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| Home Available Trail Guides Accommodations & Restuarants Arts & Culture Handmade & Homegrown Historic Sites & Museums Industrial & Transportation Natural Heritage Scenic Byways Underground Railroad Submit Trail Listing
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The spectacular natural environment is what sets Ohio’s Hill Country apart from the rest of the state. Our region is defined as the state’s unglaciated area, which gives us our gently rolling hills dotted by farm fields and historic farmsteads; steeper hills and creek valleys of the coal region; heavily forested state parks and the Wayne National Forest; and the protected ecosystem of the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. Ohio’s Hill Country is the ideal place for both quiet enjoyment of nature’s best or more active outdoor recreational activities. Whatever you and your family most enjoy, you can find it here. Wildflower walks and fall foliage hikes; picnicking, camping, boating, fishing and hunting; bicycle and horseback riding are all offered throughout the region. Every season brings a new perspective on the natural beauty of Ohio’s Hill Country. Ohio’s Hill Country’s natural heritage can be enjoyed in
every county. Some of the highlights follow: Resources to Explore: Beaver Creek State ParkBeaver Creek State Park offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy outdoor recreational activities in a scenic location, as well as to visit Gaston’s Mill and Pioneer Village to learn about the region’s rich history. Beaver Creek has miles of hiking and bridle trails that traverse a gorge, forests, meadows and Little Beaver Creek (a state and national wild and scenic river). Gaston’s Mill and Pioneer Village offer a peek into life in Ohio during the first half of the 19th century. The park is open year round, while Gaston’s Mill and Pioneer Village are open seasonally from May through October. 12021 Echo Dell Road East Liverpool, Ohio www.ohiostateparks.org Buckeye Trail (Passes through 14 counties in Ohio’s Hill Country) This extraordinary trail, which covers over 1,200 miles and passes through 40 of Ohio’s 88 counties, traverses a wide range of physical environments. Some of the most scenic stretches of the Buckeye Trail pass through Ohio’s Hill Country connecting small towns, open farmland, forests and creek valleys. The trails are maintained by volunteers and marked with a “blue blaze” symbol. The Buckeye Trail headquarters is located in the restored Kennedy Stone House (1824) in Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County) and is open to visitors. Detailed maps, each covering approximately 50 miles, can be purchased from the Buckeye Trail Association at 1-800-881-3062. www.buckeyetrail.org Burr Oak State Park (Athens and Morgan Counties) Located in the heavily forested hills of Southeastern Ohio, Burr Oak State Park features Burr Oak Lake as its centerpiece. Boating, hiking and camping are favorite activities in this park as it changes with the seasons. State Route 78, the Morgan County Scenic Byway connects Burr Oak State Park and the Wilds through nearly 40 miles of breathtaking scenery. Rt. 2 Glouster, Ohio www.ohiostateparks.org Dysart Woods (Belmont County) Dysart Woods comprises the largest known unglaciated oak forest in Appalachian Ohio. Some of the specimens of trees are 300-400 years old and the forest is a National Natural Landmark, as well as a botanical research laboratory for Ohio University’s Eastern Campus. Located approximately 9 miles from I-70 on Rt. 147. For information about the organization trying to preserve Dysart Woods visit www.dysartwoods.org www.dysartwoods.org Edge of Appalachia Preserve (Adams County) Owned and managed by the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science, this nature preserve contains one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the Midwestern United States. This partnership is protecting the habitat for some 100 rare species of plants and animals. The preserve is open from sunrise to sunset. Science Programs for teens and pre-teens, adult and family programs are offered seasonally. For further information or to arrange group tours, call the preserve manager. (937) 544-2880 www.cincymuseum.org Highlands Nature Sanctuary & Retreat (Highland County) The gorges, ravines, forests and meadows of this 1200-acre nature preserve have been protected through purchase by a non-profit organization. The sanctuary is designed for those who want to experience a sabbatical from everyday life in a pristine natural environment. Lodging, workshops and hiking are all offered with advance registrations. Visitors are reminded that this is not a recreational destination, but rather a place for renewal and transformation. 937-365-1935 Bainbridge, Ohio www.highlandssanctuary.org Hocking Hills (Fairfield, Hocking and Athens Counties) Ohio’s Hocking Hills region is one of the most popular year-round destinations in the state. Its state parks, nature preserves and variety of outdoor activities showcase the spectacular natural environment that defines Ohio’s Hill Country. Among its most popular locations are the great rock formations at Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs and Cedar Falls. No matter what your interest – outdoor recreation, camping or luxurious B&Bs, unwinding and relaxing, or just enjoying the beauty of nature – you will find it in the Hocking Hills. www.hockinghills.com Lake Hope State Park/Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County) Lake Hope State Park is located entirely within the 26,824-acre Zaleski State Forest in the valley of Big Sandy Run. The region is rugged and heavily forested with steep gorges and narrow valleys. Remnants of early mining and iron-producing industries can be found and the beautiful scenery makes it a favorite for hikers, nature lovers, historians and photographers alike. Some of the facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. A one-room schoolhouse has been preserved and serves as the interpretive center. The historic dining lodge is open seasonally. 27331 State Route 278 McArthur, Ohio www.ohiostateparks.org Muskingum River Parkway (Coshocton, Muskingum, Morgan and Washington Counties) This linear parkway parallels the Muskingum River for 110 miles as it winds its way from eastern Ohio to the Ohio River. It features 10 historic locks (built in the 1840s) and dams which comprise the nation’s only remaining hand-operated river locks. The historic navigation system was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Engineers. Interesting towns and rural landscapes are connected by this parkway route. Boaters wishing to pass through the locks should contact the park office (740-674-4794 or Muskingum.parks@dnr.state.oh.us) for current fees when planning a trip. www.ohiostateparks.org Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Islands along the Ohio River from Adams County to Columbiana County, comprising over 3,000 acres, have been purchased to protect and restore the wildlife habitat native to the river’s floodplain. Birds, mammals, fish, freshwater mussels and other wildlife are protected. Visitors are welcome from sunrise to sunset. Self-guided tours are available on Middle Island (north of Marietta) and Muskingum Island (south of Marietta). For further information and a map of the entire system contact. (304) 422-0752 Raven Rocks (Monroe County) Raven Rocks, a protected natural area, was purchased by a group of Quakers in 1970 to protect it from stripmining. Today, it is used to demonstrate how man and nature can peacefully coexist through innovative energy conservation and production. Raven Rocks is open for hiking and nearly 45,000 Christmas trees have been planted. 3 miles north of Beallsville of SR 145 www.ravenrocks.org Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey) The largest of Ohio’s state parks (which includes over 20 located in Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area), Salt Fork State Park offers a wide variety of physical environments including rural countryside, forested hills, numerous streams and the Salt Fork Reservoir. The park and its lodge are open year-round and activities include boating, fishing, hunting, hiking and bridle trails, a nature center, camping, indoor and outdoor pools. 14755 Cadiz Road Lore City, Ohio www.ohiostateparks.org Shawnee State Forest (Scioto County) Located on the former hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians, this state park is known for its rugged beauty. Covering 60,000 acres of hardwood forest near the banks of the Ohio River, the park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. Overnight accommodations include a lodge, cottages and campsites. (740) 858-6211 4404 State Route 125 Portsmouth, Ohio www.ohiostateparks.org The Wilds (Muskingum County) Imagine driving along a quiet two-lane country road and seeing exotic animals such as a zebra or a white rhinoceros. If you travel to the Wilds in Ohio’s Hill Country you will experience wildlife in a unique environment. Located on fourteen square miles of reclaimed surface-mined land donated by American Electric Power, the Wilds is an innovative institution seeks to conserve wildlife through educational programs, scientific research, and sound wildlife management techniques. Now managed by the well-respected Columbus Zoo, the Wilds offers interpretive exhibits, guided tours, a gift shop and picnic area that make the visit enjoyable for the entire family. (740) 638-2286 14000 International Road Cumberland, Ohio www.thewilds.org Wayne National Forest (portions of 11 counties in southeastern Ohio) Covering over 178,000 acres in the foothills of the Appalachians, the Wayne National Forest features rugged hills with diverse stands of hardwoods, pine and cedar; streams, rivers and lakes; wildlife; rock formations and historic buildings. The National Forest lands are available for primitive camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing. The developed trails can be also used by horseback riders. The headquarters of the Wayne National Forest was recently constructed and reflects the architecture of the rural agricultural and mining heritage of the region. It has a visitors’ information center with permanent displays and brochures about the region. (740) 753-0101 13700 U.S Rt. 33 Nelsonville, Ohio www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne
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