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Ohio
23

Ohio State Parks

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USA Parks
Ohio
Southeast Ohio Region
Shawnee State Forest
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SHAWNEE STATE FOREST
SHAWNEE STATE FOREST
13291 US-52
West Portsmouth, Ohio   45663
(lat:38.7043 lon:-83.0914) map location

Phone: (740) 858-6685
Once inhabited by the Shawnee Indians, Shawnee State Forest came into existence in 1922 with the purchase of 5,000 acres of land which had been cut over for timber and ravaged by fire. During that same year, land acquisition was begun for the Theodore Roosevelt Game Preserve. In the 1930s, six Civilian Conservation Corps camps were located in the forest. During this period, many of the roads were constructed in the then nearly inaccesible area. Many other accomplishments resulted, including five small lakes that were built to serve as water supplies for the camps. Following the creation of the Department of Natural Resources in 1949, the recreational facilities at Roosevelt Lake were transferred to the Division of Parks. The Roosevelt Game Preserve, by a 1951 agreement between the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, became a part of the forest. Shawnee State Forest, also called "The Little Smokies of Ohio," has developed into the largest of the 20 state forests, with over 60,000 acres. While the Forest is a fantastic recreation feature in Southern Ohio, you should not be surprised to see other activities occurring. The Forest is a working forest. It is managed to provide a variety of multiple uses on a sustained yield basis. Timber harvesting, tree planting, wildlife habitat, forestry research, watershed and soil protection, and production of tree seeds are all in a day's work for Forest Employees and many local residents. During the spring and fall forest fire danger periods, state forest crews detect and suppress wildfires that occur on state and private lands within the surrounding protection area. Nearly 8,000 acres of the forest have been designated as wilderness. This minimzes human influence and allows the land to return to a natural condition. Timber management activities and public motorized travel have been eliminated in the area. In the mid-1800s and early 1900s, building stone was quarried from Vastine and Cabbage Patch hollows. The stone was moved by railroad to the Ohio River and loaded on barges. Much of the stone was used in the construction of buildings in Cincinnati.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
GeneralLand, acres62,583
 Nearby Wildlife Area, acres8,000
Day-UseHuntingyes
 Backpack Trail, miles60
 Bridle Trails, miles75
CampingHorsemen Campsitesyes
 Walk-In Campsites, #8
Nearby Vacation Rentals
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Location
Shawnee State Forest is located near Greenup, Lucasville and Portsmouth


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Area Campgrounds
Sandy Springs Campground
27719 U.S. 52
, OH
701-640-7858
Area Fishing Related Businesses
Ol Dad's Outdoor Store
206 Market St
Portsmouth, OH
(740) 353-2051
S S Sporting Goods
4717 James E Hannah
South Shore, KY
(606) 932-3996
Area Cabins and Lodges
Xanterra Parks & Resorts
11383 Us Highway 52
Stout, OH
(740) 858-6681
Shawnee State Park Resorts
Star Rte
West Portsmouth, OH
(740) 858-6621
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
businesss listing main photo
Cottages and Cabins
Trickle Creek offers luxury cabins in Hocking Hills. The cabins are situated on nearly 236 acres of secluded cabin rentals in the deep wooded ravines in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Hocking County, Ohio.
67.8 miles from park*
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Hidden Cave Cabin - Rockbridge, OH
Cottages and Cabins
Hidden Cave Cabin is an authentic log cabin with 2 bedrooms in a private wooded setting. It is located on one of the most scenic drives in Hocking Hills and just 3.6 miles to Rock House and less than 10 miles to Conkle's Hollow and Old Man's Cave.
62.5 miles from park*

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Ohio
23

Ohio State Parks

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