Contact Information
219 Columbus Road
Athens, OH 45701
740-592-0200
Tucked into the southeast corner of Ohio, the Wayne National Forest is a slice of classic Americana. The countryside is a blend of forested hillsides and pastureland. The history of the area is interwoven with the present -- from ancient Adena Indian mounds in the center of small communities, to covered bridges along rural roads, or the skeletal remains of the great rock iron furnaces. The Wayne lies in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Rugged hills covered with diverse stands of hardwoods, pine, and cedar; lakes, rivers, and streams; springs, rockshelters, and covered bridges, all characterize the Wayne National Forest. Much of the Wayne National Forest was strip mined at the turn of the century, so part of the Forest is in various stages of reclamation and revegetation.Lake Vesuvius is the recreational mecca for the Wayne National Forest. Vesuvius is a large, 143 acre lake nestled in the wooded hills is encircled by over 25 miles of hiking trails. These trails travel through some of the most striking landscapes that Ohio has to offer with a variety of vegetation, rock outcrops, and many species of wildlife. Woodland songbirds, deer, beaver, and turkey are commonly seen. Soaring above the lakes or perched in shoreline trees you may also see hawks and osprey. Camping, picnicking, or fishing make this a great weekend trip. There are numerous other small lakes and rivers in the area that offer fishing and boat access. Just a few hours drive from Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, Louisville, and Pittsburgh, the Wayne is a true urban forest, valued for the retreat it offers from this harried modern world.
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