Licking 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).

Blackhand Gorge (State Nature Preserve)

• 2200 Gratiot Rd SE, Newark, OH 43056
• GPS coordinates: N40 03.364′ W082 13.100′
• Location: Located in Licking County 8 miles east of Newark on State Route 16, exit southeast on State Route 146 and go 1/4 mile to County Road 273. The preserve’s entrance and parking lot are 1.5 miles south on County Road 273 just outside of Toboso.
• Trail map
• Park size: 957 acres
• Total trail length: 10 miles
• At least some parts are handicap accessible
• Restrooms
• TrekOhio posts about Blackhand Gorge

Blackhand Gorge Trail (Bike Path)

• Transits: Blackhand Gorge Nature Preserve – along Licking River
• Total trail length: 4 miles
• At least some parts are handicap accessible
• Restrooms
• Paved multi-use trail

Buckeye Lake (State Park)

• 2905 Liebs Island Road, Millersport, OH 43046
• Park size: 3,100 acre lake
• Dog friendly (Not on the beach)
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)

Cranberry Bog (State Nature Preserve)

• Location: Located about 100 yards off the north shore of Buckeye Lake, just west of Cranberry Point. Access is only by permit from the Division due to the fragile nature of the bog mat. The island is accessible only by boat; a boardwalk is present. A public open house is held each June during the peak of orchid blooming.
• Park size: 10 acres
• Permit required
• Boardwalk around bog. Contact Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society for additional information
• TrekOhio posts about Cranberry Bog

Dawes Arboretum (Private botanical garden – open to Public)

• 7770 Jacksontown Rd., Newark, OH 43056
• Trail map
• Park size: 1,800 acres
• Total trail length: 8 miles
• TrekOhio posts about Dawes Arboretum

Dillon Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Park size: 3,612 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.
• Good site for bird watching

Flint Ridge (State Memorial)

• 15300 Flint Ridge Rd., Glenford, OH 43739
• GPS coordinates: N39.990322,W82.260004
• Location: Flint Ridge is located at the intersection of County Road 668 and County Road 312 (Flint Ridge Rd.) near Brownsville in Licking County. It’s just 4 miles north of I-70.
• Total trail length: 1.5 miles
• Restrooms
• There is an on-site museum that’s open on the weekends from May through October except for holidays. It’s worth checking out and the staff was very helpful. When I was there a staff person showed me how to operate a flint drill. There is a flint quarry with diorama inside the building. The trails pass some depressions in the woods that are the remains of old, Native American quarries. The grounds are open during daylight hours all year long.
• Location on Google Maps

Hebron Fish Hatchery (State Fish Hatchery)

• Location: Take SR 37 south off I-70, after two miles turn left on SR 79 and go another two miles and turn left on Canal Rd; the hatchery is one mile on the right.
• Park size: 230 acres
• Total trail length: 2.5 miles
• Archery range
• Good site for bird watching
• Open to public M-F 8 AM – 3 PM

Infirmary Mound Park (County)

• 4351 Lancaster Road, Granville, Ohio
• Trail map
• Park size: 318 acres
• Bridle trails
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Restrooms
• Hiking & bridle trails, sledding. Native American mound.

Lobdell Reserve (County)

• 3100 Mounts Road, Alexandria, Ohio
• Trail map
• Park size: 210 acres
• Total trail length: 8 miles
• Bridle trails
• Mountain bike trails
• Restrooms
• Hunting privileges with membership. Disc gold course

Morris Woods (State Nature Preserve)

• 7495 Dutch Lane, Johnstown, Ohio
• Location: Located in Licking County, 2 miles northeast of Johnstown on U.S. Route 62; go .5 mile east on Dutch Lane Road to the preserve entrance. Parking lot and trail are present.Licking County manages this state nature preserve.
• Park size: 107 acres

Moundbuilders (State Memorial)

• 455 Hebron Rd., Heath, OH 43056
• GPS coordinates: N40.041185,W82.431001
• Site of the Great Circle Earthworks and the Great Circle Museum; also known as the Newark Earthworks
• TrekOhio posts about Moundbuilders

Octagon (State Memorial)

• N 33rd St., Newark, OH 43055
• GPS coordinates: N40.052092,W82.448359
• Site of the Octagon Earthworks and the Mound Builders Country Club
• TrekOhio posts about Octagon

Ohio Canal Greenway (County)

• 101 Canal Road, Hebron, Ohio
• Total trail length: 3.8 miles
• Bridle trails
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Good site for bird watching
• Multi-use trail. Covered bridge

Riverview Reserve (County)

• 375 Ohio Street, Newark, Ohio
• Park size: 110 acres
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)

Taft Reserve (County)

• 10250 Flint Ridge Road, Newark, Ohio
• Trail map
• Park size: 425 acres
• Total trail length: 8 miles
• Bridle trails
• Restrooms
• Hunting privileges with membership

TJ Evans Panhandle Trail (Bike Path)

• Transits: Newark
• Total trail length: 10 miles
• Dog friendly
• Paved multi-use trail

TJ Evans Trail (Bike Path)

• Transits: Johnstown – Newark
• Total trail length: 14 miles
• Dog friendly
• Paved multi-use trail

Last Update: 04/02/2013 19:17:25

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