North Country Trail
Where: South Dakota to New York
The North Country National Scenic Trail is a premier footpath that stretches for about 4,600 miles linking communities, forests, and prairies across seven northern states, including Ohio.

Zaleski State Forest
Where: Vinton County
The Zaleski State Forest offers a unique blend of stunning beauty and history. The forest is characterized by deep ravines and ridge tops. Beautiful sandstone outcroppings and overhangs can be found throughout. The forest also provides habitat for a variety of wildlife

Cave Lake
Where: Latham, Pike County
Cave Lake has a lot to offer visitors. The focal points of this attraction are Frost Cave and a 42-acre lake. The 700-acre wooded property is home to more than 150 species of birds, 160 species of trees and shrubs, and 360 species of plants.

Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve
Where: Jackson County
Lake Katharine is a magnificent natural area consisting of nearly 2,000 acres of forest and several miles of hiking trails. The Preserve is home to a variety of diverse spring wildflower, rare bigleaf and umbrella magnolias, and stunning sandstone cliffs.

Wayne National Forest
Where: Throughout Athens, Jackson, Morgan, and Vinton Counties
Wayne National Forest offers 300 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, and horseback riding. The forest also offers camping, fishing, and hunting. Several premier trails are located right here in Athens, Jackson, Morgan and Vinton Counties.

Burr Oak State Park
Where: Southwestern Morgan County and Northern Athens County
Quiet and remote Burr Oak State Park and the surrounding area has rustic country charm unlike any other with its rolling wooded hills and valley farms. Ten miles of day hiking trails and 18 miles of backpacking trails - including a portion of the Buckeye Trail - enable visitors to explore the many wonders of this state park up close.

Pike Lake State Park
Where: Western Pike County. Near Bainbridge.
Pike Lake State Park consists of 587 acres of mostly woodland and a 13-acre lake. The park is surrounded by the 12,000-acre Pike State Forest and offers 80 campsites and 24 cozy cabins, making Pike Lake a great weekend getaway.

Pike State Forest
Where: Western Pike County. Near Bainbridge.
The 12,000-acre Pike State Forest offers a wide range of recreation opportunities. One of the most popular attractions is the APV area. Here, 10 miles of trail which wind through the hollows and ridge tops is open to motorcycles and off road all-terrain vehicles.

Strouds Run State Park
Where: Central Athens County. Just east of the City of Athens.
Strouds Runs consist of 2,606 acres of land and 161 acres of water. In the spring and fall the park is full of color. Flowering dogwood, redbud, and spring wildflowers can be found through the park in the spring while the fall foliage paints the park in autumn.

Lake Hope State Park
Where: Eastern Vinton County. Near New Plymouth.
Lake Hope State Park is a beautiful, rugged, and heavily-wooded 3,000-acre state park completely surrounded by the majestic Zaleski State Forest. The setting is ideal for photographers, nature lovers, and historians alike. Seventeen miles of hiking trails traverse the lake and scenic woodlands of the Lake Hope area and connect with several trails in the adjacent Zaleski State Forest. Whlie a 23-mile single track bike trail also meanders through the park.

Forked Run State Park
Where: Eastern Meigs County. Near Long Bottom.
The Ohio River and a picturesque lake characterize Fork Run State Park. The park is a great place to spend a summer afternoon or weekend. With its 400-foot sand beach, it’s a perfect spot to escape the summer heat or soak in some rays.

Shade River State Forest
Where: Eastern Meigs County. Near Reedsville.
Shade River State Forest is home to a number of native hardwoods growing on what was formerly abandoned, unproductive farmland. The forest is open year-round to hunting, hiking, and general sightseeing. Camping, swimming, and fishing are available in nearby Forked Run State Park.

Lake Alma State Park
Where: Vinton & Jackson Counties border. Just north of Wellston.
Lake Alma State Park lies in the midst of some of Ohio’s most rugged and scenic territory. The park features a quiet lake and meandering creek through the wooded valley. Several trails traverse the hilltops and valley offering hikers several scenic views.

Desonier State Nature Preserve
Where: South Eastern Athens County. Near Stewart.
Desonier State Nature Preserve encompasses 491 acres of diverse Appalachian Ohio habitat. The mature forest is home to an array of wildflowers, butterflies, and songbirds. Some of the more interesting plants growing here are weak aster, green adder's-mouth orchid, and Virginia meadow-beauty.

Lake White State Park
Where: Just southwest of Waverly in Pike County.
Lake White offers visitors a picturesque setting for picnicking, camping, boating, fishing, and swimming. The 337-acre lake is one of the few state-owned waterways with unlimited horsepower boating. Anglers will find the park to be a great place to catch bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, saugeye, and catfish.

Jackson Lake State Park
Where: Just west of Oak Hill in southern Jackson County.
The Lake is the focal point of this serene state park. The Jackson Lake State Park's varying habitats support beautiful displays of wildflowers through spring and autumn including trillium, spring beauties, dame's violets, goldenrods, and asters.

Richland Furnace State Forest
Where: Northern Jackson County. Near Byer.
Located in the wooded hills of northern Jackson County, the 2,500-acre Richland State Forest is a reflection of a by-gone era with evidence of both Native Americans and the Industrial Revolution throughout the park. The forest is open to hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, and hunting.

Tar Hollow State Forest
Where: Northwestern Vinton, Ross, & Hocking Counties
Characterized by deep narrow valleys and dense woodlands, Tar Hollow State Forest is a 16,354-acre park that spans Vinton, Ross, and Hocking Counties. Shortleaf and pitch pines grow along the ridge tops that were once a source of pine tar for early settlers, hence the name Tar Hollow. Offering several outdoor adventures, this park is a popular destination.

Waterloo Wildlife Area
Where: Western Athens County
Waterloo Wildlife Area is a rugged and heavily forested park and is home to the Waterloo Wildlife Research Station. Hiking, birding, fishing, and hunting are some of the most popular activities. Visitor's will see some unusual features including rock outcrops.

Gifford State Forest
Where: Northwestern Athens County. Near Sharpsburg.
Gifford State Forest was donated to the state in 1959 by William Gifford Selby under conditions that it be used for experimentation and research. Today, the park is a great place to hike and enjoy nature with its four miles of hiking trail and scenic landscape.

Fox Lake Wildlife Area
Where: Southwest of the City of Athens
The 421-acre Fox Lake is just a short drive from the City of Athens. With its wooded rolling hills, open fields, and 48-acre lake, this wildlife area is a great place to hike, fish, and hunt.

Wellston Wildlife Area
Where: Just north of Hamden in Vinton County.
Wellston Wildlife Area is a great place for sportsmen. Fishing, hunting, and birding are popular activities. The wildlife area is home to Lake Rupert - a 2 mile long and 28 foot deep lake stocked with Northern pike, walleyes, largemouth bass, bullheads, bluegills, and channel catfish. Rabbits and squirrels are the most sought-after game species, but hunting is also popular for waterfowl, deer, and grouse.

Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area
Where: 12 miles south of Jackson in Jackson County.
Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area is a 5,421-acre park located just south of Jackson. Characterized by rolling hills, meandering creeks, and tranquil ponds, the park is a great place for hiking, fishing, and hunting.

Trimble Wildlife Area
Where: 2 miles west of Glouster in Northern Athens County.
Trimble Wildlife Area is a heavily wooded and rugged 2,000 acre park. Hiking and hunting are the most common activities. The New Straitsville Section of the Buckeye Trail runs thought the park.

The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway
Where: Athens to Nelsonville, Athens County
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a 19-mile paved trail winding along the Hocking River. Stretching from Athens to Nelsonville, the trail is named in honor of the region’s first inhabitants who lived in the Hocking Valley over 2,000 years ago. While strolling along the Hocking River, visitors cathch a glimpse of both the nature and history of the region.

The Ohio River
Where: Meigs County
The Ohio River is known for being a great water recreation area. Boaters can travel on the Ohio River through Meigs County for 34 unrestricted miles.

Lake White
Where: Just southwest of Waverly in Pike County.
Lake White offers visitors a picturesque setting for picnicking, camping, boating, fishing, and swimming. The 337-acre lake is one of the few state-owned waterways with unlimited horsepower boating. Anglers will find the park to be a great place to catch bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, saugeye, and catfish.

Wayne National Forest
Where: Across Athens, Jackson, Morgan, & Vintion Counties
Wayne National Forest offers 300 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, and horseback riding. The forest also offers camping, fishing, and hunting. Several premier trails are located right here in Athens, Jackson, Morgan and Vinton Counties.