Make the Most of Your Fall Escape to Ohio’s Mohican Wilderness
Ohio might seem like an unconventional choice for a memorable and unique getaway, but the Mohican Wilderness is a lesser-known escape for those seeking adventure, relaxation and a connection with nature. Easy to reach by car from major cities in Ohio like Columbus and Cleveland, as well as Upstate New York and Niagara, Canada, this peaceful retreat is sure to become a core memory.
This nature area, home to Mohican State Park and bucket-list accommodations such as The Mohicans Treehouse Resort near Loudonville, becomes even more magical in the fall when the leaves turn and dense forests take on vibrant shades of orange, yellow and crimson. Here's what to expect when staying in a treehouse, what to pack, and the activities you simply cannot miss.
01 Stay in a treehouse at The Mohicans Treehouse Resort
Staying in a treehouse in the Mohican Wilderness at The Mohicans Treehouse Resort is a bucket-list-worthy experience. The property is a luxury resort in Glenmont, Ohio, approximately 20 minutes from Loudonville, and features a mix of treehouse, cabin, and country home-style accommodations. After staying in two of the treehouses at this property (The Silver Bullet and the Wildwood Tent), I think this is a must-try while visiting the area. These structures are artfully built around the towering trees, integrating modern comfort with nature.
Perhaps the most unique option is to stay in the Silver Bullet treehouse which is a vintage Airstream trailer that is positioned in a tree, requiring two flights of stairs to access it. While this might sound rustic, once inside you are welcomed with a luxurious bathroom featuring a black and white tiled floor, a steam sauna shower, and an ornate vanity.
The property invites you to disconnect to reconnect with nature since there is limited cell service. Wi-Fi is only available in some of the cabins, country homes and treehouses. During my stay, it was refreshing to put my phone away and bring some DVDs to watch in an old-school style before bed at night. I was reminded of the simple pleasures that come from bird-watching on the deck in the morning while sipping coffee, cooking a simple meal in a compact kitchen space, and watching deer run through the forest at dusk while sitting by the campfire.
02 What to pack for a treehouse adventure
To be prepared for a treehouse adventure, there are a few essentials you'll want to pack. While the treehouses are well-equipped with everything you need to cook your meals, you need to bring all of your own food for your stay. There is a mini-fridge inside each treehouse to store perishables, and a camp stove is available to cook on. The treehouses have running water, towels, shampoos, and soaps. You'll want to bring bottled water for drinking, though.
For a fall retreat, be sure to pack your leggings or long pants, extra layers for evenings by the campfire, hiking boots and a rain jacket for exploring the trails in nearby Mohican State Park. Mosquitos can be fierce at dusk, so pack your bug spray in early fall before temperatures become cold.
Also, plan to bring some DVDs or download movies to your iPad to watch while you're offline. Board games are also a must-bring if you're visiting with a group!
03 Treehouse amenities: What to expect
The amenities you get access to at The Mohicans Treehouse Resort vary between treehouses, but all of them have modern comforts such as heating, air conditioning, comfortable beds, sheets, towels, shampoo, dish soap, and kitchenware. The treehouses are also equipped with coffee machines and ground coffee as well.
There is no Internet in many of the treehouses, limited cell service, and nowhere on the property to purchase items such as food, drinks, or firewood; you'll have to travel to Loudonville for these items during your stay.
By remaining free of retail experiences, the property retains its "remote" feel and allows you to unplug not just from the Internet but from commercial aspects of everyday life while remaining comfortable through luxury amenities.
04 Explore the Mohican State Park
The Mohican State Park is a 15-minute drive from the Mohicans Treehouse Resort and is a must-explore destination for leaf-peeping when visiting during the fall. The Mohican State Park is a 1,110-acre public recreation on Pleasant Hill Lake and is surrounded by the expansive Mohican-Memorial State Forest.
To see the leaves at their peak fall color, consider visiting in October. Many of the trails in the park feature scenic overlooks that will allow you to photograph the vibrant foliage as far as the eye can see. The Gorge Overlook Trail was my favorite for this experience because it has a lookout spot at both ends of the trail, so you get a scenic view at the beginning and end of the hike.
Other fun outdoor activities to try while visiting the park during the fall include kayaking, fishing, and wildlife spotting. You can try your luck at catching largemouth bass, bluegill, and white crappies in the park's streams and at Pleasant Hill Lake. There is also the 25-mile (40 km) Mohican Mountain Bike Trail that takes you through the very best viewpoints in the park at a quicker pace. Tubing is another popular pastime in the Mohican River, with various access points located across the park. Tube rentals are available from multiple companies in the area, including Mohican Adventures.
05 Hiking the Hemlock Gorge Trail
The Hemlock Gorge Trail is one of the most popular hiking routes in the Mohican State Park, known for its scenic viewpoints and peaceful forest paths. The 10.9 mile (17.5-km) loop will take around 4.5 hours to complete, on average, so be sure to leave yourself lots of time to finish before dusk by starting earlier in the day. While the trail is regarded as difficult, this is primarily due to its length rather than the difficulty of the terrain, so it is suitable for anyone of a moderate fitness level.
For optimal fall weather and foliage, the best time to complete this hike is in early to mid-October when temperatures are cooler (wear an extra layer that you can remove if you become warm during the hike) and the colors of the leaves are at their peak.
06 Visit Ohio's Amish Country
Another fun adventure in the Mohican Wilderness is to visit Ohio Amish Country for a cultural experience. Holmes County is Ohio's largest Amish settlement, so a day trip here from the Mohicans Treehouse Resort is worthwhile to experience attractions like the Amish Country Theatre, Hershberger's Farm and Bakery, and Yoder's Amish Farm. This is an opportunity to learn about Amish culture and lifestyle by visiting homemade furniture stores like Schrock's Heritage Furniture or trying delicacies such as fresh baked goods at Miller's Bakery.
07 Go canoeing or kayaking on the Mohican River
Tubing is one way to explore the Mohican River, but you can also rent a canoe or kayak to get out on the water and admire the fall colors. Traveling downstream provides a fresh perspective on the foliage that you cannot get from land, so add this to your Ohio fall bucket list.
In addition to Mohican Adventures, you can rent tubes, canoes, and kayaks at River Run Canoe Livery in Loundonville or Loudonville Canoe Livery.
08 Explore the Loudonville Canoe Livery
Loudonville is a charming village that is affectionately nicknamed the "Canoe Capital of Ohio". Perhaps the most famous of the canoe liveries here is the Loudonville Canoe Livery, which offers tube, canoe, and kayak rentals. This quaint village with a picturesque main street close to the Mohican Wilderness serves as the ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts visiting Ohio.
09 Visit Clear Fork Gorge State Preserve
The Clear Fork Gorge State Preserve is a must-see in the Mohican Wilderness during the fall. This 29-acre area is home to towering white pines and eastern hemlocks, providing a landscape of harvest-tones in yellows and browns when the needles on the trees change during fall.
To get the best photos in this area, plan your visit for sunrise or sunset, shooting from a low angle to capture the height of the trees. The preserve opens half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset.
10 Go horseback riding at Mohican wilderness
Yet another way to take in the fall colors in the Mohican Wilderness is on horseback. Elevate the relaxation of your visit by connecting with a majestic horse while traversing the scenic landscapes near Loundonville. There is nothing more soothing than the crisp fall air blowing between a horse's ears.
The Red Barn offers public trail rides in the Mohican Wilderness, with options for a one-hour or two-hour guided ride. If you're a beginner trail rider, be sure to wear long pants that are tight at the ankle (like leggings or skinny jeans) and boots with a slight heel for a comfortable experience.
11 Zipline through the treetops
For another unique view of the Mohican Wilderness, cruise through the colorful treetops this fall on a zipline adventure. Feel the fresh fall air kissing your cheeks as you fly above the leaves, looking down at the forest floor.
Thrill seekers should aim for mid-October to see the foliage at its optimal vibrant hues. Mohican Adventures has six aerial high-ropes courses that become increasingly challenging, taking you 12 to 42 feet above the trees and Mohican River.
12 Explore the Mohican Covered Bridge
The Mohican Covered Bridge is a scenic, historic landmark in the region that you will almost certainly pass by chance while visiting. However, it's worth stopping to take a photo of it, especially in the fall when the autumn leaves create a vibrant backdrop that contrasts the rustic wood of the bridge. Sunrise or sunset are prime times to capture the beauty with soft, warm lighting.
13 Visit Malabar Farm State Park
Malabar Farm State Park is located in the Pleasant Valley, a short drive from the Mohican Treehouse Resort, and preserves the legacy of Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield. Once Bromfield's dream, today Malabar Farm lives on as a conservation area for the nature of the area, and it is also an active farm.
When you visit, you can engage in a variety of fall fun such as taking a guided tour of the 32-room Big House, that was designed by Bromfield. You can also take in the scenery on the 12 miles of trails on the property or go fishing in the property's ponds.
14 Relax and unwind in the hot tub at the Treehouse Resort
If you choose to book one of the country homes at The Mohicans, you can enjoy access to a private hot tub during your stay. These hot tubs only operate seasonally, so be sure to confirm their availability falls within your booking dates. Soaking in the frothy, warm water is the perfect way to unwind after a day of outdoor activities in the tranquil Mohican Wilderness.
15 Visit the Wolf Creek Grist Mill
For a final historical stop on your tour of the Mohican Wilderness this fall, pay a visit to the Wolf Creek Grist Mill, located on Ohio State Route 3, half a mile south of Mohican State Park. The historic mill was built in 1831 and was moved to its location next to the Pine Run Steam in 1971. Today, it sits in a prime spot for stunning autumn photos with rustic wood set against a colorful backdrop of orange and red leaves, with the trickling stream in the foreground.
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