Guides for the great outdoors

As an outdoor enthusiast, I am a sucker for a great field guide, and in my six years of writing this column, I have come across some awesome, indispensible guidebooks, maps and websites. Here are just a few—stay tuned for more later this year—that have helped me get the most out of my adventures and hopefully these will provide you with the same opportunity. Enjoy! 

Ohio’s Lake Erie Public Access Guidebook, Rivers Edition 2013 covers 220 public access locations on Ohio’s river system across 21 counties. The in-depth writeups on the launch sites detail the variety of amenities and activities. 

To request a free hardcopy, PDF downloads or to use the interactive map, visit lakeerie.ohiodnr.com/gorivers.

The Lake Erie Public Access Color Brochure pinpoints 169 beaches, parks, hiking/biking trails preserves, launches and fishing sites directly along Lake Erie’s 312-mile Ohio coastline with access to the lake. This is my favorite; I refer to this very useful, free brochure often. It folds out with mapped locations and pertinent info all on one easy take-along sheet. 

Download or order a hardcopy at https://bit.ly/19qgNVf.

Accuweather is the ultimate indispensible tool for activity planning. This 25-day forecasting site uses the newest and most accurate weather tracking technologies. Type in your location to view precipitation chances, sunrise/set and moonrise, high/low temperatures, UV indexes, cloud cover, and wind speed/direction. 

accuweather.com.

Toledo Metroparks Program Guide is a great resource for local, outdoor fun. The quarterly publication is packed with activities throughout the parks from classes to guided hikes, fishing, biking, camping and more. 

View, download a copy or sign up for a free hard copy at metroparkstoledo.com.

The Official Ohio Travel Guide covers the state’s roster of outdoor activities, sporting events, festivals, dining, concerts, plays, and more. The interactive “create your itinerary” feature lets you customize your next adventure. When I am browsing for something to do, I type a particular date into the website’s event calendar and all statewide activities appear. 

Go to discoverohio.com to request a free hardcopy via snail mail, to use the calendar or download the PDF. You can also contact 1-800-BUCKEYE for more info. 

As an outdoor enthusiast, I am a sucker for a great field guide, and in my six years of writing this column, I have come across some awesome, indispensible guidebooks, maps and websites. Here are just a few—stay tuned for more later this year—that have helped me get the most out of my adventures and hopefully these will provide you with the same opportunity. Enjoy! 

Ohio’s Lake Erie Public Access Guidebook, Rivers Edition 2013 covers 220 public access locations on Ohio’s river system across 21 counties. The in-depth writeups on the launch sites detail the variety of amenities and activities. 

To request a free hardcopy, PDF downloads or to use the interactive map, visit lakeerie.ohiodnr.com/gorivers.

The Lake Erie Public Access Color Brochure pinpoints 169 beaches, parks, hiking/biking trails preserves, launches and fishing sites directly along Lake Erie’s 312-mile Ohio coastline with access to the lake. This is my favorite; I refer to this very useful, free brochure often. It folds out with mapped locations and pertinent info all on one easy take-along sheet. 

Download or order a hardcopy at https://bit.ly/19qgNVf.

Accuweather is the ultimate indispensible tool for activity planning. This 25-day forecasting site uses the newest and most accurate weather tracking technologies. Type in your location to view precipitation chances, sunrise/set and moonrise, high/low temperatures, UV indexes, cloud cover, and wind speed/direction. 

accuweather.com.

Toledo Metroparks Program Guide is a great resource for local, outdoor fun. The quarterly publication is packed with activities throughout the parks from classes to guided hikes, fishing, biking, camping and more. 

View, download a copy or sign up for a free hard copy at metroparkstoledo.com.

The Official Ohio Travel Guide covers the state’s roster of outdoor activities, sporting events, festivals, dining, concerts, plays, and more. The interactive “create your itinerary” feature lets you customize your next adventure. When I am browsing for something to do, I type a particular date into the website’s event calendar and all statewide activities appear. 

Go to discoverohio.com to request a free hardcopy via snail mail, to use the calendar or download the PDF. You can also contact 1-800-BUCKEYE for more info.