The Top 7 Hikes Along the Ohio River
Photo Credit: Melissa Burkhardt
There are endless trails along the Ohio River that offer a truly unique experience with a mix of scenic landscapes, rich history, and abundant wildlife. From dense woodlands and rolling hills to panoramic river views, these hiking spots provide a beautiful escape into nature while showcasing the Ohio Valley’s cultural and ecological significance. Along the way, you’ll encounter historic sites, Native American earthworks, and habitats for rare bird species and other wildlife.
Here are some of our favorite hikes near or along the Ohio River.
1. Shawnee State Park – Portsmouth, Ohio
Known as the “Little Smokies of Ohio,” Shawnee State Park boasts lush, densely forested trails that make you feel fully immersed in nature. Here, you’ll find an opportunity to explore the backcountry of southern Ohio’s Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio River.
Recommended Trails:
Lookout Trail —1.5 miles — This historic trail, built in 1938 by CCC, traverses through a diverse forest with a beautiful view of Roosevelt Lake and the original Theodore Roosevelt Game Preserve founded in 1922 (which is now the campground). The trail is a loop with one steep climb and one steep descent. It’s a must-do for those looking to take in scenic vistas.
Lake Trail — 0.8 mile — Provides excellent views of Turkey Creek Lake and is part of the Park Loop trail. A bench along the trail offers a lovely view into Slate Hollow, where a beaver’s lodge can be seen along the Park Loop trail. The trail can be accessed from the Nature Center or the Back Pack Trail parking lots.
2. Clifty Falls State Park— Madison, Indiana
Madison, Indiana, is framed by Clifty Falls State Park—a 1,416-acre park with acclaimed nature trails, iconic waterfalls, and tons of year-round events and guided hikes. At the park, you’ll uncover ancient shale and limestone formations, marine fossils dating back 425 million years, plus 15 miles of trails, ranging from moderate to extremely rugged, offering stunning views of the park's four major waterfalls, best seen from December through June.
One highlight is the 1852 abandoned railroad tunnel, now a bat habitat, cutting through the hillside beneath Oak Grove. Visitors can also enjoy the historic stonework of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps.
Recommended Trails:
Trail 1 - 0.75 miles – Starting at the Nature Center parking lot, this hiking trail proceeds along the ridge top to the Observation Tower overlooking the Ohio River and downtown Madison. The trail then descends some and turns back along the canyon wall, connecting with Trails 2 and 3 and continuing to the park road.
Trail 7 - 1.25 miles – Starting at Clifty Shelter, this trail offers nice views of Clifty Falls (upper and lower viewpoints), then proceeds past Cake Rock and over Little Clifty Falls, along rocky footing, almost to Lookout Point. The trail returns to the picnic area east of Clifty Shelter via the upper Little Clifty Creek gorge.
3. Woodland Mound – Anderson Township, Ohio
Overlooking the Ohio River, Woodland Mound offers forested trails within the Hamilton County Park District. This park is family-friendly and offers gentle, wooded paths with various scenic spots along the way. Woodland Mound also has an elevated overlook, providing sweeping views of the river, making it a great spot for photo opportunities.
Recommended Trails:
Seabold Nature Trail: A peaceful 0.8-mile loop that takes you through dense woodlands, the Seabold Nature Trail is short and accessible, offering river views and a chance to spot local wildlife, like wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, cooper’s hawks, turkey vultures, eastern bluebirds, white-tailed deer and even the secretive red fox.
Hedgeapple Trail — 0.73 miles — This moderately challenging trail winds through hilly terrain and offers beautiful glimpses of the Ohio River, perfect for a scenic hike with hedgeapple trees, plenty of bird species, and two ponds.
4. Devou Park – Covington, Kentucky
Devou Park is beloved for its mix of urban and natural settings, with miles of wooded trails that offer some of the best views of Cincinnati’s skyline. The park’s high vantage point provides stunning overlooks, making it a favorite among local hikers looking for scenic views combined with dense woods.
Recommended Trails:
Sleepy Hallow Old Montague Trail: This 1.5-mile loop is generally considered an easy route and is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and mountain biking.
Devou Memorial Overlook and John Volz Nature Trail: A popular trail with both locals and visitors, this path leads to overlooks with spectacular views of the Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline.
5. Big Bone Lick State Park – Union, Kentucky
Big Bone Lick State Park combines hiking with natural history. Known for its historic fossil beds and resident bison herd, the park also has several wooded trails that take you through forests and along wetlands, where you can enjoy unique landscapes and learn about the region’s prehistoric past.
Recommended Trails:
Cedar Run Trail — 1.5 miles — Hike across the upper ridges of the park, then descend into a dense cedar forest. This trail connects with Gobbler's Trace trail to form a 2-mile loop and provides access to the back of the bison pastures.
Bison Trace Trail: For those interested in seeing the bison, this short loop near the bison enclosure allows you to admire these majestic animals while surrounded by oak and cedar forests. May need to hike up to 0.5 miles if bison are located in back pastures.
6. Falls of the Ohio State Park – Clarksville, Indiana
Falls of the Ohio State Park is situated next to the Ohio River and offers a culmination of natural history and outdoor adventure. It is famous for the largest naturally exposed Devonian fossil beds in the world, dating back 390 million years. The park's scenic hiking trails weave through lush landscapes, perfect for birdwatching and capturing stunning river views.
Tour inside the Interpretive Center with immersive, award-winning exhibits on the area’s geology, ecology, and history. There are even river and wildlife observation rooms that offer a serene place to sit and enjoy unobstructed views. (Visit fallsoftheohio.org for current visiting hours and admission fees.)
Recommended Trails:
Woodland Loop Trail: — 05 miles —More than 230 species of flowering plants have been found at the Falls of the Ohio, and some of these can be seen along this Woodland Loop Trail as it passes through two diverse habitats.
7. Shawnee Lookout – North Bend, Ohio
Shawnee Lookout is perched high above the Ohio River and is known for its incredible views and serene forested trails. With ancient Native American earthworks and a rich history, Shawnee Lookout offers the point where Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana meet with incredible vantage points overlooking the wide Ohio River.
Recommended Trails:
Miami Fort Trail — 1.4 miles —This moderate trail winds through thick woods and up to the remnants of Native American earthworks, with excellent views of the Ohio River from the top. View the confluence of the Great Miami River and Ohio River at the point. Indiana and Kentucky are also visible. Keep your eyes open for American bald eagles and black vultures soaring on the updrafts from the river.
Little Turtle Trail — 2 miles —This trail provides a loop through the woods, offering both river overlooks and a chance to immerse yourself in the forested landscape. Visible from the trail is a prehistoric burial mound from the Woodland period, dating between approximately 1000 BC and 1000 AD. Of the over 10,000 earthworks in Ohio, nearly 40 of them are found in this park.
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