Cyndi Griffith is shown here during an Ohio state parks stop at Put-in-Bay, Credit: Ohio Department of Natural Resources

PERRYSVILLE — When Cyndi Griffith picked up a simple paper passport at Mohican State Park on Groundhog Day 2025, she had no idea it would spark a yearlong quest across Ohio.

At the time, it was just a fun souvenir — something to tuck into a backpack and fill with stamps whenever she visited a state park.

But that small booklet would soon become the gateway to something much bigger: the first-ever completed Ohio State Parks OuterSpatial Digital Passport Challenge.
 
“I live in central Ohio and visit a lot of nearby parks already,” Griffith said. “But the challenge motivated me to explore places I’d never been.”
 
That motivation carried her across the state — from the gorges of Hocking Hills to the shores of Lake Erie, from quiet forest overlooks to drained lakes revealing unexpected landscapes.

Along the way, she not only checked in at every destination, but discovered just how much Ohio’s parks have to offer.

A challenge goes digital

When the passport challenge expanded into the free OuterSpatial app, it opened up a whole new world of exploration. For Griffith, it changed everything.
 
“Having maps available on the go made a big difference,” she said. “And being able to check in even without cell service was huge.”
 
Even as she embraced the digital side, she kept her paper passport close. She still logged her visits by hand, scribbling notes and memories in its pages.

And when she finished her final check-in on June 13 at South Bass Island State Park, she got to stamp it herself — a moment she describes as “a memorable highlight.”

Discovering Ohio a park at a time

Griffith didn’t just visit parks; she had experiences.
 
She walked Storybook Trails and decided they’re “a hidden gem.”
 
She noticed improvements happening across the state and appreciated the growing focus on accessibility.
 
But some discoveries were unforgettable in their own right.
 
“Guilford Lake at sunset with a crescent moon … that was something special,” she said.
Her favorite parks reflect her love of wild beauty — forests, rock formations, waterfalls, overlooks, and spring blooms.

Hocking Hills sits at the top, followed by Mohican, Nelson-Kennedy Ledges, Strouds Run, Great Seal, and Burr Oak. Kelleys Island, Beaver Creek, and John Bryan earned honorable mentions.

The journey between parks

For Griffith, the adventure didn’t stop at park boundaries.
 
“Planning road trips became part of the fun,” she said.
 
In true explorer spirit, she often added stops along the way:

  • the place where Dean Martin first performed.
  • the Buckeye Furnace State Memorial.
  • charming small towns and scenic routes she discovered on a whim.

“I enjoyed seeing others’ check-in photos too,” she added. “Following everyone’s journeys made me feel like I was part of something bigger.”

Tips from the first finisher

After completing the entire challenge, Griffith has plenty of advice:

  • Double‑check directions — many parks have multiple entrances.
  • Look at maps ahead of time so you can make the most of your visit.
  • Check hours if you want to stop at a lodge, shop, or nature center.
  • Reserve golf carts early when visiting Lake Erie islands.
  • Take the scenic route when possible.
  • Read the Activities and History sections on park websites—they’re full of hidden gems.

And most importantly: “Have fun and make memories. That’s what this whole challenge is about.”

A community of explorers

What began with a paper passport on a cold February day grew into a statewide journey filled with new places, new knowledge, and countless surprises.

Griffith’s completion of the Digital Passport Challenge isn’t just a personal milestone — it’s a testament to the spirit of discovery that Ohio State Parks inspire.
 
Whether you’re a weekend hiker, a road trip enthusiast, or someone who simply loves finding quiet places in nature, Griffith’s journey shows that Ohio’s parks have something for everyone.
 
Now that she’s crossed the finish line, one question remains: who will be next?
 
For more information visit the Ohio State Parks OuterSpatial Digital Passport Challenge.