Fog shrouds the southern Ohio foothills of the Appalachian Mountains as you gaze at the Ohio River bordering neighboring Kentucky in the distance. Just then the thwack! of a club hitting ball interrupts your reverie.

You're here to play golf, after all, and you'll hit plenty of balls at the Shawnee State Park Resort complex in Friendship, Ohio (85 miles south of Columbus). While you and your older children attack this 18-hole championship course, a few miles away the golfing agnostics in your family explore the 1,100-plus acres of park wilderness in Ohio's "Little Smokies."

Visitors stay in knotty-pine rooms and dine on family fare at the sprawling lodge's restaurant, with its sweeping view of the valley below. Everyone splashes in the indoor pool.

You might walk or take a horseback ride on nearly 50 miles of trails. Or paddle a canoe at Turkey Creek and Roosevelt lakes.

But it's almost certain that at some point you'll head back to the links. Take a breather on the No. 5 hole, soaking in a sweeping view of the river and course in a place where the whole family can find fun at winter's end.

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