Outdoor Parks and Recreation

Located in Ohio's Bluegrass region, one of the state's most scenic and biologically interesting areas, Adams Lake State Park has much to offer the nature enthusiast. Remnant prairies and a quiet lake can be enjoyed in this small unique park. Only non-powered craft and those with electric motors only are permitted on the lake. A small launch ramp near the park entrance provides access to the 47-acre lake. Only non-powered craft and those with electric motors only are permitted on the lake. A small launch ramp near the park entrance provides access to the 47-acre lake. An accessible 3/4-mile walking path follows the southern shore of the lake. Additional trails at Adams Lake are found on the adjacent prairie maintained by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Due to the botanical uniqueness of this area, visitors are not permitted to wander from the established trails. Questions about the prairie or its rules should be directed to the preserve manager at (513) 544-9750. Picnic tables and restrooms are located throughout the park. A picnic shelter is available by reservation, call (740) 858-4561. Playground facilities are also available.

LOCATION: 14633 STATE ROUTE 41
West Union, OH 45693

CONTACT: Shawnee State Park
4404 State Route 125
Portsmouth, OH 45663-9003
(740) 858-6652 Shawnee State Park

Brush Creek State Forest

Visit Site | Brochure & Park Map (pdf) 15.22MB

Located in the unglaciated hill country of south central Ohio, Brush Creek State Forest was established in 1928 with the acquisition of 285 acres of land. This and other early land acquisitions were originally part of Shawnee State Forest. As acreage and distances grew, the need to form a separate state forest unit became apparent in order to properly manage these scattered land holdings.
In the early 1950s, a new state forest was formed and drew its name from a major stream in the area known as Scioto Brush Creek. A forest headquarters and service center was established along State Route 73 about one mile west of the village of Rarden in western Scioto County, and presently remains at that site.

District 6 Forestry Office
Brush Creek State Forest
Shawnee State Forest
13291 U.S. Highway 52
West Portsmouth, OH 45663-8906
1-877-24STREE

Buckeye Trail
Follow the Blue Blazes - For nearly 1444 miles, the Buckeye Trail winds around Ohio, reaching into every corner of the state. From a beachhead on Lake Erie near Cleveland, to an hilltop overlooking the Ohio River in Cincinnati, a hiker can experience a little of all that Ohio has to offer. Several sections of the Buckeye Trail winds though Adams County, please be sure to hike them all. Photo from their website.

1-800-OHIO200
www.buckeyetrail.org

Section Trail maps

West Union

Shawnee

Sinking Springs

Chaparral Prairie
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A blackjack-post oak prairie opening with outstanding summer prairie wildflowers and butterflies. This is an outstanding cedar barren prairie with post and blackjack oak. It supports one of the most extensive populations of rattlesnake-master in the state. Prairie dock and spiked blazing-star are also unusually abundant at this site. Eleven state-listed species have been recorded from the preserve including spider milkweed, prairie false indigo, pink milkwort and Carolina buckthorn. Little bluestem is the dominant prairie grass. Several rare lepidoptera, such as Edward's hairstreak butterfly, have been reported from this preserve.

Hawk Hill Road (Township Road 23)
West Union, OH 45693

Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve
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This 88-acre nature preserve, set in an area of exceptional scenic beauty, is of interest primarily to geologists and botanists. The preserve contains an impressive geologic fault, dolomite cliffs, a cave, and a diverse flora. There are two richly forested hiking trails. Diverse site with rare species and excellent spring wildflowers. Davis Memorial Preserve is an outstanding geological as well as botanical natural area. There is a cave, Cedar Fork Cave, and occasional sinkholes in the preserve as well as excellent Silurian dolomite cliffs. Both Greenfield dolomite and Peebles dolomite are exposed. Ohio black shale occurs on the tops of the knobs. An impressive fault, causing vertical displacement of 30 feet, exposes adjacent cliffs of Greenfield and Peebles dolomite. A classic sinkhole occurs along the Buckeye Trail at the south end of the preserve. The dolomite cliffs provide habitat for white cedars and sullivantia. American aloe, dwarf hawthorn, hairy wing-stem, side-oats gramma grass and purple coneflower are found in the prairie openings. Other significant species present include tall larkspur, limestone Adder's-tongue fern, narrow-leaved bluecurls and Walter's violet. Photo from their website.

Davis Memorial Rd
Peebles, OH 45660

The Edge of Appalachia Preserve System
Visit Site 1 | Visit Site 2 | PDF Trail Map | PDF Brochure |

Amid rocky slopes, rolling meadows and deep moist ravines, relict plant communities have persisted for thousands of years. The Ohio chapter of The Nature Conservancy and the Museum of Natural History & Science at Cincinnati Museum Center own and manage a series of 10 nearly contiguous preserves, collectively called The Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve System, the largest privately owned protected natural area in Ohio. The Edge of Appalachia provides critical habitat for some 100 rare species of plants and animals. Four areas in the preserve, Lynx Prairie, Buzzardroost Rock, Red Rock and the Wilderness, are registered National Natural Landmarks, testimony to their national significance. The eminent ecologist E. Lucy Braun first called attention to the biodiversity of "The Edge" in the 1920s. Her students, Richard and Lucile Durrell, were early leaders in the effort to preserve this outstanding natural area.

Leran about the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System's new Eulett Center. Download a PDF on the Eulett Center

937-544-2880
Waggoner Riffle Rd
West Union, OH 45693

Johnson Ridge
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208 acres of wilderness with summer prairie wildflowers. The preserve sets alongside an Amish community.

Unity Rd
West Union, OH 45693

Kinfolk Landing - Ohio River
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Manchester's boating ramp to the Ohio River. The Ohio River is 981 miles long, starting at the confluence of the Allegheny & the Monongahela Rivers in Pittsburgh, PA, and ending in Cairo, IL, where it flows into the Mississippi River. The Ohio river offers approximately 164 species of fish to the avid angler. During the Summer and Fall months large Paddlewheelers travel the river.

Follow the signs from Rt 52
Manchester, OH 45144

Ohio River Island National Wildlife Refuge

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From their web site...
The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge conserves the "wild Ohio" within one of our nation's busiest inland waterways. Established in 1990, the refuge extends along 362 miles of the upper Ohio River with 22 scattered islands and three mainland properties. The refuge works to protect wildlife and habitats native to the Ohio River and its floodplain. Migratory birds and endangered freshwater mussels are among the important wildlife emphasized on the refuge. The two Manchester Islands are apart of this refuge They are numbers 22 & 23 on their map.

The Manchester Island are located across from Island Creek Marina and Campground
8801 US 52
Manchester, OH 45144

For more information on ORINWR contact:
Ohio River Island NWR
3982 Waverly Rd
Williamstown, WV 26187
304-375-2923

Robert A. Whipple State Nature Preserve
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270 acres filled with Dolomite cliffs, slump blocks and sinkholes; good spring wildflowers. Pull off parking and a sign are present.
NEW - 2 miles of moderate Hiking Trails!

The east side of St Rt 247, approximately 1 mile north of Rt 52
Manchester, OH 45144

Shawnee State Forest
Forest Site | Park Site | Conference Center
From their website - Located in the Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio River, Shawnee State Park is nestled in the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest.

Once the hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians, the region is one of the most picturesque in the state, featuring erosion-carved valleys and wooded hills. The rugged beauty of the area has earned it the nickname "The Little Smokies." Setting along the boarder of Adams & Scioto Counties.

Park Office
4404 State Route 125
Portsmouth, Ohio 45663-9003
Forestry 740-858-6685
Park Office 740-858-6652
Golf Course 740-858-6681
Campground (seasonal) 740-858-4561
Campground Reservations 866-644-6727
Resort Lodge 740-858-6621
Lodge Front Desk Fax 740-858-4766
Lodge and cottage Reservations 800-828-7275

Shoemaker State Nature Preserve
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Adams County's newest preserve featuring natural arches, dolomite cliffs and slump blocks. This preserve protects a tributary of the Scioto Brush Creek and includes a 1.5mile hiking trail.

165 Pine Gap Rd
Peebles, OH 45660

Tranquility Wildlife Area
Visit Site | Map (pdf 388KB)

"Tranquility Wildlife Area is located 16 miles south of Hillsboro on State Route 770. County Road 100 (Old State Route 32) runs along the southern boundary of the area." Learn More...

St Rt 770 & Old St Rt 32

Seaman & Peebles, OH 45660