Located
in the Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio River, Shawnee State Park is
nestled in the 60,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. Once the hunting grounds of the Shawnee
Indians, the region is one of the most picturesque in the state, featuring erosion-carved
valleys and wooded hills. The rugged beauty of the area has earned it the nickname
"The Little Smokies."
Nature of the Area
Several hundred million years ago, a general upheaval of eastern
North America made changes in the terrain that are evident in Ohio today. South and east
of Ohio, the layers of bedrock folded and buckled, giving rise to the Appalachian
Mountains.
The forested hills of Shawnee are a part of the Appalachian Plateau.
Here, the bedrock layers were uplifted but no real distortion occurred; for this reason,
Shawnee never had true "mountains." In fact, all of Ohio's hill country is a
feature of stream erosion on this prehistoric raised plain and is often referred to as the
foothills of the Appalachians.
The hills of Shawnee have also been dubbed "Ohio's Little
Smokies." Looking toward the Ohio River, one can certainly see how the region
acquired such a nickname. From the highest points in the forest, ridge after ridge appears
to roll away toward the horizon in a gentle blue haze. This distinctive color comes from
moisture in the air which is generated by the thousands of acres of forest.
The hardwood forest is host to a variety of flora and fauna.
Wildflowers are abundant including several rare types of orchids such as the tiny whorled
pogonia and the showy orchis. Forest wildlife includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey,
raccoon, various songbirds and rare sightings of bobcat and black bear.
History of the Area
The 60,000 acres of Shawnee State Forest and Shawnee State Park
encompass a part of the former hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians. Historians note
that the Shawnee name means "those who have silver," as the tribe conducted
considerable trade in this precious metal. A major Shawnee village, known as Lower Town,
was located near the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto rivers. The Scioto River provided
access to the heart of the Shawnee country in central and southern Ohio.
The Ohio River was the gateway to frontier settlement in the Ohio
region as well as for Indiana and Illinois. This expansive waterway, the Spaylawitheepi in
Indian tongue, was the site of many confrontations between incoming pioneers and the red
man. The Shawnees monitored the influx of the white settlers from the line of ridges that
overlooked the mighty Ohio River.
During the 1700s, the Shawnee Indians were gradually displaced as
the settlers continued to build their cabins and clear land in this new and fertile
country. The face of the region changed a great deal in the years to come, but through
effective timber management practices by the state's Division of Forestry, Shawnee State
Forest has regained much of its original appearance. Similarly, resource conservation
programs coupled with wise land use practices at Shawnee State Park have assured that this
1,168-acre recreational facility will continue to maintain its natural beauty.
Lands were acquired for the park in 1922 and it was first operated
as Theodore Roosevelt State Game Preserve. In the 1930s, six Civilian Conservation Corps
camps were located in the area. It was at this time that many of the roads and lakes of
the area were constructed. In 1949, with the creation of the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources and the Division of Parks and Recreation, the area became a state park and
forest. The name was changed to Portsmouth State Park in the early seventies but has since
been changed back to Shawnee State Park.
Lodge
The resort lodge at Shawnee offers a breathtaking view of the
surrounding hill country. The lodge features fifty guest rooms, elegant dining room,
meeting rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, basketball and shuffleboard courts.
Cabins
There are 25 family cabins at Shawnee. They have two bedrooms with
twin beds, bath with a shower, living room with a sleeper sofa, complete kitchen, dining
area and screened porch. Lodge facilities are available to cabin guests.
Camping
The family campground at Shawnee has 107 sites suitable for tents or
trailers. The campground features electric hookups, waste disposal, heated shower houses,
flush toilets and laundry facilities. Pet camping is available on a limited number of
sites. A 20-site horsemen's campground with latrines is available near Bear Lake on state
forest land.
Boating
Roosevelt and Turkey Creek lakes offer boating with electric motors
only. Launch ramps are provided for access to the lakes. Canoes are available for rental.
Boaters may spend a day on the Ohio River with access from the park's marina facility.
Fishing
The well stocked lakes provide good catches of largemouth bass,
catfish, bluegill, crappie and trout. A trout derby is held annually at Turkey Creek Lake.
Trails
The park and surrounding state forest invite hikers to discover the
plant and animal life of Shawnee's forested hills. The Shawnee backpack trail operated by
the Division of Forestry takes hikers to some of the best wilderness areas in Ohio. The
forest also offers 75 miles of bridle trails.
Swimming
Two public beaches with change booths are situated on Roosevelt and
Turkey Creek lakes.
Golfing
An 18-hole championship golf course and pro-shop are within a short
drive of the main park area.
Picnicking
Picnic areas with tables and grills are located in many secluded and
scenic areas of the park. Two picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served
basis.
Area Attractions
Many historic attractions can be found in the Shawnee area including
Tremper Mound, Serpent Mound, the Olde Wayside Inn, the 1810 House and the Southern Ohio
Museum and Cultural Center. The Bonyfiddle section of nearby Portsmouth is a historic
district containing numerous antique shops and historic architectural buildings.
Shawnee State Forest is the largest of Ohio's twenty state forests.
The forest contains impressive stands of oak, hickory, sassafras, buckeye, black gum,
pitch pine and shortleaf pine. Other forest features include a 42-mile backpack trail with
primitive campsites, over seventy miles of bridle trails, horsemen's campground, and an
8,000-acre wilderness area.
