\n<p>The centerpiece is the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"http:\/\/baileystrailsystem.org\">Baileys Trail System<\/a>, a network of trails carved through the Appalachian foothills and abandoned coal country of Wayne National Forest. With roughly 88 miles of singletrack now open, the system has become one of the most ambitious outdoor recreation projects in the Midwest, welcoming everyone from beginner riders to expert mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers, and adaptive athletes. Beginners and families up for a mellow day can opt for Coal Train or Bullfrog Loop; shredders can test themselves on the technical jumps and downhills of Bear-Corn or pack a lunch and get lost in the deep backcountry of Bloodroot.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2745584\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Baileys\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1350\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2745584\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Athens_inline_2.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Athens_inline_2.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">The Baileys Trail System is tailored to beginners and expert mountain bikers alike.<\/span> (Photo: Joel Prince)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Just outside the college town of Athens, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/ohiodnr.gov\/go-and-do\/plan-a-visit\/find-a-property\/strouds-run-state-park\">Strouds Run State Park\u2019s<\/a> rugged trails wrap around Dow Lake, offering instant access to hiking, mountain biking, paddling, swimming, and camping. More than 26 miles of interconnected singletrack link the park with Athens\u2019 trail network: Start your ride with a coffee in town at Donkey Coffee, continue the day by bolting through the mature oaks, beeches, and maples deep in the woods, and finish with a brew and a bite at Jackie O\u2019s, Little Fish, or Devil\u2019s Kettle. The next day starts and ends the same way, but swap pedals for paddles and rent a kayak, canoe, or even a pontoon from <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stroudsrunrentals.com\/\">The Boathouse<\/a> on Dow Lake.<\/p>\n<p>For those who prefer pavement, the 22-mile Hockhocking Adena Bikeway follows a former railroad corridor through river valleys and forests, connecting Athens with smaller, quaint nearby towns while providing a butter-smooth route for road cyclists, runners, and walkers. Beyond the pavement lies another local wonder: Hundreds of miles of low-traffic gravel roads that twist through sleepy hollows, bucolic farms, forests, and airy ridgelines, offering endless options for heavenly gravel biking loops. Consult with the experts at <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ohiogravelgrinders.com\/by-county\">Ohio Gravel Grinders<\/a> to craft your ideal day, weekend, or weeklong itinerary.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2745583\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Campus\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1350\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2745583\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Athens_inline_3.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Athens_inline_3.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Biking at the Ohio University campus. <\/span> (Photo: Joel Prince)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Solitude-chasing hikers will want to seek out the county\u2019s many preserves. Volunteer-driven <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/athensconservancy.org\/explore\/preserves\/\">Athens Conservancy<\/a> manages a network of protected acreage that showcases the region\u2019s biodiversity and surprising nature. Places like Bluebell Preserve, Blair Preserve, and Tucker Run Preserve offer carpets of wildflowers in spring, mature forests with blazing autumn foliage, and abundant birding opportunities (listen for the drumming of rare ruffed grouse at Blair). Canaan and Poston preserves feature striking rock formations and cliff faces, while Deep Hollow-Dark Skies features clear streams and a hilltop clearing perfect for stargazing. (Note to cyclists: The best way to see Bluebell Preserve is from the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway that runs along its border.)<\/p>\n<p>Athens County also serves as an ideal basecamp. Within an hour\u2019s drive, you can reach Hocking Hills State Park, famous for its caves, waterfalls, and dramatic sandstone formations, or Lake Hope State Park, where more volunteer-maintained trails weave through some of Ohio\u2019s most scenic forests. Don\u2019t miss Ash Cave in Hocking Hills: At 700 feet wide, it\u2019s Ohio\u2019s largest recessed cave; a silvery waterfall pours 90 feet off its lip into a sandy-bottomed pool perfect for summertime wading.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2745582\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Paddling\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1350\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2745582\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Athens_inline_4.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Athens_inline_4.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Paddling on Fox Lake.<\/span> (Photo: Joel Prince)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Best of all: No matter where you go in Athens County, you\u2019ll feel like you discovered something special. Which is true.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"article-content-link text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"http:\/\/athensohio.com\"><i>Visit Athens County<\/i><\/a><i>, based in Athens, Ohio, promotes the region as a destination for tourists, strengthens the brand locally and nationally, and creates economic development across markets.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/adventure-travel\/destinations\/north-america\/ohios-best-kept-secret\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With a world-class trail system, dense forests, and pristine lakes\u2014and zero crowds\u2014Athens County is like nowhere else in the Midwest Mountain biking at Baileys Trail System in Chauncey, Ohio. (Photo: Joel Prince) Published June 29, 2026 07:54AM When you read the headlines about overcrowded national parks and maxed out trailheads, it\u2019s easy to think the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15330,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wild-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15329\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}