5 Hikes Within 5 Hours of Cincinnati

I love my long expeditions into the mountains as much as the next guy, maybe even a little bit more. Days on end out on the trail are what I live for, but when I can't get that kind of time I play weekend warrior just like everyone else.  Most of the time when I want to get out for a weekend trip I wander down to Red River Gorge, Kentucky and explore the scenic cliffs, majestic overhangs and dense forest canopy.  Sometimes though, I've wondered what else is out there in my reach for a weekend trip.  So, to answer this question, I've decided to pick a new destination every other weekend and find 5 more great places to hike within a sort drive of the city I call home, on-top of Red River Gorge.

1. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana
    Drive Time: ~4 hours & 20 minutes via I-65
    Destination: Dunewood Campground

Indiana Dunes, just east of Chicago, nestled on the southern shore of Lake Michigan is a beautiful place.  I have yet to find a place on the shores of the Great Lakes that I haven't enjoyed.  Although there isn't much opportunity for backpacking here, the cost for the Dunewood Campground and the many day hikes in the area make it a close and attractive location.  Many people complain about not being close to the ocean in the mid-west but I think the lakes are even better than the ocean...  Be sure to check out the Cowel's Bog Trail to get away from the crowds and see a unique ecosystem. Also, make sure you spend a sunset on the many miles of beaches.

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2. The Shawnee National Forest, Illinois
    Drive Time: ~4 hours & 40 minutes via I-64
    Destination: Garden of the Gods Backpacking Trailhead

Visiting the Garden of the Gods (not the one in Colorado unfortunately) was an awesome adventure.  I departed Cincinnati around 9PM EDT and got to Illinois a little after midnight local time.  After night hiking for about 30 minutes I found the rest of my group's camp (them having got there a few hours before).  I setup, settled into my sleeping bag and woke up to about 3" of snow and plenty of adventure the next day.  We hiked, climbed and enjoyed our journey around the area, definitely a place I'll be going back to.

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3. The Hoosier National Forest, Indiana
    Drive Time: ~2 hours & 30 minutes via I-64
    Destination: Two Lakes Loop Trailhead

Just a short drive from Cincinnati.  I completed the Two Lakes Loop as an overnight trip in February.  The weather had tricked us (or at least me) into thinking this would be an early spring hike with warm temperatures and lots of mud, instead we got cold temperatures, snow and A TON of mud.  We crossed rivers in 30 degree weather, found a guy literally running laps around us on the trail and much more.  It was a fun getaway and definitely a place I need to go enjoy in warmer weather!  Bring lots of socks for this one.

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4. The Shawnee State Forest, Ohio
    Drive Time: ~2 hours via Ohio-32
    Destination: Backpackers Parking Area outside the State Park

The Shawnee State Forest area is also known as the Little Smokies and I found out why on this trip.  I set out on an adventure, not quite sure what to expect, on the hike I found awesome views, trickling streams and more than a few upward climbs.  If you don't mind time in the thick woods then this is the place for you, and if you like fall colors or a little bit better of a view go in the late fall and winter.  On my trip I also visited the Copperhead Fire Tower, one of the oldest in the state.  As we climbed you could feel it sway in the wind but the views of the forest around me were well worth it.  Definitely a place to go if you're looking for an easy get away and some uncrowded trails.

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5. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, Michigan
    Drive Time: ~7 hours via I-31 (Ya its over 5 hours but its worth it...)
    Destination: The Nurnberg Trailhead (Heads up, involves 5 mile drive down a sandy dirt road)

I stoped by the Nordhouse Dunes on the tail end of a 5 day trip around Michigan.  I made some great friends on this trip and I also found one of my favorite places...  Nordhouse Dunes is slightly out of the 5 hour range I dedicated this piece to but its definiately worth the extra time.  Situated on the west coast of Michigan along the shore of Lake Michigan its a beautiful and isolated place.  When we went in early October we only saw one other person and one other vehicle at the trailhead.  As one of southern Michigan's only wilderness areas and being decently off the beaten path I would for sure recommend a visit.  Be sure to bring a swimsuit, towel and flip-flops!

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Any trip out is a wonderful time, but to find new places to travel to makes it that much more exciting.  Some of these places, especially Nordhouse Dunes, I already plan on taking others back to.

"And this, our life exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."
​-William Shakespeare