Shawnee State Park Backpacking Trailhead

Great trail! However, like the signs at the trailhead indicate, it is very strenuous. It is mostly ups and downs. I would definitely recommend bringing hiking sticks, tick repellent, and a water filter. I hiked in early spring and the trail wasn't overgrown and I only got one tick. There are plenty of stream crossings where you can refill on water.

This place is fabulous! Excellent hiking, nature abounding and a beautiful lake.. loved it here!!

Went backpacking the weekend of August 10th. First tip is to check the information board at the parking lot. We didn't learn until too late that the water source at camp 1 was empty. Required us to walk another 1.5 miles north to a different water source, then back to our backs, and the. Finally on to camp 2. Other reviewers have written on here about this trail being a workout and they are 100% right. I dont think there was a flat space for any more than 200 feet. Otherwise it was all up or all down. Another reviewer mentioned spiders. I assumed they were exaggerating or just saw a lot when they camped (no big deal). Nope. Our group took turns leading the way waving hiking sticks up and down to knock down the constant amount of webs. Another review mentioned a lot of ticks. Yep! Lot of em, make sure to spray your clothes. Parts of the trail arent super maintained so you'll walk through some high grass. I think I'll pass on this trail next time its suggested.

TERRIBLE! AWFUL! SO SO BAD! I normally don't leave negative reviews but this trail was SUCH a negative experience. First of all, the trail was clearly made by somebody who hates hikers or somebody who has never actually hiked it themselves​.The ups and downs we're awful. We ended up turning around after awhile and only did about 9 miles total.It was like climbing mountain after never-ending mountain. It wasn't fun in any way. The views we're mostly boring, the trail was much too rocky, almost at times like it was all gravel. And the bugs were so incredibly bad. I mean spiders EVERYWHERE! I AM NOT EXAGGERATING! Eery 50 feet to a hundred feet you would run into a spider web right at face level. Probably thousands and thousands of them right across the trail, one after another. And the worst part of all was the tick infestation. I mean infestation! I wore deep woods bug spray all over me but within 2 hours, I noticed my arms and legs were covered in probably hundreds of tiny ticks!!! My husband was wearing shorts and he got so many bites, if I were to guess, probably close to two or three hundred, maybe more. I almost feel like they should have a warning sign about this. I'll love hiking and do it every weekend and typically during the week too. I've never had a hiking experience so awful. I included a pic of his tick bitten foot and leg. He was wearing long crew cut socks too!!

Not a trail for beginners!nSeveral elevation climbs and descents in the thick woods of Ohio. Not very many cut backs, lots of high pitched sections. Closest camp is 6-7 miles from parking lot.nGreat challenge!