Top Things to do in Lake County
Top Hotels in Lake County
- 1. Hampton Inn Madison
- 2. Best Western Plus Mentor-Cleveland Northeast
- 3. Red Roof Inn Cleveland - Mentor/ Willoughby
- 4. Comfort Inn
- 5. Wingate by Wyndham Mentor OH
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Cleveland-Mentor
- 7. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison, an IHG Hotel
- 8. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Painesville - Concord
- 9. Steele Mansion Inn & Gathering Hub
- 10. Residence Inn by Marriott Cleveland Mentor
6 Hiking Trails in Lake County That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Lake County, United States including Chapin Forest Reservation, Girdled Road Reservation, The Holden Arboretum, Lake Erie Bluffs, Hogback Ridge Park, Beaty Landing.
Restaurants in Lake County
1. Chapin Forest Reservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Bobo185 - Chardon, United States
I went to Chapin Forest Reservation on Friday October 31st and Monday November 2nd with the goal of hiking all the trails. It had been many years since I had been here, and I forgot how unique the various rocks and geological formations were. This is a large park with over 6 miles of trails…more if you count the connectors… and two entrances. The main entrance to the park is off rt 306 and there is another entrance off Hobart Road. This park had quite a few people in it, but I was able to have alone time walking the trails too. Most of the trails are crushed stone but most all have some up and down. There are a few trails such as the Lucky Stone Trail that have sections that are more rugged, and I was glad I had on my hiking boots as it had been raining all morning. On Friday I started at the first parking area on the 306 entrance and stitched together the Sone cutters, Quarry, Turkey, and Lucky Stone loop trails for a hike of just under 4 miles. The only place I had to backtrack was the Turkey Trail as it connects the Quarry and Lucky Stone Trails together. The Stone Cutters trail is short, leading to a creek where you can see evidence of the stone blocks being cut out of the stream bed. The Quarry Trail has great views going all the way out to Lake Erie and the Fall color was excellent. The lucky Stone Trail takes you through some cool geological formations. Nice hike. On Monday I parked at the Hobart Road entrance and made a hike out of the Beach Woods, Whispering Pines, and Arbor Lane trails of just over 2 miles. This is a nice walk with only moderate up and downs. Most of the paths here are also crushed gravel but the short Whispering Pines trail is unimproved and there were quite a few trees over the path. A windstorm over the weekend may have contributed and it also took away most of the fall leaves too. I prefer the section off route 306.
2. Girdled Road Reservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Bobo185 - Chardon, United States
I visited Girdled Road Reservation on two days in mid-November. My goal was to get in a good walk and hike all the trails. This park is for more serious hikers as there are steep descents and accents on the trails. Each of the three parking areas have at least one trail that is fairly flat and stays up on the ridge. The harder trails descend into the valley. The trails were well groomed and marked and I saw very few people during my walks. The first day I parked at the Radcliff road entrance and combined the Green Darner, South Meadow Loop, and Oak Leaf Loop Trails for a nice walk of just over 4 miles with a total altitude change of 299 feet. This route only requires you to down and back up once. The second day I parked at the Skok Meadow entrance. I combined the Skok Meadow, Creek Crossing, part of the Oak Leaf, Chickadee, Valley View Overlook, and Surveyor’s Loop Trails for hike just under 5 ½ miles. This route requires you to go up and down the valley 2 ½ times with a total altitude gain of 526 feet…you will feel the burn on the last climb out. There is a cool swing bridge crossing on the Creek Crossing Trail and lots of little waterfalls to see. Great park for walking and getting into shape while enjoying great views.
3. The Holden Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
The Holden Arboretum is 3,500 acres of the most beautiful gardens and natural areas in Northeast Ohio, including the Holden Wildflower Garden, featuring Ohio native plants; the Holden Butterfly Garden, which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; the 20-acre Layer Rhododendron Garden and the 4.5 acre Paine Rhododendron Discovery Garden; and collections of lilacs, viburnums, crabapples and conifers. Admission to the Arboretum includes the Murch Canopy Walk and the Kalberer Emergent Tower, which are open from April 1 through Nov. 1. Guided walking tours of the grounds are available from April through May, and tram tours are available May through October. Winter activities include snowshoe hikes in January and February, weather permitting.
Reviewed By kimsX7442XV - Cuyahoga Falls, United States
Nice area to walk around with all the trees, plants and ponds. Decorated very nice for Halloween. The canopy walk was nice and the Emergent tower had breathtaking views of the area and you can see Lake Erie. With COVID you do need to purchase your tickets online. The canopy walk and tower only allow a certain number of people on them at one time.
4. Lake Erie Bluffs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By ebell883 - Painesville, United States
Walking alongside Lake Erie on we’ll maintained trails seeing Eagles soaring by is breathtaking Definitely climb the observation deck to get a fantastic view of the lake. Make the effort to take a hike and go down to the beach
5. Hogback Ridge Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Bobo185 - Chardon, United States
I went to Hogback Ridge Park on a cool sunny Tuesday Morning in early November. My main goal was to get a good hike in. The park is out of the way, but I did run into a fisherman and a dog walker out on the trails. This is a larger park with two entrances. The main entrance to the park is off Emerson road and there is another entrance off Warner Road. Most of the trails are crushed stone but most all have some up and down…the creek is nearly 200 feet below the parking area. There are a few trails such as the Bluebell Valley Trail that have sections that are more rugged and some steps, and I was glad I had on my hiking boots as it had been raining all morning. I started my hike at the Main entrance parking area. There are pit toilets and a nice pavilion. I stitched all the trails together with minimal backtracking and hiked about 2/12 miles in this section. The Old Emerson Road Trail is an old road and goes steeply down to the creek. The Hemlock Ridge Trail is fairly flat and has a series of boardwalks. The Bluebell Valley Trail is a great hike along the creek. I then drove over to the Warner Road entrance. It is barely marked with a 1 x 2 foot Lake MetroParks sign, there is only room for a few cars. There is an old road that goes about ¾ mile and 200 feet down to the river. There are also mountain bike trails. I walked down to the river and then just a little but up from the bottom I walked the mountain bike trail back up. This is an excellent walking trail that follow s the ridge…sometimes breathtakingly close. The trails are in excellent shape for walking and I saw no signs of use by mountain bikes. This may be one of the best hikes around the rivers. Overall, my hike was about two miles at this entrance. The color was great, but a windstorm over the weekend took away most of the fall leaves.
6. Beaty Landing
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Sparkythebear
Shelter, flush restrooms, access to the river for fishing, nice east trails for hiking, plenty of parking. Very nice park to visit.
