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.

The hills in the forest represent some of Ohio’s highest. Terrain relief commonly reaches 400 feet and exceeds 600 feet in some areas, especially in the southwest quadrant. Average ridge top elevations peak between 1100 to 1200 feet above sea level with a few high points breaking the 1300-foot contour. The normal pool elevation of the Ohio River represents the lowest elevation in the region and averages about 500 feet above sea level.

The Buckeye Trail aside, if you were to rank Ohio’s trails in categories based on qualities ranging from difficulty to biological diversity, and everything in-between, then the Shawnee State Forest Backpack Trail would probably come out on top in most categories. The 40 miles of the main backpack trail, along with the nearly 10-mile wilderness side trail, plus an additional 7.2-mile day hike trail, travel through Ohio’s most remote, most contiguous and certainly its most precious forest resource. A multi-night trip on the trail will take you away from the civilized world and into a forest world where only the most hardy hikers trek.

The orange-blazed main trail is laid out in a large loop, with State Route 125 nearly bisecting it in the middle. A 5.3-mile cutoff trail paralleling SR 125 from Camp 3 back to the trailhead divides the main loop into a 23-mile north loop and 27.5-mile south loop. Most backpackers refer to the backpack trail in terms of its two loops, and usually base trips on one or the other. The 9.8-mile wilderness side trail takes hikers into the remote 8000-acre Shawnee Wilderness Area. For backpackers, visiting the wilderness area is a multi-night trip, allowing one day to get to a base camp, usually Camp 6, and then day hiking the wilderness area trail the next. Day hikers can access the wilderness area side trail via County Road 96 along Upper Twin Creek. Overnight parking along roads in and near the forest is at your own risk.

All side trails, including the wilderness side trail, the cutoff trail from Camp 3 back to the trailhead and side trails to camping areas are blazed with white. The 7.2-mile designated day hike trail is blazed blue. The North Country Trail shares the path with the backpack trail along the north side of main loop for several miles, you’ll find the trail in better condition along here. Along the backpack trail’s entire length, expect to find a lot of up and down hiking with few switchback and numerous steam crossings. For this reason, Shawnee may not be the smartest choice for beginning or unconditioned backpackers.

Seven camping areas are spaced approximately every five miles along the backpack trail’s main loop. Most backpackers plan trips with stays at every other camp, meaning a day’s mileage will be in the 10-mile range. Self-registration is required at the trailhead upon arrival. The provided registration forms ask for your planned schedule and dates you will be visiting each camping area. You should try to maintain your reported schedule in case a mishap causes you to miss your posted return.

You’ll find most camping areas to be located off the main trail. For instance, Camp 2 is nearly 0.5 mile from the main trail. Camp 3 sits about 200 vertical feet above the main trail, a tough climb at the end of a day’s hike. Camp 6 is the most remote and scenic camp in the forest, and a must-do for any Ohio backpacker. Its location in a hemlock grove at the confluence of two streams is memorable. Pit toilets are located in the vicinity of each camping area. Most of these have been rebuilt in recent years. Potable water is also provided in buried tanks at all camping areas except Camp 6; however, water can be treated from streams running through this camp.

You may have to go on a search to find both toilets and water hydrants once at camp because neither are typically located near the actual campsites. At Camps 2, 3 and 5, water is located at the beginning of each camp’s side trail. At Camp 1, water is located on the main trail before camp. Water for Camp 4 is located on the main trail just past camp. Finally, water for Camp 7 is located down-valley towards a road. All this is assuming a clockwise direction of travel. Due to bad road conditions, water may not always be provided in winter. It is advisable to check with forest headquarters before setting out in the off-season.

Shawnee State Forest is big, remote, rugged and not heavily used away from improvements in the state park. Being properly prepared and conditioned is key to reducing your odds of a mishap requiring medical or ranger assistance. The forest is home to copperheads and timber rattlesnakes, and once again black bears. Please take the time to learn how to lessen your chances of a negative encounter with these creatures.

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