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 photos and descriptions of Earl H. Barnhart Buzzards’ Roost Nature Preserve

Great Seal (State Park)

• 4908 Marietta Road, Chillicothe, OH 45601
• GPS coordinates: N39.402797,W82.941385
• Trail map
• 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
• Campground Map
• Park Map for Great Seal
• Location on Google Maps
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Great Seal

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (National Historical Park)

• GPS coordinates: N39.374061, W83.007261
• 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 photos and descriptions of 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.
• Good site for bird watching
• Wildlife Area Map for Kinnikinnick Wildlife Area

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.
• Good site for bird watching
• Camp sites
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Boating, swimming (1,000 ft beach)
• Campground Map
• Park Map for Paint Creek
• Disc Golf Course Map for Paint Creek

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.
• Restrooms (Latrine)
• Trimmer Arch, one of Ohio’s natural, stone arches, is located in this wildlife area.
• Fishing Map for Paint Creek Lake Wildlife Area
• Enhanced Fishing Map for Paint Creek Lake Wildlife Area
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Paint Creek Lake Wildlife Area

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.
• Wildlife Area Map for Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area

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.
• Fishing Map for Ross Lake
• Enhanced Fishing Map for Ross Lake

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
• Bridle Trail Map
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Scioto Trail

Scioto Trail SP (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)
• Good site for bird watching
• Camp sites
• Mountain bike trails
• Cross country ski trails
• Restrooms
• Boating, swimming
• Bridle Trail Map
• Campground Map
• Park Map for Scioto Trail SP
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Scioto Trail SP

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 photos and descriptions of Seip Mound

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
• Bridle Trail Map
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Tar Hollow

Tar Hollow SP (State Park)

• 16396 Tar Hollow Road, Laurelville, Ohio 43135
• Trail map
• 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)
• Campground Map
• Park Map for Tar Hollow SP
• TrekOhio photos and descriptions of Tar Hollow SP

Tri-County Triangle Trail (Bike Path)

• Trail map
• Total trail length: 32 miles
• Dog friendly
• Restrooms

Last Update: 2017-07-24 16:32:02