ODNR launches digital state parks passport challenge

OHIO — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is issuing a challenge to outdoor lovers with a new digital passport. 

ODNR’s Ohio State Parks Passport Challenge on OhioTrails+, powered by the OuterSpatial app, allows visitors to check in at each park and unlock a unique digital badge to record their visit at the parks. 

Outdoor lovers can use the app to check in at all 76 Ohio state parks, plus the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Each check-in is saved to the user’s profile, helping to keep track of where they have explored. Users will be ranked on a live leaderboard to show how they stack up against each other while exploring Ohio. ODNR said visitors can also upload photos of their experiences.

“Ohio’s 76 state parks are the best in the nation,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “Now, Ohioans have a new way to visit and explore our many beautiful state parks and track their adventures.”

The state’s parks recently were awarded the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation, making it the best park system within the country.

“Ohio’s state parks are some of the most beautiful and accessible in the country,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “This new digital passport makes exploring them even more fun, while encouraging families, friends and outdoor lovers to see everything our parks have to offer.”

ODNR said the program was made possible through a partnership with OuterSpatial, a platform that connects people with the outdoors and the official trail map for ODNR and Ohio state parks. Users can explore Ohio Trails+ by joining the “Ohio Community” tab on the app, which gives a library of trails, maps and points of interest.

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Ohio State Parks through this exciting new digital passport program,” said Ryan Branciforte, CEO of OuterSpatial. “Visitors can now use the OuterSpatial app to check in and collect unique, park-specific badges that can’t be earned anywhere else. Along the way, they’ll discover curated outings, featured trails, and hidden gems across all 76 state parks — helping visitors explore even more of Ohio’s incredible outdoors.”

OuterSpatial can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices. For more information, click here.