Millions flock to Southwest Ohio each year to ride thrilling roller coasters or get soaked at the waterpark at Kings Island Amusement Park. However, fewer visitors know about the peaceful hiking trails, ancient Native American Earthworks and other outdoor activities nearby.
Warren County encompasses over 400 square miles and includes the cities of Mason, Lebanon, Loveland, Waynesville and more. It makes for a perfect weekend getaway or day trip from Cincinnati, Dayton or Columbus! Known as Ohio’s Largest Playground, Warren County has all kinds of activities to fill up an adventurous weekend.
Personally, I grew up in Cincinnati and visited Kings Island countless times, but I knew relatively little about what else the area had to offer. I had an amazing time discovering the outdoor adventures in the area and enjoyed the variety of thrilling ziplining, a peaceful paddle, an amazing hike and more.
Keep reading to discover the best outdoor things to do in Warren County, along with some of the best places to eat when you visit.
Full disclaimer – This is a sponsored blog post by the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own. I want to thank the Warren County tourism board for their generosity!
The Best Outdoor Things To Do in Warren County, Ohio
These 6 outdoor adventures are the perfect way to spend time out in nature during your trip to Warren County. Discover beautiful hiking trails, historic sites, a great place to kayak and more.
Visit Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve
Ohio is home to several earthworks that were created by Native Americans thousands of years ago, and Fort Ancient is the largest earthworks in North America. Despite the name suggesting that this was a fort, it was actually used as a gathering place and for various ceremonies. The site consists of large embankments (up to 23 feet high) and 4 mounds that align astronomically with the summer and winter solstices.
Fun Fact: Fort Ancient is Ohio’s oldest state park!
The park features hiking trails, overlooks and a museum. I highly recommend taking a tour to get a better understanding of this special place, as it can be hard to understand the importance if you’re not familiar with Native American Earthworks. They offer daily tours upon request around 2PM. I was able to join one of the monthly tours with Bill Kennedy, site manager of both Fort Ancient and Serpent Mound. Those tours occur the third Friday of each month at 1PM.
During the tour, Kennedy explained the history of people in Ohio, the original uses of earthworks and today’s collaboration with Native American tribes to better tell the stories of this special place going forward. The museum here was created in the 90’s without the consultation of tribes, but will be updated in the coming years with their input. This is why it is so helpful to learn additional context on a tour!
Fort Ancient is also part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, which encompasses eight different Mounds and Earthworks in Ohio. As of 2023, Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks became the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the United States, and the first UNESCO Heritage Site in Ohio!
In addition to the tour and museum, I recommend hiking some of the trails. This allows you to see the embankments up close (but be sure to never climb on them). Don’t miss the North Overlook (no hiking required), which provides a great view of the Little Miami River Valley.
This fascinating place needs to be on your Ohio bucket list! It costs $7 per adult to visit.
Fly High at Ozone Zipline Adventures
If you enjoy a thrill, look no further than Ozone Zipline Adventures! Whether it’s your first time ziplining or you’ve done it before, this activity is a blast for all ages.
They have a couple different tour options to choose from (and even offer nighttime ziplining!). I did the River Tour which includes six lines. Two of them go above the Little Miami River! Most of them are also quite long, the longest being about a quarter mile.
It was so much fun to zip across the sky, see kayakers down below and admire all of the surrounding trees. Plus, the staff was helpful, professional and made everyone feel at ease.
A few things to know:
- For most of the lines, you’ll need to hold onto handlebars at the top and steer yourself a little bit to stay aerodynamic.
- Tours are typically done with 10 guests or less.
- They have a ‘Challenge by Choice’ philosophy, meaning that you’ll never be forced to do something you’re not comfortable with. A few people in my group opted out from continuing after the first two zips.
- During one zip, I forgot to grab the rope and went backwards from the landing platform. I had to hang out there for a while while they came down the line to reel me in! It wasn’t a huge deal, but be sure to do your best to listen to instructions and know that it’s a possibility you won’t make it all the way across.
Ziplining here was a blast and I highly recommend it as a fun activity with family, a date or just for fun. As of this writing, the River Tour costs $79 per person and you’ll want to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance.
Paddle the Little Miami with Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures
Just below the zipline tour and adjacent to Fort Ancient, spend an afternoon floating down the Little Miami River in a kayak or canoe!
Morgan’s is a family-owned canoe livery that has been in operation for over 50 years. I got to meet one of the owners, Dirk Morgan, and it was clear how much passion the company has for the community and the environment.
Fun Fact: Dirk Morgan is also a beekeeper and he saved a swarm of 75,000 honey bees during a Cincinnati Reds game!
From Morgan’s Ft. Ancient location, you can choose between a 3-mile or 6-mile paddling adventure. They will provide transportation so you only have to float downstream.
Your experience may vary based on current water levels, but it’s typically an easy journey with a few areas of fun rapids. You can take your time and make stops for swimming along the way.
At Morgan’s Riverside Campground, which is the take-out point of the 3-mile trip, there is a snack bar and restrooms as well.
Pro Tip: Check on Morgan’s social media to see if there is a Moonlight Canoe event occurring during your visit. It’s a fun event where about 80 couples float down the river in the evening and then enjoy dinner and drinks at a local winery!
You can’t beat a day out of the water with Morgan’s! It’s the perfect summer adventure in Warren County.
Hike in Caesar Creek State Park
Caesar Creek State Park is an incredible place for hiking, mountain biking, camping, swimming and more. The park is 3741 acres and features a large lake at its center.
The park even has a historic Pioneer Village that features historic log cabins, a schoolhouse, a Quaker meetinghouse, a blacksmith shop and more. There is also a nature center and a beach area.
My favorite trail is the Flat Fork Ridge Trail, a 4.2-mile hike that includes views of the lake, a waterfall, a swinging bridge and a walk through the fossil collection area of the park. Horseshoe Falls isn’t massive, but it’s still a beautiful little waterfall surrounded by limestone and shale.
I’ve hiked this trail in the winter and summer, and the water levels were completely different, so you never know what you might find. In the summer, there were lots of yellow flowers surrounding the swinging bridge, which was particularly beautiful.
Fun Fact: There is an area of Caesar Creek where you can collect fossils. You must obtain a permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers to do so.
A couple other trails to consider are Fifty Springs Loop Trail and the Caesar Creek Gorge Trail. The Caesar Creek Gorge Trail is a great place to see the dam and has some nice forest and river views. Along the Fifty Springs Loop, there is a Geocache on the Warren County GeoTour (it’s awesome but hard to find!).
And if you’re up for something longer, you can hike around the entire lake, which is just over 15 miles.
Caesar Creek is a serene park that should certainly be included in your visit to this area. Plus, like all Ohio state parks, it’s free to visit.
Bike the Loveland Bike Trail
Make a day out of biking around the area on the Loveland Bike Trail! It’s affectionately called the Loveland Bike Trail, the trail actually makes up the Little Miami State Park. It’s paved and 70 miles long, and includes connections of 100+ miles.
If you don’t have a bike of your own, Loveland Bike Rental is a great place to rent from. Along the trail and not far from Loveland Bike Rental, Monkey Bar and Grille or Cartridge Brewing Company are great places to stop. They are also both stops on the Warren County GeoTour!
Other great places along the trail include downtown Loveland and Lebanon. Both towns have historic districts and tons of great restaurants, coffee shops and more.
Check out the trail map to plan your route. Whether you walk a short portion or enjoy a full day of biking, the trail is a fun adventure to enjoy when the weather is nice in Warren County.
Embark on Ohio’s Largest Playground’s Geotour
If you’re not familiar with Geocaching, it’s the world’s largest scavenger hunt! Download the Geocaching app and you’ll have access to information for hidden objects all over the world, including many in Warren County. They can range from large ammo boxes to miniature film canisters and anything in between, and can be hidden anywhere out in public.
Fun Fact: There are millions of geocaches, but less than 100 GeoTours worldwide!
Warren County has created a special GeoTour that leads you to some of the best places to visit in the area. The caches range from easy finds in a city park to wilderness caches along hiking trails. The tour will lead you to a multi-cache in Fort Ancient, a difficult find on a hike in Caesar Creek, a SunHenge outside of the Renaissance Festival grounds and more.
There are currently 14 caches in the GeoTour. It’s a fun activity to pair with the other stops on your trip and a great activity for the whole family!
Download the Geocaching app on iOS
Download the Geocaching app on Google Play
Where to Eat in Warren County
Warren County covers a huge area and there is no shortage of great food options! However, these are my top picks for delicious spots that are near the outdoor destinations on this list!
Wildflower Café and Wine Shop
This farm to table restaurant in Mason blew me away! Wildflower Cafe uses all organic and local ingredients and the menu is constantly changing. Set in a cozy house, the restaurant feels like home with an elevated twist.
I enjoyed the beet “wings” and the seasonal vegetarian pasta. The beet wings were perfectly crispy and the housemade buffalo sauce paired perfectly with the whipped goat cheese and pickled peppers.
However, the pasta stole the show. It was bucatini noodles prepared with peaches, heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella and a garlic butter sauce. It was so good that I wanted to lick the plate!
If you enjoy farm to table dining, great wine and fantastic food, be sure to include this restaurant in your itinerary. Reservations are recommended.
Greenhouse Cafe
Greenhouse Cafe in Lebanon is a cute spot for lunch or coffee. With mushroom artwork and lots of greenery, you’ll feel the whimsy as soon as you walk in.
This casual counter service spot serves great lunch sandwiches (with amazing vegetarian options), avocado toast and desserts. They also have an extensive drink menu that includes kombucha on tap and even alcoholic beverages.
Greenhouse Cafe is great if you’re looking for a more casual spot where you can still find delicious and well crafted food.
Butter Churn Cafe
Butter Church Cafe is a super cute lunch spot to visit before or after hiking in nearby Caesar Creek State Park! They even have an antique shop upstairs. Waynesville is really known for their antiques!
The cafe serves a variety of paninis, quesadillas, salads and toasts. They also serve Young’s Ice Cream, which many people were enjoying during my visit. This is the perfect spot for a quick and satisfying lunch.
Cartridge Brewing
Housed in a former ammo factory that supplied ammunition to the military during both world wars, the historic building that houses Cartridge Brewing makes for a unique stop during your time in Warren County. Plus, it’s located along the Loveland bike trail and there’s a GeoTour stop in their parking lot!
The building first began as a cartridge factory in the late 1800’s. However, a devastating explosion in 1890 caused buildings to be destroyed and people to lose their lives. The building we know today was completed in 1919 and produced ammunition for the military until 1945.
After changing hands many times over the years, the building became a brewery and apartment complex in 2020. The brewery is a beautiful, industrial space with a great beer selection and full kitchen.
I enjoyed the Pitted tart sour beer and the Shroomer Detroit-style pizza. Whether you’re interested in the historic building or just love a good beer, this is a fantastic place to eat and drink.
Monkey Bar and Grille
Monkey Bar and Grille is another spot located right on the Loveland Bike Trail and the Little Miami River. It’s known for daily live music along with a great drink selection. They also serve pizza, hot dogs and more. There is a stop on the GeoTour here too!
The restaurant’s name stems from the story of a chimp living in the Train Stop Inn, which operated in the building until 2013. Sam the Chimp was abandoned by a bankrupt carnival and taken in by the owner of the Train Stop Inn in 1985. He was known for consuming beer and cigarettes, and was famous, yet controversial, in the area.
Another unique aspect of this bar is that they hold “Church at the Bar” on Sunday mornings.
Unfortunately, Monkey Bar had a fire in 2023, but they’ve incorporated outdoor containers to keep the food coming. This historic and fun bar is a great stop during a ride on the Loveland Bike Trail or just to kick back and enjoy live music.
The Breakfast Club
I love a classic American breakfast diner, and The Breakfast Club in Lebanon was no exception. It’s a family owned restaurant that opened in 2000.
I really enjoyed the portobella asiago omelet and the crispy fried potatoes. Plus, the service was impeccable and the coffee was free-flowing. This is definitely the type of place where you’ll be surrounded by local regulars, but still feel welcomed. This is a wonderful breakfast spot to enjoy before a day of adventure in Warren County!
Where to Stay in Warren County
Warren County has a variety of hotels, campgrounds and bed and breakfasts to enjoy. For the outdoor activities I’ve mentioned, Lebanon makes a great central base. One unique, historic stay in Lebanon is The Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel, Ohio’s longest continually operating business. They have hosted 12 US presidents and many other notable figures such as Neil Arstrong, Charles Dickens and Kesha.
Most of the larger hotels in the area are located in Mason near Kings Island. A couple of the highest rated ones include SpringHill Suites, Holiday Inn Express and Kirkwood Inn.
How to Get to Warren County
The distance varies depending on where you’re going in Warren County, but it’s located about a half hour from Cincinnati, a half hour from Dayton and an hour from Columbus. That means that the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport, the Dayton International Airport of the John Glenn Columbus Airport all make great options if you’re flying in.
When to Visit Warren County
Southern Ohio experiences all 4 seasons. The summers tend to be hot and sticky, but great for water activities such as kayaking. The fall brings beautiful foliage and the spring brings fresh blooms, while the winter can be quite cold. Snow is very possible throughout the winter, but not a guarantee.
To enjoy the best of the outdoor adventures I’ve talked about in this guide, I recommend visiting in the summer or fall.
Final Thoughts
Whether you were drawn in by Kings Island and are looking for more, or you’re looking for a great weekend getaway from Cincinnati, Warren County has some amazing opportunities to spend time out in nature. From ziplining to kayaking to hiking to biking, this region offers endless ways to get outside. I hope this guide of the best things to do in Warren County helps you plan the perfect trip.
For more Ohio guides, check these out:
- The Best Hikes near Cincinnati
- A Guide to Exploring Hocking Hills
- Top 10 things To Do in Cincinnati
- 100+ Date Ideas in Cincinnati, Ohio
- The Best Things To Do in Cuyahoga Valley
- The Best Hikes in Yellow Springs, Ohio
Thanks for Reading!
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