List of Ohio state forests facts for kids
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry looks after 23 amazing state forests across Ohio. These special places are like giant outdoor classrooms and playgrounds, perfect for exploring nature and learning about the environment.
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Discover Ohio's State Forests!
Ohio's state forests are huge areas of land covered mostly by trees. They are managed by the state government to protect nature, provide homes for wildlife, and offer fun activities for people. Think of them as big natural parks where you can hike, observe animals, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods.
What Are State Forests?
State forests are different from state parks. While state parks often have more developed facilities like cabins and swimming areas, state forests focus more on managing trees and natural resources. This means they are important for things like keeping our air clean, filtering water, and providing wood products. They also offer a chance to see Ohio's natural beauty up close.
Meet Ohio's 23 State Forests
Ohio is home to 23 state forests, each with its own unique features. They range in size from smaller areas perfect for a quick visit to enormous forests where you can spend days exploring. The biggest one, Shawnee State Forest, is over 64,000 acres! That's a lot of trees! The smallest, Cravat State Forest, is 350 acres, still a great place to connect with nature.
Here's a list of Ohio's state forests:
| Name | Location (main entrance) | Size (acres) |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek State Forest | 1,122 | |
| Blue Rock State Forest | Muskingum County | 4,578 |
| Brush Creek State Forest | Rarden | 13,515 |
| Cravat State Forest | Belmont County | 350 |
| Dean State Forest | Lawrence County | 2,745 |
| Fernwood State Forest | Jefferson County | 3,023 |
| Gifford State Forest | Athens County | 320 |
| Harrison State Forest | Harrison County | 1,345 |
| Hocking State Forest | Laurelville | 9,817 |
| Maumee State Forest | Swanton | 3,299 |
| Mohican-Memorial State Forest | Ashland County | 4,541 |
| Perry State Forest | New Lexington | 4,706 |
| Pike State Forest | Pike/Highland counties | 12,159 |
| Richland Furnace State Forest | Byer | 2,524 |
| Scioto Trail State Forest | Chillicothe | 9,600 |
| Shade River State Forest | Meigs County | 2,859 |
| Shawnee State Forest | West Portsmouth | 64,978 |
| Sunfish Creek State Forest | Monroe County | 637 |
| Tar Hollow State Forest | Chillicothe | 16,436 |
| Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest | Vinton County | 12,086 |
| West Blue Rock State Forest | Muskingum County | 698 |
| Yellow Creek State Forest | Columbiana County | 756 |
| Zaleski State Forest | Zaleski | 27,851 |
Why Are Forests So Important?
Forests are super important for our planet and for us! They help clean the air we breathe by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They also help keep our water clean by filtering it as it flows through the soil. Forests provide homes for countless animals, from tiny insects to deer and birds. They are also a great place for people to relax, learn, and enjoy nature.
Explore More About Nature
Want to learn more about forests and protected areas? Check out these links!
- List of U.S. National Forests
- Protected areas of Ohio
- Southern Great Lakes forests
