Ross 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).

Adena Recreational Trail (Bike Path)

• Total trail length: 23 miles (30 miles when complete)

Betsch Fen (State Nature Preserve)

• Park size: 90 acres
• Permit required
• Contact the Nature Conservancy for information

Earl H. Barnhart Buzzards’ Roost Nature Preserve (County)

• 514 Red Bird Lane Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
• GPS coordinates: N39.325733,W83.070956
• Trail map
• Park size: Approximately 1300 acres.
• TrekOhio posts about Earl H. Barnhart Buzzards’ Roost Nature Preserve

Great Seal (State Park)

• 4908 Marietta Road Chillicothe, OH 45601
• Park size: 1,862 acres
• Total trail length: 23 miles – multi-use
• Dog friendly
• Bridle trails
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Camp sites
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Disc golf

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (National Historical Park)

• GPS coordinates: 39 22’26.62″N 83 00’26.14″W
• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• At least some parts are handicap accessible
• Restrooms
• Site of Hopewell Indian mound city and museum with artifacts
• TrekOhio posts about Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Kinnikinnick Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Park size: 143 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

Paint Creek (State Park)

• 280 Taylor Road Bainbridge, Ohio 45612
• Trail map
• Park size: 5,652 acres
• Total trail length: 4 Hiking trails, 18.2 miles bridle trails, 12 miles hiking / mountain biking trails
• Dog friendly (Not on beach)
• Bridle trails
• 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.
• Particularly good site for bird watching
• Camp sites
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Boating, swimming (1,000 ft beach)

Paint Creek Lake Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Park size: 11,024 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.

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Park size: 1,465 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.

Ross Lake (State Wildlife Area)

• Location: East of Chillicothe, access via US Route 35 via East Main St exit and Blacksmith Hill Rd.
• Park size: 1,112 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.

Scioto Trail (State Forest)

• 2731 Stoney Creek Road, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
• Location: See above link for driving directions and maps.
• Trail map
• Park size: 9,600 acres
• Total trail length: 25 miles hiking + 21 miles bridle trail
• Bridle trails
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Mountain bike trails
• Adjacent to Scioto Trail State Park

Scioto Trail (State Park)

• 144 Lake Road Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
• Trail map
• Park size: 219 acres
• Total trail length: 5.5 miles
• 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
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Boating, swimming
• TrekOhio posts about Scioto Trail

Seip Mound (Ohio Historical Society)

• Location: 14 miles southwest of Chillicothe and two miles east of Bainbridge, on U.S. Route 50 in Ross County.
• TrekOhio posts about Seip Mound

Tar Hollow (State Park)

• 16396 Tar Hollow Road Laurelville, Ohio 43135
• Park size: 604 acres
• Total trail length: 21 mile Logan Trail (red blazes) + Buckeye Trail (blue blazes)
• Dog friendly
• Fishing (check the official site to see if there are any restrictions)
• Camp sites
• Mountain bike trails
• Restrooms
• Boating (electric motors only), swimming (500 ft beach)

Tar Hollow (State Forest)

• Location: Adjacent to Tar Hollow State Park
• Trail map
• Park size: 16,354 acres
• Total trail length: 22 miles
• Dog friendly
• Bridle trails
• Hunting when in season with license. Please visit park web site for details.
• Camp sites
• Restrooms (Latrines)
• Horse camps, morel mushroom hunting

Tri-County Triangle Trail (Bike Path)

• Trail map
• Total trail length: 32 miles

Last Update: 12/22/2012 14:21:56

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