Hunting, Fishing, and Adventures in the Wild
Vinton County. It's nature at its finest. It's
hiking miles of remote, forested trails and
discovering new challenges around every corner of
the toughest mountain bike trail you've ever seen. .
.or felt. It's catching your first glimpse of a
black bear or seeing a buck from the window of your
car and so close you'll swear you could have reached
out and touched it.
This is Vinton County, remote and wild. We'll be the
first to tell you if you haven't been here, you're
missing lots of great outdoors. Whether you're
stopping in off the beaten path or looking for a new
one to walk, we have a whole world of parks and
forests, lakes, and wildlife areas for you to
discover.
So whether it's exploring nature through hiking
trails, mountain biking, hunting, riding an
all-terrain vehicle, or countless other adventures in
the outdoors that you're looking for, Vinton County
is simply the first place you'll want to stop.
Ohio State Parks and Public Recreation Areas in Vinton County, Ohio
Lake Alma State Park
Lake Alma Road, Wellston 740-384-4474 (seasonal)
www.dnr.state.oh.us
Lake Alma State Park was originally constructed as a
private amusement park in 1903 complete with dance
pavilion, outdoor theater, and merry-go-round.
Although little remains of the former recreational
area, Lake Alma State Park now offers visitors
camping, boating, fishing, a playground, and beach
area. There are also hiking trails and a paved bike
path.
Lake Hope State Park
State Route 278, McArthur 740-596-5253
www.dnr.state.oh.us
Once a small iron furnace community, Lake Hope State
Park and the surrounding Zaleski State Forest are
dotted with remnants of the past. An old cemetery,
an iron furnace, and hints of a ghost town still
linger along the trails thick with trees and
wildlife. There are hiking trails, backpacking
trails, and a singletrack bike trail that was chosen
as one of Ohio’s top mountain biking trail by
readers of “Mountain Bike Magazine.” There is also a
nature center, cabins, and camping.
Richland Furnace State Forest
740-774-1596
www.dnr.state.oh.us
Flint outcrops, the remnants of the 19th century
ghost town of Richland, and an All-Purpose Vehicle (APV)
area bring visitors to this Ohio State Forest.
Tar Hollow State Forest
740-663-2538
www.dnr.state.oh.us
A wealth of recreational activities are available at
Tar Hollow State Forest, including a primitive horse
camp and 26 miles of bridle trails, hiking trails,
and paved and gravel forest roads that provide a
great opportunity for a scenic drive.
Zaleski State Forest
740-596-5781
www.dnr.state.oh.us
Zaleski State Forest is Ohio’s second largest forest
covering 28,000 acres. There are two backpack
trails, bridle trails, and a horse camp with 16
sites. The renovated 1930’s Hope School House now
serves as an interpretive center to teach local
history.
Wayne National Forest
740-753-0101
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne/
With over 300 miles of hiking, biking, off-road
vehicle, and horseback riding trails, Wayne National
Forest spans several Ohio counties, including Vinton
County. From canoeing to hunting, horseback riding
to mountain biking, Wayne National Forest offers a
wide range of recreational opportunities for its
visitors.
Raccoon Ecological Management Area
State Route 160, 740-596-4238
www.dnr.state.oh.us
Remote hiking trails, hunting areas and the remnants
of the Vinton Iron Furnace make this wildlife area a
unique place to visit. Nearly hidden in the
undergrowth of the woodland, Belgium Coke Ovens,
once used to make coke from coal, are quite possibly
the only remaining in the world.
Wellston Wildlife Area/Lake Rupert
State Route 683, 740-594-2211
www.dnr.state.oh.us
This area features an assortment of recreational
activities including fishing, boating, and bird
watching. The 325-acre lake is stocked with Northern
Pike, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, and
channel catfish.
|
