Girl Scouts Love State Parks

It’s time to lead the way at your favorite state parks and help create a better planet for all! How? By heading out to explore Ohio’s State Parks during this year’s Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend!

Don’t miss out on this year’s fun! On September 11, 12, and 13, Girl Scouts can participate in naturalist programs, self-guided tours, family hikes, and more!

Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville, OH
Great Council State Park in Xenia, OH
Hueston Woods State Park in College Corner, OH
Independence Dam State Park in Defiance, OH
Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon, OH

Explore the activities below, presented by our friends at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and register for your favorites today!

Plus, download your FREE passport activity sheet to guide you toward adventure and unlock a new patch.

Caesar Creek State Park | Waynesville, OH toggle arrow

One of southwest Ohio’s most popular state parks with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can enjoy a large lake (the deepest inland lake in Ohio!), beautiful, wooded ravines, fossil collecting (free permit required through the Army Corps of Engineers, unless participating in a Naturalist program), a historic Pioneer Village, and a newly renovated Nature Center with live reptiles, fish, and birds of prey.

Saturday, September 12

Great Council State Park | Xenia, OH toggle arrow

Ohio’s newest state park celebrates nature, history, and the stories of the Shawnee people. Visitors can explore peaceful trails, learn about wildlife, and discover the rich culture of the Indigenous communities who once lived along the Little Miami River. The park’s museum and interpretive center feature hands-on activities and displays that help bring the past to life.

Historic Displays — Engage with hands-on displays, bridging past and present and igniting your curiosity.
Gallery Space — Discover awe-inspiring exhibits showcasing the artistry and heritage of the region’s vibrant cultures and modern Shawnee life.
Theater Space — Immerse yourself in a short film where modern Shawnee voices illuminate the history of Great Council from their unique perspectives.
Living Stream — Get your hands wet and learn about how Shawnee people made use of Ohio’s waterways.
Gift Shop — Take home a piece of history with unique keepsakes and print materials, such as historical books and aps, connecting you to the park’s enduring legacy.

Saturday, September 12

Hueston Woods State Park | College Corner, OH toggle arrow

The limestone and shale bedrock of the Hueston Woods region provides evidence of the ancient shallow sea that once covered Ohio. Fossilized remnants of ancient marine animals are so abundant that the park attracts collectors year-round. Fossil hunting is just the beginning of the outdoor adventures found at this park which also has opportunities for hiking, disc golf, fishing, and more. The park also features a Haiku Trail, the first of its kind in Ohio.

The park’s Nature Center is open daily and features interactive displays related to the park’s history, geology, and Ohio's native plants and animals. The Nature Center and surrounding area is also home to a variety of live animals including fish, reptiles, birds of prey, and mammals.

Saturday, September 12

Sunday, September 13

Independence Dam State Park | Defiance, OH toggle arrow

This park, nestled along Ohio’s scenic Maumee River just east of Defiance and across from GSWO’s Camp Libbey, is a peaceful riverside escape. The park blends rich history - featuring remnants of the old Miami & Erie Canal — with a wide range of outdoor activities. A quiet 3-mile trail follows the old canal towpath and shady picnic areas are found along the riverbank.

Friday, September 11

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | History and S’mores | All Ages

Saturday, September 12

Sunday, September 13

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Reel Fun Sunday | All Ages

Maumee Bay State Park | Oregon, OH toggle arrow

This park features a resort lodge and cabins nestled among scenic meadows, wet woods, and lush marshes. Visitors enjoy the campground, inland lake, accessible boardwalk trail, and the Storybook Trail. More than 300 species of birds have been observed here.

Don’t miss the newly renovated Nature Center featuring displays related to the park’s natural history, a bird watching area, and multiple live specimens of native reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Up for a hike? Follow the boardwalk to the Eagle Nest Observation Area (check-out the Outing in the OuterSpatial trails app!).