Southwest Ohio

Copyright: Patty Elton-Interactive Outdoors, Inc. Lawn and slice of sand welcome lake swimmers to Caesar Creek State Park

Attractions - Featuring 3 federal sites and 14 state sites, Southwest Ohio provides the traveler with a variety of choices. Boaters and anglers find a wide selection of lakes including Clarence J. Brown Reservoir, Caesar Creek, Cowan Lake and Kiser Lake. Each support healthy catches of bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. Marina and mooring facilities round out the sport. Fossil finds attract thousands each year to the receded banks of Caesar Creek State Park while Paint Creek State Park entices whitewater enthusiasts during times of scheduled releases. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park commemorates three exceptional men - Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar - and their work in the Miami Valley. The William Howard Taft National Historic Site, offers the public an opportunity to tour the home of the only person to serve as both President (1909-13) and Chief Justice of the United States (1921-30).

Recreation - Recreation opportunities in Ohio explore state and national lands where facilities provide users the enjoyment of hiking, camping, picnicking, mountain biking, horseback riding, viewing historical sites, rock climbing, scuba diving, wildlife watching, boating of various types, fishing, swimming, and an array of winter sports.

Climate - This state has four distinct seasons and a brilliant fall foliage display in it southern woods during mid October. Winter lasts from December through February with average temperatures near 25 degrees F. Low temperatures dip to single digits, but do not often drop below zero. Northern regions of the state receive average snowfall amounts of 55 inches, while the central and southern regions of the state receive lesser amounts with averages near 30 inches. This difference is caused by lake-affect moisture patterns.

Spring temperatures begin to warm the landscapes of Ohio by mid March and are in full swing by April. Temperatures range from 40 through 70 degrees F through the spring months. This season often brings the most rainfall, before the drying heat of summer. Summer can be extremely hot and humid in the interior of Ohio. Temperatures reach above 90 degrees F frequently through July and August. Cooler fall temperatures don't reach the region until mid to late September. This is a pleasant time to visit as the air is crisp with low humidity levels. Ohio's annual precipitation usually reaches slightly above 50 inches.

Location - Much of it untouched by the Ice Age, Southwest Ohio includes the beautiful cities of Dayton and Cincinnati. The region stretches north to include Greenville and Urban, reaches east to Washington Courthouse, and south to Peebles. Southwest Ohio is bordered by the Ohio River to the south and the state of Indiana to the west.