Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Way down on the great Ohio River, near its joining with the Scioto River, is Ohio’s greatest protected forest. It’s a forest within a bigger forest. Shawnee State Park, with its many amenities which invite visitors to the region, is 1,168 acres within the sprawling Shawnee State Forest.
So don’t think of Shawnee State Park as merely a respectably sized state park – think of it as a dramatically hilly huge wilderness island of 63,000 acres. It is the largest contiguous forest in the state, a forest that when viewed from any one of the breathtaking overlooks seems to stretch to the horizon. The millions of trees generate so much moisture that a haze often hangs over the hills. That haze has branded Shawnee with the nickname, “Little Smokies of Ohio.”
Think of the state park as the launch pad into a wonderful outdoor experience. Equipped with modern comforts – or more primitive, if you prefer – and access to programming and services, you can venture out in any direction and experience the wild and natural.
No visit is complete without exploring the state forest. At the very least, you should plan to take a drive on the Panoram Scenic Loop, a 23-mile drive through the forest and over ridges and hilltops offering a number of scenic views and pull-offs. If time is an issue, you can turn off the loop and return to the state park, or you can add to the drive using a longer self-guided driving tour. In all, there are a staggering 170 miles of forest roads to explore but be wary, some are narrow and not well suited for two-wheel drive vehicles.
Walkers and hikers also have wonderful choices. Three one-mile walking trails are available in the park. The easiest walking is the Turkey Creek Nature Trail, a nice loop trail that begins from the Turkey Creek Lake boat launch area. The Lampblack Trail is a moderate trail that begins from the Shawnee Lodge parking area, and the Look-Out Trail, as the name implies, is a rugged uphill walk to a genuinely nice overlook.
Backpackers have a trail that affords what is likely the best opportunity for a wilderness experience in Ohio. The 43-mile loop can be extended by incorporating a 10.5-mile side trail that extends into the Shawnee Wilderness Area. With the extension it’s possible to spend nine days on the trail without spending more than one night in any of the eight backpack camps. Be forewarned that the trail is rugged and challenging, requiring moderate levels of skill and endurance.
At the other end of the camping spectrum are the deluxe campground sites, over 100 of them with access to comfort facilities that include shower houses, laundromats, and flush toilets. Eighty-seven sites have electricity, 21 do not. Above those sites, up on the ridge, is another level of comfort. The Shawnee Lodge is an amazing facility. Nearby there are 24 family cabins, nicely appointed and capable of welcoming up to six people. Two six-person camper cabins are also available.
But it’s the 50-room Shawnee Lodge that stands above the rest. Opened in 1973, the lodge has an extraordinary rustic flavor perfectly accented with a Native American motif.
Paying homage to the Shawnee is noteworthy. The lands that now make up the state park and forest were part of the Shawnee hunting grounds. Not far away, at the juncture of the Scioto and the Ohio River – Spaylaywitheppi to the Shawnee – was lower town, a major Shawnee village. Across the Ohio River is Kentucky, the sacred hunting grounds of the Shawnee.
The atmosphere in the lodge begins the moment you drive up. The dark-stained heavy timber exterior looks like the perfect place to begin your escape. The lobby amplifies that feeling with the cozy area across from the check-in desk. Anchored by a huge stone timber-mantled woodburning – yes, woodburning, not gas – fireplace, the area is so inviting you may miss exploring the rest of the huge entry and discovering a larger gas-fired fireplace and seating area just across from the entry to the dining room. The big fireplaces, massive timber framing, and vaulted ceiling are completed with a wall-mounted full-size birchbark canoe and a collection of arrow and feathered spear points.
It’s a perfect welcome to an excellent opportunity for a communal experience with nature.
And so much more. For example, the city of Portsmouth, just upriver, offers an excellent variety of dining options.
But it’s the essence of wildness that is the biggest draw. Visiting a land that is still rich in scenery and wildlife. A land where bobcat and black bear still roam.
For more information visit ohiodnr.gov, shawneeparklodge.com, and explorescioto.com.
