Hocking Hills OH, Niagara Falls, Pinery Provence ON, Holland MI

[KyDan]

Help me plan a trip!
Here is a google map rough draft--
Louisville, KY to Louisville, KY - Google Maps

I have 3 major stops but am looking for suggestions along the way,
route changes/suggestions and what to see at these stops.

Keep in mind (if it matters) we have no kids or pets.
We love to hike and bicycle and see lots of natural stuff.
An occasional botanical garden is good too.
We're not really looking for metropolitan museums and such but any
suggestion is welcome.
We will be pulling a 25' trailer. See my signature.

Hocking Hills Ohio, heard a lot about it, never been there.
Plan to camp here for a few days. 2-3-4??
No idea where to camp. Prefer state parks to KOAs.
Good Sam member if that matters.

Niagara Falls. Been there by car 15 years ago. Want to go back
by RV and stay on the Canadian side.
Thoughts on where to camp, what to see besides the Falls area
and any other neat Canadian places we should visit along our Route.
Also would appreciate any discussion on border crossing with an RV.
We have our passports. What other papers do we need??
Staying 3-4-5-6 days depending on other attractions or sights
you guys suggest.

Holland Michigan, repeat visit. We were there in our 1st trailer back in
2004. We plan to stay at Holland state park on the beach.
We LOVED Meijer gardens and sculpture park Grand Rapids and may
visit again. Holland was a great bicycle friendly town and we're looking
forward to a repeat visit.
We did Ludington state park in 04 also. Want to go back there but not
this trip. All wife remembers is lots of mosquitoes. I remember a great
park!

Any other must see along our rough draft route???

Plan on anything between 14 and about 19 or 20 days.

[Dave_Monica]

Here's a link to info on Hocking Hills State Park... Hocking Hills State Park - Ohio State Park Guide to Hocking Hills Cabins, Dining, Events.

We're staying there for 5 nights mid May...I'll give you the report then.

Dave

[4kmprs]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Help me plan a trip!
Here is a google map rough draft--
Louisville, KY to Louisville, KY - Google Maps

I have 3 major stops but am looking for suggestions along the way,
route changes/suggestions and what to see at these stops.

Keep in mind (if it matters) we have no kids or pets.
We love to hike and bicycle and see lots of natural stuff.
An occasional botanical garden is good too.
We're not really looking for metropolitan museums and such but any
suggestion is welcome.
We will be pulling a 25' trailer. See my signature.

Hocking Hills Ohio, heard a lot about it, never been there.
Plan to camp here for a few days. 2-3-4??
No idea where to camp. Prefer state parks to KOAs.
Good Sam member if that matters.

Niagara Falls. Been there by car 15 years ago. Want to go back
by RV and stay on the Canadian side.
Thoughts on where to camp, what to see besides the Falls area
and any other neat Canadian places we should visit along our Route.
Also would appreciate any discussion on border crossing with an RV.
We have our passports. What other papers do we need??
Staying 3-4-5-6 days depending on other attractions or sights
you guys suggest.

Holland Michigan, repeat visit. We were there in our 1st trailer back in
2004. We plan to stay at Holland state park on the beach.
We LOVED Meijer gardens and sculpture park Grand Rapids and may
visit again. Holland was a great bicycle friendly town and we're looking
forward to a repeat visit.
We did Ludington state park in 04 also. Want to go back there but not
this trip. All wife remembers is lots of mosquitoes. I remember a great
park!

Any other must see along our rough draft route???

Plan on anything between 14 and about 19 or 20 days.

If you are making a loop from my old home town of louisville to mi, Canada, and then back, I suggest...

Henry ford museum in Dearborn mi on your way from holland to Ontario and then over to Niagara falls. If then then head south through Cleveland, please visit University Circle on the east side of town. Fantastic modern art museum, newly renovated and expanded metropolitan museum and great botanical gardens all within walking distance of where you park in the circle. Pounderson state park on the east side is about 30 -45 minutes to the museums. We have fantastic restaurants in the Unoversity Cirlce area too.

If you mountain bike, west branch state park in ravenna, ohio is about an hour south east of cleveland. has 14 miles of single and double track trails and it is right on an all sports lake that also has a marina with pontoon, jet ski and power boat rentals.

These parks are about 4 hours from hocking hills and about 31/2 hours to Niagara falls so it may make for some easy half day drives with some exploring in between.

Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

[AquaMan]

Have been to Hocking Hills several times. We've always stayed at Top-O-Caves campground. It's a private campground, but has decent bath house(not great), pool, and is walking distance to the caves, somewhat pricey, but it has a pool and the kids like it. Great hiking. I've heard the state park is nice, but get your reservations early. I tend to stay away from KOA's. There are falls, caves, and well mapped trails in the area.

BTW, I can arrange a tour of an Ernst Concrete plant in Louisville. (Family)

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

Here's a link to info on Hocking Hills State Park... Hocking Hills State Park - Ohio State Park Guide to Hocking Hills Cabins, Dining, Events.

We're staying there for 5 nights mid May...I'll give you the report then.

Dave

Dave, you are my go-to-guy for Canada and Niagara Falls!
Where should we camp near the falls??
Are there any issues with border crossing pulling a trailer?
What else is a must see on our route thru Canada?

[Barney1]

I have a couple of suggestions for the Canadian side of your trip

1. Drive past Niagara Falls and camp at Valens conservation area ( https://secure.camis.com/HCA/ValensConservationArea)
That way it is an easy day drip to both:
- The Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington on the north side of Lake Ontario (15 minutes)
- Niagara Falls on the south of Lake Ontario (40 minutes) bonus there are numerous wineries on the way from Valens to Niagara

2. Just North of the Sarnia/Port Huron border along the eastern shore of Lake Huron is the Pinery Provincial Park (http://www.pinerypark.on.ca/camping.html)
This is one of my favourite parks - lots to explore.

[KyDan]

We've booked 4 nites at each of these stops--
Hocking Hills state park Ohio
Fourmile Creek state park NY
Pinery Provence park Ontario
Holland state park MI

We are excited and I'm relieved to have this trip on paper with reservations.
We have to go prime time one more summer. Next year GW will retire and
we can move some of our trips to slightly off peak times.

Here's a google map of the route--
http://goo.gl/maps/iiAPl

Any tips for papers, or issues related to border crossing are appreciated!!

[boatnut]

Hocking Hills is a gorgeous area. One of the "7 wonders of Ohio" I've been going there since I was knee high to a grasshopper! be sure to check out the following while there:
Ash Cave Gorge • 1/4 Mile • Easy • Handicap Accessible
Ash Cave Rim • 1/2 Mile • Moderate
Cedar Falls • 1/2 Mile • Moderate
Old Man's Cave • 1 Mile • Moderate
Conkles Hollow • 1 Mile • Easy • Handicap Accessible
Conkle's Hollow Rim • 2.5 Miles • Moderate
Rock House • 1/2 Mile • Moderate
Cantwell Cliffs • 1 Mile • Difficult
Buckeye Trail • 6 Miles • Moderate

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by boatnut

Hocking Hills is a gorgeous area. One of the "7 wonders of Ohio" I've been going there since I was knee high to a grasshopper! be sure to check out the following while there:
Ash Cave Gorge • 1/4 Mile • Easy • Handicap Accessible
Ash Cave Rim • 1/2 Mile • Moderate
Cedar Falls • 1/2 Mile • Moderate
Old Man's Cave • 1 Mile • Moderate
Conkles Hollow • 1 Mile • Easy • Handicap Accessible
Conkle's Hollow Rim • 2.5 Miles • Moderate
Rock House • 1/2 Mile • Moderate
Cantwell Cliffs • 1 Mile • Difficult
Buckeye Trail • 6 Miles • Moderate

Thanks Mike!! I'll print your list and put it with our reservations and maps!
We are looking forward to discovering or re-discovering these 4 wonderful areas!

[caper]

No problem crossing the border. Have your passports and if traveling with pets have vet papers with proof of shots. They might want to search inside the trailer. Remember do not try to take firearms into Canada. If you like to watch large ships then to to the Welland Canal. Cambridge Ontario is a short drive and the location of African Lion Safari.
This a a zoo where the animals roam freely and you drive your vehicle through the compounds. The animals will come right up to the car window. There is a farmers market in Hamilton Ont. where you can purchase meats form the Amish. In Toronto you could go out to the Medieval Times Dinner & tournament.

[Bodean614]

Not far From hocking hills is 7 caves and fort ancient Indian burial mounds. And hocking is beautiful we live 2 hrs away and love the place.

[Bodean614]

Also just south of Louisville is mega caverns only place in the world you can zip line underground.

[bodzcampers]

Wine Touring near Niagara falls in/around "Niagara on the Lake" is great!
The short ride right from the falls along a parkway is beautiful and the town of Niagara on the Lake is very charming, tourist friendly, artsy/fartsy. The large farms/wineries are fun to visit. Be careful driving, tastings are plentiful. Try Ice Wine. Very few wine regions in the world make it and this area is especially known for it. Have fun!

[tanddc]

I have heard that the State Park in Hocking Hills is one of the best in the country. I have stayed in other campgrounds in the area but I would not reccomend any of them. Book early, the State Park is very popular.

If you like hiking you can fill 3 days in Hocking Hills easily. Very beutiful area.

If you find yourself in Cleveland, one of the unkonw jems (to me at least) is the USS Cod WW2 submarine. It is located just east of the rock and roll hall of fame and is the only one of its kind still in original condition that can be accessed by the public. (be prepared to go down ladders and such)

Happy camping!

[Barney1]

Originally Posted by bodzcampers

Wine Touring near Niagara falls in/around "Niagara on the Lake" is great!
The short ride right from the falls along a parkway is beautiful and the town of Niagara on the Lake is very charming, tourist friendly, artsy/fartsy. The large farms/wineries are fun to visit. Be careful driving, tastings are plentiful. Try Ice Wine. Very few wine regions in the world make it and this area is especially known for it. Have fun!

And Niagara on the Lake has two of the finest haberdasheries that I have ever visited!

1. Halley's Haberdashery @ 57 Queen Street, Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada

2. BeauChapeau Hat Shop @ 42 Queen Street, Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada
Beauchapeau Hat Shop

[Kf4mnc]

No offense to those that like Hocking Hills, but seeing that the OP is from KY, as I am, if you've been to Mammoth Cave you will be disappointed. IMHO, Hocking Hils is very touristy and being there on the weekends would be on my short list of things NOT to do as it becomes insanely crowded.

[KyDan]

We've been to Mammoth many times. Going again in May! We might even
go in a cave this time! Folks who think Mammoth cave NP is just a big
cave are missing a lot. We love hiking and Mammoth has MILES of trails.
Good place for casual bike riding too.

We will be in Hocking Hills Tue-Fri so we might not be as crowded as
you say but we're going!
We've camped lots of places. Some were crowded and touristy and many
were not. We'll take our chances. We'll be on the road nearly 3 weeks so
it's pretty hard not to be somewhere on a weekend or 2

In a year DW will retire and we can get in some R & R during off peak times.

[BuckeyeChuck]

Holland State Park fills up fast. If you are going there I would make reservations real soon. Dutch Treat Campground is another option is the State Park is full. As long as you are on that side of Michigan I would not miss a trip to Grand Haven. The State Park campground is just like Holland, on the beach. It also fills up fast. Campers Paradise is another choice in Grand Haven. Grand Rapids is a very nice city to visit There are lots and lots of bike trails all along the west side of Michigan and Grand Rapids area has more than their share. Pm me if you want some ideas.

[boatnut]

Hocking Hills- Just a word of caution- PLEASE stay on marked trails!!!

Man Killed, Woman Injured in Separate Falls At Hocking Hills State Park | WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio

[Barney1]

How was your trip in the end??

I am interested on your thoughts on "The Pinery".
I just had an 11 day trip to the Pinery and I was amazed at the amount of Poison Ivy. I think the Provincial ban on herbicides has gone too far.
By-the-way I did get a bit of poison ivy rash on my legs.

Other then that the Pinery is still the Pinery I remember