 Photo Courtesy Ben Prepelka
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Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 1100 | | | Water, acres | 68 | | | Nearby State Forest, acres | 63000 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | yes | | | Backpack Trail, miles | yes | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 2 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | yes | | | Bridle Trails, miles | yes | | | Beach Concession | yes | | | Nature Center | yes | | | Nature Programs | yes | | Boating | Boat Rental | yes | | | Boating Limits | -1 | | | Seasonal Dock Rental | 137 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 3 | | | Fuel For Sale | yes | | Camping | Primative, # | 3 | | | Electric Sites, # | 104 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Flush Toilets | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Showers | yes | | | Rent-A-Camp Sites, # | 3 | | | Group Camp, capacity | 50 | | | Rent-A-Teepee, # | 2 | | | Horsemen Campsites, # | 58 | | Winter | Ice Fishing | yes | | Accommodations | Lodge Rooms, # | 50 | | | Family Cottages, # | 25 | | | Game Room | yes | | | Indoor Swimming Pool | yes | | | Tennis | yes | | | Outdoor Swimming Pool | yes | | | Golf Course | yes | | | Restaurant | yes |
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 Photo Courtesy Ann E. Riggs
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Nearby Parks:
Shawnee State Forest
Shawnee State Park Marina
Brush Creek State Forest
Ohio State Park
Adams Lake State Reserve
Tranquility State Wildlife Area
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Located in the Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio River, Shawnee State Park is nestled in the 60,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. Once the hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians, the region is one of the most picturesque in the state, featuring erosion-carved valleys and wooded hills. The rugged beauty of the area has earned it the nickname "The Little Smokies." |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Several hundred million years ago, a general upheaval of eastern North America made changes in the terrain that are evident in Ohio today. South and east of Ohio, the layers of bedrock folded and buckled, giving rise to the Appalachian Mountains.
The forested hills of Shawnee are a part of the Appalachian Plateau. Here, the bedrock layers were uplifted but no real distortion occurred; for this reason, Shawnee never had true "mountains." In fact, all of Ohio's hill country is a feature of stream erosion on this prehistoric raised plain and is often referred to as the foothills of the Appalachians.
The hills of Shawnee have also been dubbed "Ohio's Little Smokies." Looking toward the Ohio River, one can certainly see how the region acquired such a nickname. From the highest points in the forest, ridge after ridge appears to roll away toward the horizon in a gentle blue haze. This distinctive color comes from moisture in the air which is generated by the thousands of acres of forest.
The hardwood forest is host to a variety of flora and fauna. Wildflowers are abundant including several rare types of orchids such as the tiny whorled pogonia and the showy orchis. Forest wildlife includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey, raccoon, various songbirds and rare sightings of bobcat and black bear. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
| Be the 1st to Review Shawnee State Park. You can rate it, post a comment on it, or do both. |
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| Camping: |
| The family campground at Shawnee has 107 sites suitable for tents or trailers. The campground features electric hookups, waste disposal, heated shower houses, flush toilets and laundry facilities. Pet camping is available on a limited number of sites. A 20-site horsemen's campground with latrines is available near Bear Lake on state forest land. |
| Camping Accessories: |
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| Trails: |
| The park and surrounding state forest invite hikers to discover the plant and animal life of Shawnee's forested hills. The Shawnee backpack trail operated by the Division of Forestry takes hikers to some of the best wilderness areas in Ohio. The forest also offers 75 miles of bridle trails. |
| Trail Accessories: |
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| Picnicking: |
| Picnic areas with tables and grills are located in many secluded and scenic areas of the park. Two picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Boating: |
| Roosevelt and Turkey Creek lakes offer boating with electric motors only. Launch ramps are provided for access to the lakes. Canoes are available for rental. Boaters may spend a day on the Ohio River with access from the park's marina facility. |
| Swimming: |
| Two public beaches with change booths are situated on Roosevelt and Turkey Creek lakes. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| The well stocked lakes provide good catches of largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and trout. A trout derby is held annually at Turkey Creek Lake. |
| Fishing and Hunting Accessories: |
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| History of the Area: |
| The 60,000 acres of Shawnee State Forest and Shawnee State Park encompass a part of the former hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians. Historians note that the Shawnee name means "those who have silver," as the tribe conducted considerable trade in this precious metal. A major Shawnee village, known as Lower Town, was located near the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto rivers. The Scioto River provided access to the heart of the Shawnee country in central and southern Ohio.
The Ohio River was the gateway to frontier settlement in the Ohio region as well as for Indiana and Illinois. This expansive waterway, the Spaylawitheepi in Indian tongue, was the site of many confrontations between incoming pioneers and the red man. The Shawnees monitored the influx of the white settlers from the line of ridges that overlooked the mighty Ohio River.
During the 1700s, the Shawnee Indians were gradually displaced as the settlers continued to build their cabins and clear land in this new and fertile country. The face of the region changed a great deal in the years to come, but through effective timber management practices by the state's Division of Forestry, Shawnee State Forest has regained much of its original appearance. Similarly, resource conservation programs coupled with wise land use practices at Shawnee State Park have assured that this 1,168-acre recreational facility will continue to maintain its natural beauty.
Lands were acquired for the park in 1922 and it was first operated as Theodore Roosevelt State Game Preserve. In the 1930s, six Civilian Conservation Corps camps were located in the area. It was at this time that many of the roads and lakes of the area were constructed. In 1949, with the creation of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Parks and Recreation, the area became a state park and forest. The name was changed to Portsmouth State Park in the early seventies but has since been changed back to Shawnee State Park. |
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| Area Accommodations |
|  | Murphin Ridge Inn - West Union, OH
Country Inn and Restaurant located in the Appalachian Foothills of Southwestern Ohio. Featuring 9 Cabins, each with a whirlpool tub, fireplace, queen or king-size bed, heating and air conditioning.
Price Range: $107 - $240
Web Site: http://www.murphinridgeinn.com |
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| | B&Bs / Inns | | Murphin Ridge Inn - Situated on 142 acres of rolling woodland and farmland with breath-taking vistas of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Murphin Ridge Inn is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway, family vacation or business retreat.
| | Cottages and Cabins | | Murphin Ridge Inn - Situated on 142 acres of rolling woodland and farmland with breath-taking vistas of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Murphin Ridge Inn is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway, family vacation or business retreat.
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| Area Places to Eat |
| Fine Dining | | Murphin Ridge Inn - Situated on 142 acres of rolling woodland and farmland with breath-taking vistas of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Murphin Ridge Inn is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway, family vacation or business retreat.
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Downey Diving - Shawnee State Park - Shawnee Lake. Weather. How to Get There. Local Contacts. What To See. Rates. Contact Us. Shawnee State Park consists of 3,983 acres in Pennsylvania.s scenic Ridge and Valley Province. Located... | | Shawnee State Park in Bedford county, PA - Shawnee State Park information for Bedford County, PA. Pennsylvania! | | Printer-Friendly Schedule - Date. Race. Contact/Flyer. June 26. BCC Richmond Time Trial #3. The time trial page. June 26. Southern Indiana Time Trial. Curtis Tolson. June 29-30. Dayton, Ohio, criterium. ... | | Ohio Triathlon and Multi-Sport CalendarTriFind.com - ... -T 3 Day Team Triathlon Event Location: Shawnee State Park Phone: 740-342-0853 email: kurek@ ... -Road Series #5 Beginner, Sport, Expert Location: Shawnee State Park Phone: 740-342-0853 email: kurek@ ... | | TriFind.com Races - THE OHIO TRIATHALATOR Triathlons Multi-Sport Events. Saturday, April 06, 2002 Toledo, Ohio: Ultra Athlete Indoor Triathlon. 15 min swim/15min bike (CompuTrainer) /15min run. Time: 7:00 am EST. ... | | NCTA: Explore the Trail- Ohio - ... excellent 60-mile Shawnee Backpack Trail in Shawnee State Park and State Forest. This beautiful trail, ... 5, Box 151C, Portsmouth OH 45662, or Shawnee State Park, Star Rt. 68, Portsmouth OH 45662. ... | | NCTA: Following the NCT - ... excellent 60-mile Shawnee Backpack Trail in Shawnee State Park and State Forest. This beautiful trail, ... 5, Box 151C, Portsmouth OH 45662, or Shawnee State Park, Star Rt. 68, Portsmouth OH 45662. ... | | Recreation... Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce - It's difficult to know where to start: maybe somewhere in the 60,000-acre Shawnee State Forest, or how about on a championship golf course? And don't forget the rivers, where you can go boating,... | | Welcome To Quilt Escape 2002 - Click Here, To Get Driving Direction To Quilt Escape 2002, At Shawnee State Park. Quilt Escape is held at Shawnee State Park... Shawnee State Park is located in the Appalachian foothills near... | | Scioto County, Ohio | Shawnee State Forest Resort - Shawnee State Forest Resorts offers cabins, camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, a lodge and restaurant, boating, golf and more. | | Ohio Bicycle Events Calendar - ... 2nd WHO TOUR (WORST HILLS IN OHIO). Shawnee State Park. Cover 50 hilly miles each day through ... Rider Limit: 100. Entry Deadline: May 23. Shawnee State Park and Resort. Kevin Bradbury; 4404 State ... | | Statewide Ohio bird sightings in July 1998 - Statewide Ohio bird sightings in July 1998 | | Statewide Ohio bird sightings in June 1998 - Statewide Ohio bird sightings in June 1998 |
| Area Attractions: |
| Many historic attractions can be found in the Shawnee area including Tremper Mound, Serpent Mound, the Olde Wayside Inn, the 1810 House and the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center. The Bonyfiddle section of nearby Portsmouth is a historic district containing numerous antique shops and historic architectural buildings.
Shawnee State Forest is the largest of Ohio's twenty state forests. The forest contains impressive stands of oak, hickory, sassafras, buckeye, black gum, pitch pine and shortleaf pine. Other forest features include a 42-mile backpack trail with primitive campsites, over seventy miles of bridle trails, horsemen's campground, and an 8,000-acre wilderness area. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Wolford's Landing Campground
6888 E Front St
Portsmouth, OH
(740) 776-9956
| Portsmouth River Front Campgrounds
1208 Riverview Dr
Portsmouth, OH
(740) 354-8814
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Ol Dad's Outdoor Store
206 Market St
Portsmouth, OH
(740) 353-2051
| Cliff's Lake
2917 State Route 335
Portsmouth, OH
(740) 776-1010
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Xanterra Parks & Resorts
11383 Us Highway 52
Stout, OH
(740) 858-6681
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| Directions: |
| 4404 State Route 125, Portsmouth, Ohio 45663-9003 |
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