Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Shawnee State Forest adventure.
Discover Shawnee State Forest's lush landscapes and outdoor adventures.
Lovingly nicknamed "The Little Smokies of Ohio," Shawnee State Forest boasts 60,000 acres of beautiful land where you can live out all your outdoors-y fantasies in the flesh. Arrive in fall time for a paintbrush smattering of leaf colors throughout the park, or bring your best buds in summer for a shady getaway. Explore 60 miles of trails by foot or by horseback, where the variety of wildlife and plants merit forestry research from academics and amateur iPhone photographs from the rest of us. With 60 miles of backpacking trails, we bet you could even trek some of it in your birthday suit without having to run into a singled clothed soul. This is freedom at its finest, friends.
The ideal time to visit Shawnee State Forest is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the forest is alive with color. Summer offers lush greenery but can be quite warm, while winter brings a quiet, frosty beauty, though some amenities may be limited. Avoid holiday weekends if you prefer a more peaceful experience, as these tend to be the busiest times.