There are many signs of spring: warmer, longer days; wildflowers begin blooming; and our woodland friends wake up from their long winter slumber. The most exciting sign of spring is Ohio’s Maple Syrup Festivals in your Ohio State Parks! To get your prepped to dip your pancakes this spring: here is a rundown of 4 Super Sweet Ohio Maple Syrup Festivals!

1) Hueston Woods‘ Maple Syrup Festival (March 3-4 & March 10-11)
Have you ever wondered how the making of maple syrup started? At Hueston Woods State Park, you’ll be treated to a tour of the sweet syrup’s history from the days of Native Americans, progressing through the modern methods we use today. From Noon – 4 PM, you can explore the Sugar Bush and see the sap getting turned into that golden brown deliciousness. You can also enjoy a warm pancake breakfast at the Hueston Woods Lodge from 7 AM to 1 PM for a small fee.

2) Malabar Farm‘s 36th Annual Maple Syrup Festival (March 3-4 & March 10-11)
History comes alive at Malabar Farm’s Maple Syrup Festival. Begin your adventure with a horse drawn wagon ride from the visitor’s center to the sugar shack, tucked back in the woods near the Pugh Cabin. When you arrive at the sugar camp, you can enter the shack and see the rich Pleasant Valley maple sap get turned into delicious maple syrup right before your very eyes. After touring the sugar shack, you’ll make a stop at the the summer bell house, where kids and adults can take part in daily pioneer chores like washing clothes, tending fire, making candles, and cooking. You can also stop in the gift shop and take home some of that delicious syrup for your own breakfast table! The festival is FREE to attend and runs from Noon – 4 PM.

3) Maple Sugaring in the Hills at Hocking Hills (March 10-11)
Anyone will tell you: there’s nothing quite like Hocking Hills in the State of Ohio. And there’s nothing quite like the maple syrup that comes from the hills! Enjoy the beauty of Hocking with a hike through the sugar bush and demonstrations of different cooking techniques that originated with early Native Americans. The fun will begin at noon and run until 4:00PM both days. The hikes and demos will begin at the Naturalist Cabin area, located behind the main Visitor Center at Old Man’s Cave.

4) Indian Lake‘s 27th Annual Maple Syrup Festival (March 17-18)
Get into the syrup spirit at Indian Lake, with tours beginning at 8 AM on a horse-drawn wagon ride through the sugar bush. You’ll make your way into the sugar shack and see pure maple sap being turned into that golden goodness.  Not only will you get to see the syrup being made, but you’ll be treated to live performances from the Madriver Valley Dulcimer Society at 9:30 AM on Saturday, and 10:30 AM on Sunday.  The Indian Lake Chamber will also be serving a pancake breakfast 8 AM – 2 PM, Saturday and 8 AM – 1 PM Sunday for a small fee.

We hope to see you out! Be sure to share your photos and stories on our Facebook page or leave a comment below.