Hotel near Shawnee Lookout — 15 minutes to the trails, golf close by

Shawnee Lookout is a Great Parks of Hamilton County park on Lawrenceburg Road in North Bend, Ohio, just across the state line from us. It sits on the high ground above the spot where the Great Miami River empties into the Ohio, which is where the views come from.

From Express Inn & Suites, head east on US-50 through Lawrenceburg and into Ohio, then turn south onto Lawrenceburg Road; the park entrance is on the left about a mile and a half down. The drive is about 15 minutes. If you're coming from elsewhere on I-275, the Kilby Road exit in Ohio connects to US-50 and Lawrenceburg Road the same way.

Great Parks requires a motor vehicle permit for cars entering its parks, so check the Great Parks of Hamilton County website for current permit options before you go.

Hiking is the main event. Great Parks lists three nature trails: the Blue Jacket Trail at about 1.3 miles with an overlook above the Great Miami River, the Little Turtle Trail at about 2 miles, and the Miami Fort Trail at about 1.4 miles, which passes the remains of an ancient earthwork on the ridge. Put two of them together and you have a solid half-day hike with real elevation and wide river-valley views.

The park also has paved loops on the former golf course's cart paths, roughly 2 miles, 0.9 miles, and 1.4 miles long, open for walking, biking, strollers, and wheelchairs. They're a good option when the dirt trails are muddy or when someone in the group wants an easier route.

History fans can add a short stop in North Bend at the William Henry Harrison Tomb, the burial site of the ninth U.S. president, a few minutes from the park.

• Blue Jacket Trail: about 1.3 miles, Great Miami River overlook
• Little Turtle Trail: about 2 miles
• Miami Fort Trail: about 1.4 miles, earthwork site
• Paved former cart-path loops: about 2, 0.9 and 1.4 miles

Not anymore. The Shawnee Lookout Golf Course closed in 2019, and Great Parks took over the land and opened its cart paths as the paved trail loops above. Some older websites still list the course, so don't plan a tee time around it.

If you came to play, Sugar Ridge Golf Club is a public 18-hole course on State Line Road in Lawrenceburg, on our side of the line. Book tee times directly with the course. A morning round there and an afternoon hike at Shawnee Lookout make an easy two-part day from the hotel.

Start with a hot breakfast, which runs until 9:30 AM on weekdays and 10 AM on weekends, fill your water bottles from the in-room mini-fridge, and you're on the trail in about 15 minutes. Come back to the indoor heated pool, open until 9 PM, for tired legs, or book the King Whirlpool Suite if you'd rather soak in a jetted tub in your own room.

Trail dogs are welcome. We take up to 2 dogs or cats of any size in third-floor pet rooms for $25 per pet, per night, and there's a pet relief area on site; check Great Parks' pet rules before you bring a dog onto the trails. The guest laundry handles muddy socks and trail clothes, and free parking means the car stays put while you head out for dinner in downtown Lawrenceburg.