Civilian Conservation Corps workers helped build lakes in the Shawnee region during the 1930s.
That lake still sits in the woods today, and you can paddle right across it.
The hills around it earned a nickname that sounds like a typo. People call this corner of Ohio the Little Smokies.
Yes, mountains, sort of, in the Buckeye State.
I like how the place mixes rugged trails with a cozy lodge and a warm pool.
You can spend the morning on a ridge and the evening in a hot tub.
That combo feels rare.
I believe most folks drive right past this region without a second thought. That seems like a mistake worth fixing.
So what exactly is waiting out there in those foothills?
Ohio Has Mountains, And You Can Hike Them Here
Flat cornfields get all the press, but Shawnee State Park flips that script fast. The park covers 1,095 acres of steep, wooded Appalachian foothills in southern Ohio.
It also sits inside the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. That huge green buffer is why the region earned the nickname Ohio’s Little Smokies.
More than 60 miles of hiking trails wind through the surrounding Shawnee region, including the park and forest. Short options include the 0.8-mile Lake Trail and the 1.5-mile Lampblack Trail.
Want a bigger day? The 5-mile Park Loop Trail and the 2.9-mile Knighton Nature Trail add more climbing and more woods.
The Dr. E. Lucy Braun Lookout Trail offers a 2-mile loop with interpretive signs honoring the pioneering botanist.
The Lodge Beach Trail is a quick 0.5-mile stroll for lazy legs.
Pack real shoes, not your favorite sneakers. These hills are no joke, and your calves will file a complaint by lunch.
Spring is a sweet spot for a visit. Birding gets excellent in late April and early May during migration, so bring binoculars along with your snacks.
The 40-Mile Backpack Trail Is Ohio’s Big Adventure
Forty-plus miles of trail in one loop? That’s the Shawnee Backpack Trail, and it ranks among the boldest outings anywhere in Ohio.
Portions of the route overlap with two famous long trails. You’ll walk sections of both the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Trail.
Backcountry camping happens in seven designated areas along the way. That means you can break the trip into chunks instead of sprinting like a caffeinated deer.
Plan your days honestly. The terrain climbs and drops over and over, so a mileage goal that looks easy on paper can feel very different on foot.
Bring plenty of water, a solid tent, and layers for chilly nights. A good map matters too, since cell service in rugged forest country can be spotty.
Not ready for the full loop? You can still sample the woods on shorter park trails first.
Think of it as a test drive before the big commitment.
Either way, finishing even part of this trail gives you serious bragging rights. Your friends who stayed home will hear about it for weeks.
Paddle A Lake With A Surprising Backstory
Roosevelt Lake looks peaceful today, but its story runs deep. In 1934, Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1545 helped create it.
That company was made up of Black World War I veterans. Their work still shapes how you’ll spend a sunny afternoon here.
Shawnee State Park holds two lakes, Roosevelt Lake and Turkey Creek Lake. Together they total 68 acres, and both have launch ramps.
Roosevelt Lake keeps things quiet. Only hand-powered and electric-only boats are allowed, so you can actually hear the birds.
Turkey Creek Lake allows gas motors, but only at idle speed. Nobody will be wakeboarding past your fishing line.
Don’t own a boat? No problem.
Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats are available to rent from May through October.
Pedal boats are a fun pick for families. Paddleboards are a fun pick if you enjoy unplanned swims.
Both lakes also have public beaches. So if the paddleboard wins the battle, at least you’ll land near sand.
Need More Horsepower? The Ohio River Is Right There
Small lakes are lovely, but some boaters crave open water. Good news, because the park borders a very big river.
Shawnee State Park offers access to the Ohio River through a full-service marina. There, unlimited horsepower boats are welcome.
That’s a fun contrast within one park. You can glide silently on Roosevelt Lake in the morning, then open up the throttle on the river later.
The river also anchors one of the park’s two campgrounds. The Ohio River Campground offers 80 full hook-up sites with paved pads.
Campers there get a shower house with flush toilets plus laundry facilities. Clean socks in the woods feel like pure luxury.
The setting gives you big views of the water and the hills across it. Kentucky sits on the far bank, so you can basically wave at another state.
Bring life jackets for everyone, especially kids. River currents deserve respect, even on calm-looking days.
Sunset by the water is a strong way to close out a day. Have your camera ready.
Campers Get Two Very Different Places To Sleep
Tent people and RV people rarely agree on anything. At Shawnee State Park, both crews can stay happy.
Turkey Creek Campground sits back in the woods. It offers 86 electric sites and 21 non-electric sites for tents or trailers.
Two camper cabins are also available there. They’re a nice middle ground if sleeping on the ground sounds rough but a hotel feels too fancy.
The Ohio River Campground is the other choice. Its paved full hook-up sites suit bigger rigs that want water, power, and sewer.
Horse owners get their own option, too. Primitive equestrian camping is available in the neighboring Shawnee State Forest.
Check your rig size before you book. Wooded campgrounds can have tighter turns than a parking lot at a big store.
Look for event calendars when you arrive. They’re posted at kiosks, the camp store, the lodge, and the park office.
October can be extra fun for registered campers. Past Halloween events have included pumpkin carving, costume contests, trick-or-treating, hay rides, and haunted trails.
The Lodge Turns A Hiking Trip Into A Mini Vacation
Sore legs and a warm hot tub make a great team. That’s the main reason the Shawnee Lodge and Conference Center deserves a spot on your plans.
The lodge opened on January 14, 1973. It sits at 4404 State Route 125 in West Portsmouth, OH 45663, listed by the lodge as 4404B.
Inside, you’ll find 50 guest rooms. Another 25 vacation cabins give families and groups a little more breathing room.
Swimmers get both an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. A hot tub waits nearby for anyone whose calves are still recovering from those hills.
Restless kids have options as well. There’s a game room, plus basketball and shuffleboard courts.
A gift shop rounds things out for souvenir hunters. Grab something small so you remember the trip, or something big so your car remembers it too.
Rainy weekend? The lodge saves the day.
You can still swim, play games, and enjoy forest views without getting soaked.
Book early for popular weekends. Cozy rooms in the woods tend to go quickly.
Dinner Comes With A View Of The Hills
Trail mix only gets you so far. Eventually you want a real plate of food and a chair that isn’t a log.
That’s where the Smokehouse Restaurant comes in. It sits inside the lodge and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The big bonus is the scenery. Windows look out over the surrounding hills, so your meal comes with a side of forest.
Bringing a crowd? Reservations are recommended for parties of six or more.
A quick call ahead beats a hungry group standing around.
The Tecumseh Lounge offers another option. It serves appetizers and pizzas when you want something more casual.
Holidays bring something special as well. The Smokehouse Restaurant offers a Thanksgiving Buffet, which means nobody at home has to wash the roasting pan.
Plan your hike around mealtimes for the best results. A long morning on the trails makes a lodge lunch taste even better.
Breakfast before a big paddle works too. Fuel up first, then go burn it off on Roosevelt Lake.
Kids Can Get Muddy And Meet Some Critters
A mud kitchen is basically a dream come true for small humans. The Shawnee Nature Center has one, and parents should pack spare clothes.
The center features displays of native plants and animals. Look for fossils, insects, reptiles, and amphibians, plus a small nature library.
Naturalists lead programs here. Visitors can even interact with local wildlife under supervision, which beats any screen time.
Outside, a natural playground includes that mud kitchen and a pioneer garden. A historic Civilian Conservation Corps cabin is also open for tours.
Timing matters, though. The center usually opens June through August, Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 3 PM.
It also opens most Saturdays in May, September, and October during those same hours. Check before you go.
Little walkers have great trail options nearby. The Turkey Creek Nature Center Trail is a 0.5-mile loop that works for wheelchairs and strollers.
The Storybook Trail places pages of a children’s story along the path. Reading and walking at once?
Sneaky parenting at its finest.
Aim For The Target, Then Toss A Disc Or Two
Some folks hike, and some folks prefer flinging things. Shawnee State Park happily feeds both habits.
The Black Bear Disc Golf Course sits near Turkey Creek Lake and the lodge. It’s an easy add-on after lunch or a swim.
An archery range near the Nature Center offers static targets at 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards. Bring your own field-tip equipment, since gear isn’t provided.
Bikers get plenty of mileage, too. Paved road rides include The Bear Cub, The Rattlesnake, and The Bobcat.
Tougher riders can tackle The Tick and Lampblack. Names like that tell you the hills won’t go easy.
Riders on four legs have room as well. The Shawnee State Forest holds more than 70 miles of bridle trails, with more inside the park.
Want a slower afternoon? Picnic areas with tables and grills are scattered across the grounds.
Two historic shelters on Roosevelt Lake can be reserved for gatherings. The park sits about 15 to 20 minutes from Portsmouth, so your next Ohio weekend is closer than you think.
