Fisher Family Retreat

Life is all about being outdoors in these parts, with Hocking Hills State Park (15 minutes’ drive) as a big draw. The land is crossed with way-marked forest hiking trails suitable for families hiking with kids, and more adventurous stuff too. An easy looped walk leads to Ash Cave, or you can head up a strenuous stone stairway to the stately cave complex at Rock House. A couple of short but testing mountain bike trails wind through the park as well. A renowned fishing spot, Lake Logan State Park (20 minutes) is popular for catching northern pike, bass, bluegill, and catfish at a peaceful lake surrounded with pine forest. It’s also a spot for wildlife watching: if you’re quiet on the forest tracks, there are frequent appearances by raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and deer. Scattered with deep gorges, abandoned mines, and ancient mounds, Lake Hope State Park (half an hour) is home to seasonal guided activities, varying from winter birding walks (look for barn owls, red-tailed hawks, and woodpeckers) to alfresco meditation among the trees.