Jackson County Parks & Nature Preserves

The following list of parks and preserves includes those managed by federal, state, county, and non-governmental agencies (such as the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, various historical societies, etc.).

We have tried to collect information on the activities and facilities available at various parks, but things may change without us knowing about it. So please double-check the information at the official site (click on the park’s name to go there).

Broken ARO and Flint Run Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
Park size: 3,480 acres
Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
Particularly good site for bird watching

Buckeye Furnace (Ohio Historical Society)

123 Buckeye Park Rd. T-167, Wellston, OH 45692
Location: Buckeye Furnace is 10 miles east of Jackson, two miles south of State Route 124 on Buckeye Furnace Road in Jackson County.
Park size: 270 acres
Restored 19th century blast furnace, museum, and two nature trails. Site also contains wooden covered bridge. Check hours of operation before visiting.
TrekOhio posts about Buckeye Furnace

Coalton Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
Park size: 1,729 acres
Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
Particularly good site for bird watching

Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
Trail map
Park size: 5,421 acres
Total trail length: 20 miles
Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
Archery range
Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
Site includes remnants of 19th century Madison iron furnace

Jackson Lake (State Park)

35 Tommy Been Road Oak Hill, OH 45656
Park size: 106 acre park + 242 acre lake
Dog friendly (Not on beach)
Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
Particularly good site for bird watching
Camp sites
Restrooms
Boating, swimming (200 ft beach)

Lake Katharine (State Nature Preserve)

1703 Lake Katharine Rd., Jackson, OH 45640
GPS coordinates: N39 05.158′ W082 40.175′
Location: Located in Jackson County, 2 miles west from Jackson on State Street (County Road 76 or Beaver Pike); turn right and proceed 2 miles north on County Road 85 (Lake Katharine Road).
Park size: 2,019 acres
Total trail length: 6 miles
Permit required for use of watercraft on lake
TrekOhio posts on Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve

Leo Petroglyph (Ohio Historical Society)

Location: Leo Petroglyph is near the village of Leo, five miles northwest of Jackson, in Jackson County. Turn off of U.S. Route 35 on County Road 28, then left in Leo on Township Road 224.
Park size: 12 acres
Native American petroglyphs, hiking trail in adjacent gorge features seasonal waterfalls
TrekOhio posts about Leo Petroglyph State Memorial.

Liberty Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)