Shawnee State Park

Nestled in the Appalachian foothills of southeast Ohio, Shawnee State Park offers a place where outdoors enthusiasts can unplug and connect with nature. Shawnee State Park spans 1,095 acres within the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest — an area known as the Little Smokies. The region is home to both rare and common species of colorful wildflowers, as well as a variety of animal species.

Starting in February and stretching into late November, the region sees many different species of wildflower in bloom along the park’s backroads and trails. Brilliant purple dwarf crested irises, large flowered trilliums (Ohio’s state wildflower), delicate pink lady slippers and others are easily spotted on a leisurely spring hike.

Shawnee State Forest is unique because it has most species of plants and animals found across Ohio. It also has some rarer ones, such as the fire pink wildflower and the endangered timber rattlesnake. The nearby Ohio River has a warming effect on the park and forest that creates the environment needed for those species to thrive.

The park is also a stop for migrating birds, including brightly colored tiny warblers heading north from the tropics. Cerulean warblers, named for their dazzling blue plumage, and aptly named yellow-throated warblers, among other species, perch within the trees. They can be spotted, especially before leaves start appearing, but their surprisingly loud lyrical songs can also be heard from most anywhere in the park, including the trails and along the shores of the park’s two lakes.

Each April, the lakes are stocked with trout for an annual fishing derby, and the Ohio River is known for its giant catfish. The lakes are also peaceful places to kayak or canoe while watching for or an osprey or pileated woodpecker to fly by. For those who want to stay in the park, the lodge has a restaurant and bar, as well as indoor and outdoor pools. There are also campgrounds by Roosevelt Lake and along the Ohio River. 4404 St. Rte. 125, West Portsmouth, Ohio 45663, 740/858-6652, ohiodnr.gov