Hamden OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hamden, Ohio.
1. Lake Alma State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION AND RELAXATION
Lake Alma State Park offers visitors a peaceful retreat with its scenic lake, hiking trails, and camping facilities. The park features a beautiful 60-acre lake where visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming during the warmer months. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse wildlife and lush forests that surround the lake, making it a perfect destination for outdoor recreation.
2. Rusted Barn
UNIQUE GIFTS AND CRAFTS
The Rusted Barn is a charming specialty gift shop offering a wide variety of handcrafted items and unique treasures. Visitors can browse through an eclectic collection of home décor, handmade crafts, and locally sourced products. The rustic ambiance of the shop adds to the shopping experience, making it a must-visit for those looking for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
3. Buckeye Furnace State Memorial
HISTORIC INDUSTRIAL SITE
Buckeye Furnace State Memorial preserves an important piece of Ohio's industrial heritage from the 19th century. The restored iron-smelting furnace offers visitors a glimpse into the iron industry that once thrived in southern Ohio. Guided tours take visitors through the furnace, company store, and worker's house, providing an educational experience about this significant part of Ohio's economic history.
4. Walleye Lake
PRIME FISHING DESTINATION
Walleye Lake is a popular fishing destination known for its abundant walleye population and other game fish species. Anglers from across the region visit this lake to try their luck at catching trophy-sized fish in its clean waters. The serene environment surrounding the lake makes it an ideal spot for a relaxing day of fishing or simply enjoying the natural beauty of southern Ohio.
5. Hocking Hills State Park
NATURAL WONDER GETAWAY
Hocking Hills State Park, a short drive from Hamden, is renowned for its breathtaking geological features including caves, waterfalls, and sandstone cliffs. Visitors can explore popular sites such as Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls through miles of hiking trails that wind through ancient hemlock forests. The park offers year-round activities including hiking, photography, rock climbing, and camping, making it one of Ohio's most visited natural attractions.
6. Cantwell Cliffs
STUNNING ROCK FORMATIONS
Cantwell Cliffs features some of the most dramatic geological formations in the Hocking Hills region near Hamden. The deep valley, steep cliffs, and narrow passages create a rugged landscape that hikers find both challenging and rewarding. Visitors can follow the rim trail for spectacular views from above or take the valley trail to experience the impressive rock formations up close.
7. Wayne National Forest
VAST OUTDOOR WILDERNESS
Wayne National Forest encompasses over a quarter million acres of public land in southeastern Ohio not far from Hamden. This vast forest offers extensive recreational opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV trails. The diverse ecosystem supports abundant wildlife and varied plant life, making it a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
8. Bob Evans Farm
RURAL AMERICAN HERITAGE
Bob Evans Farm is the original homestead of the famous restaurant founder and a living museum of rural American life. Visitors can tour the historic farmhouse, view farm animals, and learn about agricultural practices that shaped the region. The farm hosts several events throughout the year, including the popular Bob Evans Farm Festival each October that celebrates Appalachian culture and crafts.
9. Vinton County Courthouse
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Vinton County Courthouse stands as an impressive example of 19th-century government architecture in the area surrounding Hamden. Built in 1879, the courthouse features beautiful Victorian design elements and continues to serve as the center of county government. The building's clock tower is a distinctive landmark that can be seen throughout the small town of McArthur.
10. Moonville Tunnel
MYSTERIOUS RAILROAD RELIC
Moonville Tunnel is an abandoned railroad tunnel with a reputation for being one of Ohio's most haunted locations near Hamden. The brick-lined tunnel, built in 1856, stands as the last remnant of the once-thriving mining town of Moonville that has since vanished. Visitors can hike along the former railroad bed to reach this eerie structure, where many claim to have encountered the ghostly lantern of a brakeman who died in a tragic accident.
11. Lake Hope State Park
PEACEFUL FOREST RETREAT
Lake Hope State Park offers a tranquil escape with its 120-acre lake nestled in the scenic hills of Vinton County near Hamden. The park features excellent fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities, along with over 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails through mature forests. Visitors can also explore the restored Hope Furnace, a remnant of the area's iron-producing history that operated in the mid-1800s.
12. The Ridge Inn
LOCAL CULINARY EXPERIENCE
The Ridge Inn restaurant has been serving hearty, homestyle meals to locals and visitors in the region around Hamden for generations. Known for their generous portions and friendly atmosphere, the restaurant specializes in traditional Appalachian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. Diners particularly enjoy their famous fried chicken, country ham, and homemade pies that reflect the authentic flavors of southeastern Ohio.
13. Tar Hollow State Park
RUGGED WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
Tar Hollow State Park encompasses one of the most rugged regions of Ohio's hill country within driving distance of Hamden. With over 16,000 acres of dense forest, the park offers some of the most challenging hiking trails in the state, including a section of the 21-mile Logan Trail. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing in Pine Lake, and exploring the park's diverse ecosystem that supports a wide variety of plant and animal species.
14. Adena Mansion and Gardens
HISTORIC ESTATE EXPERIENCE
Adena Mansion and Gardens is the imposing hilltop home of Thomas Worthington, one of Ohio's first U.S. Senators and the state's sixth governor. The estate, designed by America's first architect Benjamin Latrobe, offers visitors a glimpse into the elegant lifestyle of early 19th-century Ohio aristocracy. Visitors can tour the restored mansion, explore the meticulously maintained gardens, and learn about Worthington's significant contributions to Ohio's early statehood.
15. Tecumseh Outdoor Drama
LIVING HISTORICAL THEATER
Tecumseh Outdoor Drama presents the epic story of the legendary Shawnee leader who fought to defend his ancestral lands in Ohio. Set in a spectacular outdoor amphitheater near Chillicothe, the production features horseback riding, explosive battle sequences, and stunning special effects. The dramatic performances run throughout the summer months, offering visitors to the Hamden area an unforgettable evening of historical entertainment under the stars.