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.

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

• Official Site
• Wildlife Area Map
• Parking near the end of Tick Ridge Rd.:
  • 85 Tick Rige Rd., Jackson, Ohio 45640
  • GPS coordinates: 39.054349, -82.487337
  • View on Google Maps
• 3,480 acres in all
• Unspecified mileage of logging roads allowing easy access on foot
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Good site for bird watching

Buckeye Furnace (Ohio Historical Society)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Posts at TrekOhio
• BuckeyeFurnace.com
• Location:
  • 123 Buckeye Park Rd. (T–167), Wellston, Ohio 45692
  • GPS coordinates: 39.0562152, -82.457823
  • View on Google Maps
• 270 acres in all
• Unspecified mileage of nature trails (a large loop and a smaller loop)
• Prohibited activities:
  • Camping not permitted
• Miscellaneous info: Restored 19th century blast furnace, museum, and two nature trails. Site also contains wooden covered bridge. Check hours of operation before visiting. | Hikers should be aware that copperheads live in this area. High-top, leather boots are recommended. You can bring dogs with you while hiking as long as they are kept under control.

Coalton Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Official Site
• Wildlife Area Map
• Location:
  • 626 Raysville Rd., Jackson, Ohio 45640
  • GPS coordinates: 39.1114028, -82.6539611
  • View on Google Maps
• 1,729 acre in all
• Supported activities:
  • Hunting
• Miscellaneous info: This wildlife area is almost entirely wooded. It can be accessed via county and township roads from U.S. 35 and State Route 93.

Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Official Site
• Wildlife Area Map
• Athens Area Outdoor Recreation Guide
• 5,421 acres in all
• Nearly 20 miles of hiking trails
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
• Facilities:
  • Archery range
• Miscellaneous info: Site includes the remains of the 19th century Madison iron furnace (located near the wildlife area’s HQ). | The historic Kanawha Trail crosses the wildlife area. This historic trail was used by bison, Native Americans, early settlers, etc.

Jackson Lake (State Park)

• Official Site
• Campground Map
• Park Map
• Location:
  • 35 Tommy Been Road, Oak Hill, Ohio 45656
• Area:
  • 106 acres park
  • 242 acres lake
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Sledding
  • Good site for bird watching
  • Bringing your dog
  • Boating with high horsepower motors
  • Ice skating
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Swimming beach

Lake Alma (State Park)

• Official Site
• Campground Map
• Park Map
• Location:
  • 422 Lake Alma Road, Wellston, Ohio 45692
  • GPS coordinates: 39.1486148, -82.517799
  • View on Google Maps
• Area:
  • 292 acres in all
  • 60 acres lake
• Trail information:
  • 2.25 miles of hiking trails
  • 1 miles of paved, multi-use trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Bringing your dog
  • Paddling
  • Low-horsepower boating (depending on the park, this may mean boats with electric motors, boats whose motors do not exceed a specific horsepower, or boats with any horsepower motor as long as no wake is generated; check the official site for details)
  • Ice skating
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Swimming beach
• Miscellaneous info: Dog swim area

Lake Katharine (State Nature Preserve)

• Official Site
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Location:
  • 1703 Lake Katharine Rd., Jackson, Ohio 45640
  • GPS coordinates: 39.085967, -82.669583
  • View on Google Maps
• 2,019 acres in all
• 6 miles of total trail
• Miscellaneous info: Permit required for use of watercraft on lake. | Nice display of spring wildflowers.

Leo Petroglyph (Ohio Historical Society)

• Official Site
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Location:
  • 357 Township Hwy 224, Ray, Ohio 45672 (estimated using Google Maps)
  • GPS coordinates: 39.1562496, -82.6827439
  • View on Google Maps
• 12 acres in all
• 0.5 miles of nature trail
• Miscellaneous info: Native American petroglyphs | hiking trail in adjacent gorge along sandstone cliffs that are 20–65 feet high | seasonal waterfalls

Liberty Wildlife Area (State Wildlife Area)

• Official Site
• Wildlife Area Map
• Location:
  • Township Hwy 226, Jackson, Ohio 45640
  • GPS coordinates: 39.107453, -82.781825
  • View on Google Maps
• 140 acres in all
• Supported activities:
  • Hunting
  • Good site for bird watching
• Miscellaneous info: Almost all of this wildlife area is wooded. | There is just one spot in the wildlife area where there is a roadside pulloff for parking.

Richland Furnace SF (State Forest)

• Official Site
• Brochure
• Richland Furnace State Forest- ATV Parking:
  • 839 Loop Rd., Wellston, Ohio 45692
  • GPS coordinates: 39.1690123, -82.6126661
  • View on Google Maps
• 2,524 acres in all
• 8 miles of APV trail
• Supported activities:
  • Hunting
  • Mountain biking
• Miscellaneous info: The remnant of old iron furnace resides on private property just beyond the state forest boundary.

Wayne NF – Ironton Unit (National Forest)

• Official Site
• Trail Map
• Posts at TrekOhio
• Other external links of interest:
  • Wayne NF – Camping Brochure
  • Wayne NF Trail Map
  • Hanging Rock ATV / Mountain Bike Trail
  • Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
  • Pine Creek ATV/OHM Trail (ATV/Mtn Bike/Hike)
  • Symmes Creek / Morgan Sister Trail
  • Timber Ridge Lake (Fishi/Hunt/Camp/Hike)
  • Wayne NF Ironton Unit – Hiking Brochure
• Morgan Sisters Trail Area:
  • 341 Fultz Rd,, Patriot, Ohio 45658 (estimated using Google Maps)
  • GPS coordinates: 38.817674, -82.487642
  • View on Google Maps
• Lake Vesuvius Picnic Area near Furnace:
  • CR-29 & CR-44 N, Pedro, Ohio 45659 (estimated using Google Maps)
  • GPS coordinates: 38.6057442, -82.6317587
  • View on Google Maps
• Area:
  • 99,049 acres in all
  • 143 acres for Lake Vesuvius
  • 100 acres for Timbre Ridge Lake
• Trail information:
  • 26 miles of ATV / hiking / mountain biking trail in Hanging Rock OHV System
  • 46 miles of bridle trail in the Lake Vesuvius Horse Trail System
  • 4.53 miles of loop trail for the Symmes Creek Trails
  • About 9.5 miles of trail for the Morgan Sisters Trails
  • 8 miles of hiking trail for the Vesuvius Lakeshore Trail
  • 17 miles of trail for the Vesuvius Backpack Trail
• Supported activities:
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Camping
  • Mountain biking
  • Rappelling
  • Horseback riding
  • Bringing your dog
• Facilities:
  • Restroom facilities
  • Archery range
• Miscellaneous info: The Pine Creek OHV System did offer 20 miles of ATV / mountain biking / hiking trails; however, it was discovered that a portion of this trail is on private property. Although, some of the trail near State Route 93 is still open, the trail that was on private property is closed and those who trespass there are subjecting themselves to a substantial fine.

Last Update: Jun 25, 2018