5 Outdoor Destinations In NE Ohio Plus Must Have Camping Snacks from #Costco #Sponsored 

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Now that the weather has warmed up here in NE Ohio, it’s time to head outside for some fun family adventures. One thing many folks don’t realize about the NE Ohio region is the fact that we’re surrounded by SO many beautiful things. We have gorgeous parks, complete with hiking trails and waterfalls, and of course, we have all of the splendor that Lake Erie has to offer.

If you’re local, and looking for some great camping or day-trip options, I have some great suggestions that are sure to be fun for the entire family. Many of these places offer camping accommodations, or you could make a day of it. No matter how you enjoy the outdoors this season, NE Ohio truly has something for everyone.

I also have some great snacking ideas from Costco, too, so keep reading!

Here are 5 of my favorite NE Ohio outdoor getaways. These beautiful places are right here in our own backyard, and ripe for exploring!

The Gorge is located in beautiful Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. It’s got loads of natural beauty, and is convenient to the Akron, Cleveland, and Canton areas.

This 155-acre county park is loaded with features such as trails, fishing & ice-skating, plus picnic areas with grills & restrooms. Oh, they also have the famous Mary Campbell Cave and some gorgeous waterfalls, too!

This is probably one of my favorite hidden gems in the NE OH area, and I am lucky enough to be able to walk there from my house! It’s definitely worth checking out this season, but may be better for older kids and adults. The terrain can be a little treacherous at times! The views make the hiking totally worthwhile, though!

Address: 1160 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223

Another gem hidden in Summit County, Ohio is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discovery for visitors.

The winding Cuyahoga River gives way to deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. Walk or ride the Towpath Trail to follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.

This park is absolutely breathtaking, and offers hiking, fishing, camping, and even a historic train ride where you’ll see some truly wonderful sights.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Headquarters: 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville 44141

If you love nature, fun, and good music, definitely add Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville, OH to your summer to-do list.

This park is iconic for it’s scenic views, but also for being home to several art and music festivals! (Think Woodstock-style, with tents, etc.)

Nelson Ledges offers quartz & sandstone cliffs plus camping, swimming, cliff-diving & hiking. This is the PERFECT destination for those who love adventure!

Address: 12001 Nelson Ledge Rd, Garrettsville, OH 44231

Hidden in plain sight along the shores of Lake Erie, you’ll find Geneva on the Lake. We were introduced to this quaint, coastal town because we attended a family reunion there a couple of summers ago.

This town offers a lively main strip, complete with great food, fun, and tons of local flavor. This town feels like something out of a bygone era, and has a very small-town feel.

Geneva on the Lake offers plenty of different accommodations. If you feel like roughing it, there are plenty of camping options. Would you rather stay in a hotel, cabin, or beach house? They have you covered there, too.

Whether you’re looking for a 5 Star experience or the camping trip of your dreams, definitely check out all the variety that Geneva on the Lake has to offer.

Of course any list of NE Ohio attractions HAS to include Sandusky. I think it may be illegal to NOT include this lake-front town that’s home to Cedar Point, also known as “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World”.

You may not consider a theme park to be an outdoorsy type destination. Fair enough. But why not spend one day enjoying Cedar Point and the next relaxing at one of Sandusky’s fantastic campgrounds?

That’s right! You can enjoy the great outdoors AND America’s best theme park all in one weekend trip!

If you’re looking for camping in Sandusky, here’s a few places to check out:

Sandusky/Bayshore KOA: 2311 Cleveland Rd W, Sandusky, OH 44870
Camp Sandusky: 3518 Tiffin Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
Crystal Rock Campground: 710 Crystal Rock Ave, Sandusky, OH

Whenever we head out for some outdoor adventures, we always make sure to have plenty of snacks and easy meal solutions on hand. With 3 growing kids, one of which is a teenage boy, hunger strikes OFTEN.

We like to pick up these camping essentials at our local Costco.

There are a few reasons we choose Costco over other warehouse stores. For one, Costco’s Kirkland brand offers wonderful quality at an affordable price. This label offers more than foods and snacks, too! Be sure to check out the Kirkland brand personal care and household items as well!

Another, more major reason I love Costco is the fact that this is a company who values their employees. It’s no secret, especially during such a heated election year, that a lot of larger companies don’t pay their employees well, and they aren’t offered the best benefits.

At Costco, this is not the case. Employees make a LIVING WAGE, since the CEO cares about the well-being of every member of the Costco family. This is good not only for employees and their families, but for the economy as well.

Okay…Before this turns into a political post, let’s get back on track and talk about Costco’s snacks!

Some of our favorite snacks from Costco are their AMAZING Milk Chocolate Raisins, as well as their handy snack packs of various nuts. Nuts are a wonderful source of protein and healthy fats, and they give you the fuel you need to make it all the way to the end of those hiking trails!

My daughter, Sophie, is a peanut butter addict. Really. If there were a 12-step program for PB Addicts, she could be their President at 6 years old.

Thankfully, Costco offers a ton of different options when it comes to nut butters. Sophie’s favorite is their Kirkland Organic Creamy Peanut Butter. Do you have peanut allergies or sensitivities? No worries! Kirkland also offers Creamy Almond Butter! It’s absolutely delish, and makes for a wonderful snack when paired with pretzel sticks or apple slices.

Another great choice from Costco is the Kirkland Organic Salsa. I absolutely LOVE anything that has a kick to it, and the Medium Salsa certainly doesn’t disappoint!

I love bringing a small container of this salsa along with some tortilla chips or pita bread on the trail with me. Sometimes, I even mix some salsa into my hummus for a more hearty snack!

Of course we all know that jerky is a great on-the-go snacking option. It’s portable, low-carb and gluten-free, and it’s typically low in fat, too. Cured and dried beef products like Kirkland’s Steak Strips give you that added protein boost when you’re out and about being active with family. It tastes fantastic, too!

And of course, there’s coffee. Coffee is a necessity for me whether I’m home or heading out on an adventure. Costco offers tons of various coffees for any java-lover in your life. Be sure to grab a Costco travel mug so you can enjoy your brew on the road!

If you’re in NE Ohio, I have some great news!

Costco is opening a BRAND NEW STORE in Boston Heights, OH! This is very good news for those in the Akron area, like ME!

This location is currently accepting new members and employment applications, and you can learn more at their temporary location at: 8210 Macedonia Commons Blvd. in Macedonia!

You can learn more about all of the awesomeness that Costco has to offer on their website.

You can also connect with Costco on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest news, products, and promotions!