Outdoor Resources
Our goal at the Adventure Center is to give you the skills, experience and confidence you need to begin planning your own outdoor adventures. We would love to have you attend all of our trips and clinics, but if you're ready to get out there "On Your Own," check out these great resources below. Please help us keep our list up to date. If you know of another resource to add to this list, please email Chris Lukas, Assistant Director, Outdoor Adventure at clukas@kent.edu.
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Home and Virtual Adventures
- Indoor climbing training during COVID
Simple training plan with videos to train for rock climbing during COVID. - Friction Labs yoga for climbers
Keep your body healthy and improve your rock climbing skills with this descriptive tutorial. - Friction Labs videos
Check out these short videos on inspiring rock climbers. - Gripped Outdoor Climbing Videos
A resource for the most recent information, news, and community regarding rock climbing. - Rock climbing Yoga - Hip Flexors
Simple training video to help with hip and leg movements for rock climbing. - Yellowstone National Park Virtual Tours
A series of short and engaging virtual tours of the main attractions at Yellowstone National Park - How to get your Climbing fix during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic (website article)
A list of engaging books, movies, and other media to help you get your climbing fix during the COVID-19 Pandemic. - Simple Training for Climbing During COVID-19 (website article)
Simple training guide for climbing during COVID-19. - Rock Climbing - Petzl USA (website)
An encyclopedia of techniques and tips for rock climbers of all skill levels. - How Climbing Gear is Made (video)
A video showing the manufacturing process for different pieces of climbing equipment. - The Hidden Worlds of the National Parks (website/video)
A beautiful Interactive documentary showing off the hidden world that is our national park system. - Live Streaming Zoo and Aquariums (website article)
A list of zoo and aquarium live streams that let at home viewers see animals. - Free Virtual Travel Experiences (website)
7 free virtual travel experiences that lets viewers a home experience wonders of the world. - 6 Best Virtual Tours in New Zealand (website)
These virtual tours are a good representation of what New Zealand has to offer, whether you’re a Kiwi or a tourist interested in visiting the country. With these interactive experiences, you can learn about the culture, history, and legacy of the country.
- Indoor climbing training during COVID
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Biking & Cycling
- 22 Bike Trails in Northeast Ohio
A list of engaging and scenic multipurpose trails to explore in Northeast Ohio. - Akron Bicycle Club
A local recreational bicycle touring club in Akron, Ohio. - Better Biking in Ohio Map
Informational resources for biking in the state of Ohio. - Bike Ohio
Local bike shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. - Biking and Cycling in the Cleveland Metroparks
Informational resources for biking in the Cleveland Metroparks. - Kent Cycle
Local bike shop in Kent, Ohio. - KSU Biking on Campus website
Informational resources for biking at Kent State University. - Marty's Bike Shop
Local bike shop in Stow, Ohio. - MTB Project
Informative resource to locate mountain biking trails in your area. - Ohio to Erie Trail
Scenic 326 mile multipurpose trail connecting the Ohio River to the shores of Lake Erie. - Portage Hike and Bike Trail
A scenic, 7.7-mile, multipurpose trail from Ravenna to Kent and beyond.
- 22 Bike Trails in Northeast Ohio
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Climbing - Indoors
- Ascend
Bouldering gym in Youngstown Ohio - Claridon Woodlands Bouldering
A free form boulder wall located in Claridon Woodlands park. - Cleveland Rocks
A rock climbing and yoga gym in Cleveland, Ohio. The gym features lead climbing, top rope, auto-belays walls and a spacious bouldering area. - Climb Cleveland
A rock climbing, bouldering, and yoga gym in Cleveland Ohio. - Kendall Cliffs
Outfitting service and rock climbing gym in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. - Nosotros
A bouldering and community gym with two locations in the Cleveland, OH area. - On the Rocks
Rock climbing gym in Elyria Ohio. - Rock Mill
A bouldering, fitness, and yoga gym in Akron Ohio. - Shaker Rocks
A climbing, fitness, and yoga gym located in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
- Ascend
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Climbing - Outdoors
- Beach City Wildlife Area
Bouldering and climbing area near Beach City, OH. - Logtown
An old quarry that has been repurposed into a recreational climbing area. Logtown is located in Lisbon, Ohio and features 45 classic sport & traditional climb routes. - Mountain Project
A resource to track down and provide information for climbing spots and routes all over. - McConnells Mills State Park
Two climbing and rappelling areas at McConnells Mill State Park in Pennsylvania. - Mill Creek Park
A metropark in Youngstown, OH that allows bouldering within a permitted area of the park. - Northern Ohio climbing areas
An informational resource to help you locate climbing areas and communities across Ohio. - Sawyer Quarry
An old quarry that has been repurposed into a recreational climbing area. Sawyer quarry is located near Perrysburg, Ohio and offers climbing and rappelling opportunities. - Whipps Ledges
High quality sandstone ledges in Hinckley, OH that offer various traditional and top roping routes.
- Beach City Wildlife Area
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Disc Golf
- DG Course Review
An informative resource that lets users find, play, review and share disc golf courses. - Disc Golf Scene
An online community for disc golfers. - KSU Disc Golf Course
A source for information for disc golfing at Kent State University. - PDGA Disc Golf Course Finder
A resource to find and locate disc golf courses nearest to you. - Hudson Springs Park Disc Golf Course
A source of information about a local disc golf course in Hudson, Ohio. - West Branch Campgrounds Course
A source of information about a local disc course in the West Branch State Park.
- DG Course Review
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Hiking & Walking
- Kent Campus Walking Map (PDF)
7 routes ranging from 1/4-mile track to 3-mile walking routes - 10 Great Hiking Trails in Ohio (article)
Top 10 list of beautiful hikes to experience in the state of Ohio. - 10 of the Greatest Hiking Trails On Earth Are Right Here In Cleveland (article)
An informative list about the 10 greatest hiking trails in Cleveland, Ohio. - AAA State of Play - Outdoor Hiking for Beginners
Top 10 things for outdoor hiking for beginners. - All Trails
A resource to let you explore with confidence. AllTrails lets you view trails and routes in detail and read feedback so that you adventure anywhere. - City of Kent Parks and Recreation
A local park and recreation system for the city of Kent, Ohio. They maintain 17 areas for recreation, which include parks, athletic fields and recreation complexes. - Cleveland Metroparks
A local park system for Cuyahoga County and the city of Cleveland. They maintain 18 lake, forest and river areas for conservation and recreation. - Cooperrider Kent Bog State Nature Preserve
A park near to the city of Kent, Ohio, containing the living relics from the last ice age. - Cuyahoga Valley National Park Website
Ohio's very own national park, consisting of 50 square miles of beautiful river and forest nestled between the cities of Cleveland and Akron. - Eagle Creek Wildlife Area
Eagle Creek Wildlife are is a 2,341-acre state wildlife area located 5 miles east of the village of Ripley, Ohio, which is situated along the Ohio River. - Hiking Project
Informative resource to locate hiking trails around your area. - Jennings Woods
74-acre property owned by Kent State University for habitat study. Habitats include mature second-growth oak/maple forests, meadows, flood plain and depressional wetlands. - Kent State Food Insecurity Garden
A volunteer community garden that plants vegetables to provide to food-insecure children with a meal through the Mighty Pack Program. - Kent State Pollinator Habitat
A sustainable, restorative feature on the Kent Campus. It provides spaces for native species to thrive and includes interpretive elements for viewers. - Kent State University DeWeese Health Center Community Garden
A community garden focused on growing fresh produce, learning best-practice gardening techniques and managing stress through connection with nature. - Lake Metroparks
Local park system for Lake County. They maintain 35 lakefront, forest and river areas for conservation and recreation. - Ohio State Nature Preserves Map
A map showing the geographic location of Ohio's various nature preserves and the various regions they may be located in. - Ohio State Parks
State park system for the state of Ohio. They maintain an incredibly diverse 75 state parks, 21 state forests and 280 nature preserves and wildlife areas for conservation and recreation. - Ohio to Erie Trail
Scenic, 326-mile multipurpose trail connecting the Ohio River to the shores of Lake Erie. - Portage County Parks & Nature Preserves
List of the individual parks located in the Portage County Park District. - Portage Hike and Bike Trail
A scenic, 7.7-mile multipurpose trail from Ravenna to Kent and beyond. - Portage Park District
Local park system for Portage County. They maintain 13 lake, forest and river areas for conservation and recreation. Kent State University's Kent Campus is located inside of Portage County. - Salem Campus Indoor Walking Map (PDF)
- Salem Campus Outdoor Trails (image)
- Stark Campus Walking Map (PDF)
- Summit Metro Parks
Local park system for Summit County and the city of Akron. They maintain 16 lake, forest and river areas for conservation and recreation. - Towpath Trail
An 87-mile multipurpose trail that lets visitors experience regional history at their own pace.
- Kent Campus Walking Map (PDF)
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Paddling
- Cuyahoga River Water Trail
Designated as a protected water trail, the Cuyahoga River has over 90 miles of traversable river that the public can access and enjoy. - Wingfoot Lake State Park
Located in Portage County, Wingfoot Lake is a 444-acre lake that offers plenty of on- and off-water recreational activities. - City of Akron Watershed Division
Lake Rockwell Reservoir, Lake Pippen, LaDue Reservoir, East Branch Reservoir, Mogadore Reservoir and Rockwell South Canoe Launch
- Cuyahoga River Water Trail
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Places to Visit
- Beckwith Orchards
A local orchard in Kent Ohio offering fresh fruit and baked goods in a scenic setting. - Crown Point Ecology Center
The mission of Crown Point is to demonstrate the practical applications of ecology and to connect spirituality, social justice and environmental protection. - Main Street Kent
A non-profit organization focused on the promotion, beautification, and revitalization of downtown Kent. - Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
A non-profit organization focused on the promotion, beautification, and revitalization of downtown Kent. - The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes conserves a natural area, connects people with nature and inspires environmental stewardship. - The Wilderness Center
An education center to educate our community on issues related to our natural world, preserve and protect our natural lands, and inspires others to action.
- Beckwith Orchards
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Running
- Runners World
A resource for the most recent information, news, and events regarding running. - Muddy Paws
A resource for finding long distance running races and community. - Ohio to Erie Trail
Scenic 326 mile multipurpose trail connecting the Ohio river to the shores of Lake Erie. - Trail Run Project
Informative resource to locate running trails around your area.
- Runners World
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Skiing & Snowboarding
- Powder Project
Informative resource to locate ski trails around your area. - Boston Mills and Brandywine Resorts
Boston Mills and Brandywine are two separate ski areas owned and operated by Vail Resorts.
- Powder Project
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Useful Organizations and Information
- Friends of the Crooked River
A volunteer organization formed to give the 100-mile length of the Cuyahoga River a voice. They work to protect and care for our local river and its ecosystem. - Gohio Commute
Gohio helps commuters all across the state explore their commute options. - iNaturalist
An informative application that allows users to become more familiar about their natural environment through recording their observations and interacting with their community. - Kent State Office of Sustainability
A resource for information about our local habitats, and descriptions about the environments that Kent State University manages on its grounds. - Kent State Regional Campus - The Great Outdoors
Celebrate the natural wonder and outdoor spirit of America by reconnecting with nature. Use our lists of recreation areas and events to get started today. - Leave No Trace
With pioneering Science, hands-on training and simple guidelines, Leave No Trace helps you explore the outdoors sustainably every time you get outside. - Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Government agency tasked with managing Ohio's natural resources. - Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Government agency tasked with enforcing environmental laws and regulations. - REI's - Expert Advice Pages
A go-to source for all the information you need to learn new skills, choose and maintain gear, prep for your trips and have amazing adventures. - Stark Campus Recreation & Wellness Center
The Recreation & Wellness Center at Kent State Stark promotes physical, social and mental well-being. Students can also take for-credit classes in Physical Activity, Wellness & Sport (PWS) and Dance (DAN). - West Creek Conservancy
A nonprofit nature conservancy based in Cleveland working to make our city spaces cleaner and greener. - Western Reserve Land Conservancy
A nonprofit nature conservancy working to provide the people of our region with essential natural assets through land conservation and restoration.
- Friends of the Crooked River