Holidays sneak up before you know it, which means it is never too early to start planning your annual celebrations and festivities. (After all, the most magical season only comes once a year.) Here in Ohio, there are several impressive drive-thru light displays — and even a North Pole train ride or two. But sometimes it’s good to get out and enjoy the fresh winter air with family and friends. If you are hoping to travel on foot as you take in the splendor of holiday lights, you’ll surely make incredible memories along the best winter hike in Ohio.
So, where is the best winter hike in The Buckeye State? There’s an enchanting winter walk in Dayton, Ohio called Woodland Lights that’s perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a winter wonderland up close this year. Take a look:
“Walk the path to holiday fun” at this magical, Dayton-area holiday attraction. It’s a half-mile wooded path that features some of the state’s most enchanting Christmas lights.
Woodland Lights at Washington Township Recreation Center/Facebook You’ll find it at 895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Dayton, OH 45459.
This annual festival is fun for the whole family. It lasts all season long and opens to the public circa the end of November.
Woodland Lights at Washington Township Recreation Center/Facebook In addition to observing the dazzling lights, there are also other activities such as amusement rides for kids and adults, live animals, carriage rides, bonfires, and concessions provided by a variety of local vendors, according to the event’s website. You can find more information on this year’s dates of operation and special attractions here.
Woodland Lights will absolutely light up your weekend (when this event is in season, it operates on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday each week). It opens at 6 p.m. and dazzles visitors until 9 p.m. on these days.
Woodland Lights at Washington Township Recreation Center/Facebook Please note: Woodland Lights will not be open on December 24 and 25.
During your visit, don’t forget to stop and visit Santa in his cozy log cabin. It’s a historic cabin with authentic features, including a beautiful limestone fireplace.
Woodland Lights at Washington Township Recreation Center/Facebook Please note: Santa will no longer be available for visits after December 23, as he’ll be busy preparing for his biggest night of the year.
Tickets to take this enchanting walk are $9 per person. Children ages 2 and under are free. (We recommend purchasing tickets in advance to ensure the event doesn’t sell out!)
Woodland Lights at Washington Township Recreation Center/Facebook For more information and to purchase tickets online, click here.
Each year, Woodland Lights features a new theme. It’s so much fun to see what the township’s holiday light masterminds dream up each and every year!
Woodland Lights at Washington Township Recreation Center/Facebook While there is an annual theme, you’ll likely see some of your other favorite Christmas characters among the displays too! It seems that each year of this epic event just grows bigger and better.
Woodland Lights is located at 895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Dayton, OH 45459. Have you ever been here before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like! We’d love to see any photos you took during your visit of this best winter hike in Ohio.
Woodland Lights at Washington Township Recreation Center/Facebook
You’ll find it at 895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Dayton, OH 45459.
In addition to observing the dazzling lights, there are also other activities such as amusement rides for kids and adults, live animals, carriage rides, bonfires, and concessions provided by a variety of local vendors, according to the event’s website. You can find more information on this year’s dates of operation and special attractions here.
Please note: Woodland Lights will not be open on December 24 and 25.
Please note: Santa will no longer be available for visits after December 23, as he’ll be busy preparing for his biggest night of the year.
For more information and to purchase tickets online, click here.
While there is an annual theme, you’ll likely see some of your other favorite Christmas characters among the displays too! It seems that each year of this epic event just grows bigger and better.
For more holiday fun in Ohio this year, check out our previous article: The North Pole Train Ride In Ohio That Will Take You On An Unforgettable Adventure.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Miamisburg Centerville Road, Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton, OH, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hike In Ohio October 11, 2019 Nikki Rhoades What are the best walk through light displays in Ohio? While the aforementioned Woodland Lights is one of the loveliest Christmas light hikes in Ohio, it is one of many that is worth visiting. Gallipolis in Lights is an annual hike amidst decked out Christmas trees that is downright enchanting, and Crocker Park up near Cleveland features an annual holiday tree garden that sets a scene worthy of a Hallmark movie. If you would prefer to stay cozy and not face the winter weather (which can be particularly unforgiving at night), you should check out Medina. They have an annual drive-thru light show that’s breathtaking, plus a year-round Christmas museum operates right in town! Can I go hiking in the winter in Ohio? Winter hiking in Ohio is absolutely breathtaking, if a little bit nippy. The state features a number of dramatic landscapes that are gorgeous all year round, but are particularly jaw-dropping in the winter. Don’t believe us? Just swing by one of our state’s stunning frozen waterfalls. As if there aren’t enough things to do in winter in Ohio, Lake Erie also offers its own fair share of wintertime attractions. Its lighthouse transforms from a landmark into a ginormous, wave-shaped ice sculpture, and those same waves create awe-invoking ice gardens along the lakeshore. What are the best parks to visit in the winter in Ohio? Be aware – wintertime in Ohio can be a truly unforgiving season. Some parts of the state are hit with lake effect snow, and other regions receive little more than a modest dusting. Each year is different, but locals consistently head to a few local parks in search of splendid wintertime hikes. Hiking in the state parks is always pleasing, and the Cleveland Metroparks hide a castle that appears to be straight out of a fairy tale each winter season. No matter where you go, you’ll find that there is something irresistible about snow-kissed trails… and you’ll surely find winter hiking in Ohio to be a treat!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hike In Ohio
October 11, 2019
Nikki Rhoades
What are the best walk through light displays in Ohio? While the aforementioned Woodland Lights is one of the loveliest Christmas light hikes in Ohio, it is one of many that is worth visiting. Gallipolis in Lights is an annual hike amidst decked out Christmas trees that is downright enchanting, and Crocker Park up near Cleveland features an annual holiday tree garden that sets a scene worthy of a Hallmark movie. If you would prefer to stay cozy and not face the winter weather (which can be particularly unforgiving at night), you should check out Medina. They have an annual drive-thru light show that’s breathtaking, plus a year-round Christmas museum operates right in town! Can I go hiking in the winter in Ohio? Winter hiking in Ohio is absolutely breathtaking, if a little bit nippy. The state features a number of dramatic landscapes that are gorgeous all year round, but are particularly jaw-dropping in the winter. Don’t believe us? Just swing by one of our state’s stunning frozen waterfalls. As if there aren’t enough things to do in winter in Ohio, Lake Erie also offers its own fair share of wintertime attractions. Its lighthouse transforms from a landmark into a ginormous, wave-shaped ice sculpture, and those same waves create awe-invoking ice gardens along the lakeshore. What are the best parks to visit in the winter in Ohio? Be aware – wintertime in Ohio can be a truly unforgiving season. Some parts of the state are hit with lake effect snow, and other regions receive little more than a modest dusting. Each year is different, but locals consistently head to a few local parks in search of splendid wintertime hikes. Hiking in the state parks is always pleasing, and the Cleveland Metroparks hide a castle that appears to be straight out of a fairy tale each winter season. No matter where you go, you’ll find that there is something irresistible about snow-kissed trails… and you’ll surely find winter hiking in Ohio to be a treat!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While the aforementioned Woodland Lights is one of the loveliest Christmas light hikes in Ohio, it is one of many that is worth visiting. Gallipolis in Lights is an annual hike amidst decked out Christmas trees that is downright enchanting, and Crocker Park up near Cleveland features an annual holiday tree garden that sets a scene worthy of a Hallmark movie. If you would prefer to stay cozy and not face the winter weather (which can be particularly unforgiving at night), you should check out Medina. They have an annual drive-thru light show that’s breathtaking, plus a year-round Christmas museum operates right in town!
Can I go hiking in the winter in Ohio?
Winter hiking in Ohio is absolutely breathtaking, if a little bit nippy. The state features a number of dramatic landscapes that are gorgeous all year round, but are particularly jaw-dropping in the winter. Don’t believe us? Just swing by one of our state’s stunning frozen waterfalls. As if there aren’t enough things to do in winter in Ohio, Lake Erie also offers its own fair share of wintertime attractions. Its lighthouse transforms from a landmark into a ginormous, wave-shaped ice sculpture, and those same waves create awe-invoking ice gardens along the lakeshore.
What are the best parks to visit in the winter in Ohio?
Be aware – wintertime in Ohio can be a truly unforgiving season. Some parts of the state are hit with lake effect snow, and other regions receive little more than a modest dusting. Each year is different, but locals consistently head to a few local parks in search of splendid wintertime hikes. Hiking in the state parks is always pleasing, and the Cleveland Metroparks hide a castle that appears to be straight out of a fairy tale each winter season. No matter where you go, you’ll find that there is something irresistible about snow-kissed trails… and you’ll surely find winter hiking in Ohio to be a treat!
