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 Notice to Shawnee State Forest hunters, hikers, and forest users in general - Shawnee SF sustained a severe impact from an ice storm in February, 2003. ( video about the storm)
Hundreds of thousands of trees were uprooted and are lying on the ground. You will notice this soon after you leave the edge of a road or trail and start cross-country. It will definitely slow down and impede your progress.
For every tree that is down, there are many more limbs hanging loosely in the standing trees, ready to fall without warning. Be particularly careful that you don’t find yourself under one of them, particularly on windy days.
As of March 31, 2004, all forest roads, bridle and backpack trails, have been cleared of toppled trees and are open for public use.
The Division of Forestry is striving to responsibly salvage as much of the storm damaged timber in the Forest as possible. As a result, be prepared to see a significant amount of logging activity and truck traffic in the Forest for the next year. Please avoid areas with yellow signs which say “NOTICE – AREA TEMPORARILY CLOSED - DUE TO TIMBER HARVESTING ACTIVITY.”
If you have specific questions about the situation at Shawnee State Forest, please call our toll free number 1-877-247-8733 or stop by the Forestry office at 13291 US Hwy 52, (740-858-6685).
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| FY 2010 Annual Work Plan |
| Shawnee State Forest Fire Salvage Work Plan |
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Shawnee State Forest Fire Salvage Work Plan
Approved Shawnee Wilderness Area Management Plan 2009-2019 (pdf)
Attention Trail Users
Forest crews have been working hard to stabilize and improve the recreation trails. It is our hope that this temporary inconvenience will further improve your recreation experiences at Shawnee State Forest.
Bridle Trail Rehabilitation Work is now complete and all bridle trails are open.
Currently, The Shawnee Forest Crew will be rehabilitating portions of the hiking trails.
The trails that are being worked on may be temporarily closed. Please use caution and be alert for trail closed signs, dozers, and forestry staff working in the area.
Special thanks goes to the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Ruffed Grouse Society, as well as the ODNR Division of Wildlife for providing the seed mixture used for soil stabilization and wildlife forage during our rehabilitation efforts.
Shawnee State Forest Notes
Once inhabited by the Shawnee Indians, Shawnee State Forest came into existence in 1922 with the purchase of 5,000 acres of land which had been cut over for timber and ravaged by fire. During that same year, land acquisition was begun for the Theodore Roosevelt Game Preserve.
In the 1930s, six Civilian Conservation Corps camps were located in the forest. During this period, many of the roads were constructed in the then nearly inaccessible area. Many other accomplishments resulted, including five small lakes that were built to serve as water supplies for the camps.
Following the creation of the Department of Natural Resources in 1949, the recreational facilities at Roosevelt Lake were transferred to the Division of Parks. The Roosevelt Game Preserve, by a 1951 agreement between the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, became a part of the forest.
Shawnee State Forest, also called "The Little Smokies of Ohio," has developed into the largest of the 20 state forests, with over 60,000 acres. While the Forest is a fantastic recreation feature in Southern Ohio, you should not be surprised to see other activities occurring. The Forest is a working forest. It is managed to provide a variety of multiple uses on a sustained yield basis.
Timber harvesting, tree planting, wildlife habitat, forestry research, watershed and soil protection, and production of tree seeds are all in a day's work for Forest Employees and many local residents. During the spring and fall forest fire danger periods, state forest crews detect and suppress wildfires that occur on state and private lands within the surrounding protection area.
Nearly 8,000 acres of the forest have been designated as wilderness. Timber management activities and public motorized travel have been eliminated in the area.
In the mid-1800s and early 1900s, building stone was quarried from Vastine and Cabbage Patch hollows. The stone was moved by railroad to the Ohio River and loaded on barges. Much of the stone was used in the construction of buildings in Cincinnati.
General Forest Rules
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Shawnee State Forest is open to visitors between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Legal campers, hunters and anglers may be present during other hours.
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Operation of motor vehicles is restricted to roads provided for such travel. The speed limit on state forest roads is 30 mph unless otherwise posted. Vehicles may not be parked where traffic or access to division service roads or trails will be obstructed.
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Horses may be ridden only along forest roads or on designated bridle trails. Bear Lake Horse Camp Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
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Swimming and motorized boats, except with electric motors, are prohibited in state forest lakes.
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Fires are not permitted except in grills or fire rings provided or in portable stoves. Fires must be attended at all times.
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Litter must be disposed of in receptacles provided.
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Camping is permitted only in areas provided and designated for such use.
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Public display or consumption of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited.
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Disturbance, defacement or destruction of any property, material, natural feature or vegetation is prohibited. Berries, nuts and mushrooms may be gathered and removed except from tree seed orchards or posted areas.
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General visitation guidelines
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