COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 16, 2025) – Outdoor enthusiasts now have a new way to explore Ohio’s award-winning state parks. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has rolled out the Ohio State Parks Passport Challenge on Ohio Trails+, powered by the free OuterSpatial app.
The program invites adventurers to check in at all 76 state parks, plus the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Each visit unlocks a unique digital badge saved to the user’s profile, allowing explorers to track their progress and share photos from their journeys. A live leaderboard will even rank participants as they make their way across the state.
“Ohio’s 76 state parks are the best in the nation,” Governor Mike DeWine said. “Now Ohioans have a new way to visit and explore our many beautiful state parks and track their adventures.”
The launch follows national recognition for Ohio’s system, which recently earned the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation, distinguishing it as the top state park system in the country.
ODNR Director Mary Mertz called the challenge “a fun way for families, friends, and outdoor lovers to experience everything our parks have to offer,” while OuterSpatial CEO Ryan Branciforte noted that the digital passport provides access to curated trails, hidden gems, and special park-specific badges.
The OuterSpatial app is free to download on iOS and Android devices. Once installed, users can join the “Ohio Community” tab to begin the Passport Challenge through Ohio Trails+.
For more information, visit ohiodnr.gov/ohiotrails.
