She is Wild and Free: Ohio’s Seasonal Bucket List – Nature, Outdoor Adventure, and Events You Can’t Miss

From wildflower blooms to lantern-lit walks, your month-by-month guide to Ohio’s most magical moments outdoors.

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January
First Day Hike – Any Ohio State Park (January 1)
Grandma Gatewood Annual Winter Hike – Hocking Hills (Mid-January)
Twin Sisters Frozen Waterfall Hike – Brecksville, OH (Mid-January–Mid-February)
Tree Farm Trail Snow Hike – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (January–February)

February
Frozen Lake Erie Walk – Various Lake Erie Shoreline Access Points (Mid–Late February)

March

Salamander Migration

Maple Syrup Festival

April
Daffodil Hill Bloom – Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, OH (April)
Cherry Blossoms at Wade Oval – Cleveland, OH (April)
Cherry Blossoms & Sakura Festival – Akron, OH (Early April, annual event — check date)
Virginia Bluebells – Everett Covered Bridge, CVNP (April)
Secrest Arboretum Blooming Crabapples – Wooster, OH (Late April)
Yooperlite Hunt – Lake Erie Bluffs (Early Spring–April, or anytime no snow)
Not Quite Ohio: Grayson Lake Grotto Paddle + Carter Caves (KY, Spring)

May
Slow Roll Cleveland – Season Opener (First Monday in May)
West Branch Tunnels Paddle – West Branch State Park (May)

June
Not Quite Ohio: Pymatuning State Park – Spring Paddle Fest (PA, June 7 for 2025)

July
Portage Lakes Fireworks – Akron, OH (Early July)
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Bike Aboard – CVNP (July)
Lotus Blooms – Nimisila Reservoir & Area Lakes (Mid-July–August)

August
The Sun’s Flower Festival – Lindsey, OH (Early August, ~10 days)
Purple Martins at Nimisila Reservoir – Green, OH (Early August, ~2 weeks)

September
Monarch Migration – Lake Erie Shores (Mid–Late September)
Not Quite Ohio: Pymatuning State Park – Fall Paddle Fest (PA, End of September)

October
Witches Paddle – Various Motor-Free Lakes (First Half of October)
Witches Night Out – Medina, OH (October)
Fall Paddle at Knox Lake – Knox County, OH (Late October)
Mohican State Park Fall Views – Fire Tower, Vista Point, Gorge Trail (Late October)
Slow Roll Cleveland – Season Finale (October)

November
(Currently no events)

December
Winter Solstice Lantern Walk – Atwood Lake State Park (December 21)

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