Parks Manager

National parks near Franklin County, Ohio

Franklin County is one town for park planning. See national parks near Columbus — it reaches the same parks.

The closest national park to Franklin County, Ohio is Cuyahoga Valley National Park — about 116 mi (186 km) away, or roughly 3 hr 11 min of driving.

Nothing here is a comfortable day trip — the nearest parks are better as an overnight or a weekend.

National parks near Franklin County

Parks ranked by distance from Franklin County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park116 mi (186 km)3 hr 11 minBest as a weekend
Point Pelee National Park140 mi (226 km)3 hr 46 minBest as a weekend
New River Gorge National Park167 mi (269 km)4 hr 24 minBest as a weekend
Indiana Dunes National Park243 mi (391 km)6 hr 12 minWorth a longer road trip
Mammoth Cave National Park255 mi (411 km)6 hr 29 minWorth a longer road trip
Shenandoah National Park268 mi (431 km)6 hr 47 minWorth a longer road trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park303 mi (488 km)7 hr 37 minWorth a longer road trip
Rouge National Park335 mi (539 km)8 hr 22 minWorth a longer road trip
Bruce Peninsula National Park370 mi (595 km)9 hr 12 minWorth a longer road trip
Georgian Bay Islands National Park375 mi (603 km)9 hr 19 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Franklin County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Franklin County?

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, about 116 mi (186 km) away and roughly 3 hr 11 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from Franklin County in a day?

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.