ODNR Division of Forestry State Forests & Recreation

Map of State Forests and District Office Contact

Land Management Program

State Forest Certification

Pathways to Participation

Dispute Resolution

State Forest Recreation and General Visitation/Policy Information

Horse Camps and Bridle Trails

History of Ohio State Forests

State Forest Work Plans 


Our mission is to promote and apply management for the sustainable use of Ohio's private and public forest lands.

State Forest Program Administrators

Division of Forestry
2045 Morse Rd.
Building H1.
Columbus, OH 43229

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FIREWOOD ALERT! ODNR and the Department of Agriculture are trying to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer which is an insect that kills ash trees.Extensively found in Michigan and in parts of Indiana and Ohio, the movement of firewood from Michigan into Ohio and out of quarantined counties in Indiana and Ohio has been banned.Campers warned not to risk fines if caught bringing firewood from these quarantined zones.

AUDIO: ATVs and APVs

AUDIO: Ohio's Best Fall Color Trees

VIDEO and MORE AUDIO


Make Safety a Part of Your Outdoor Adventure


Northern District Open Houses
Maumee State Forest
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Maumee State Forest Headquarters
3390 County Road D, Swanton, Ohio 43558


Mohican Memorial and Eastern State Forests
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
New Philadelphia ODOT District Office
2201 Reiser Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
  
Southern District Open House
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Chillicothe District Office - 345 Allen Avenue, Chillicothe, OH 45601



State Forest Five-Year Plans: Years 2011-2016 (pdf):

Beaver Creek State Forest

Blue Rock State Forest

Brush Creek State Forest

Dean State Forest

Fernwood State Forest

Gifford State Forest

Harrison State Forest

Hocking State Forest

Maumee State Forest

Mohican-Memorial State Forest

Perry State Forest

Pike State Forest

Richland Furnace State Forest

Scioto Trail State Forest

Shade River State Forest

Shawnee State Forest

Sunfish State Forest

Tar Hollow State Forest

Vinton Furnace State Forest "New"

Yellow Creek State Forest

Zaleski State Forest


2012 Fiscal Year State Forest Annual Work Plans (pdf):

Blue Rock State Forest

Brush Creek State Forest

Dean State Forest

Eastern Forests
(Fernwood, Harrison, Beaver Creek,
Yellow Creek, and Sunfish Creek)

Gifford State Forest

Hocking State Forest

Maumee State Forest

Mohican-Memorial State Forest

Perry State Forest

Pike State Forest

Richland Furnace State Forest

Scioto Trail State Forest

Shade River State Forest

Shawnee State Forest

Tar Hollow State Forest

Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest

Zaleski State Forest



2011 Fiscal Year State Forest Annual Work Plans (pdf):

(The fiscal year 2012 State Forest Annual Work Plans, along with a comment opportunity will be posted shortly.)

Blue Rock State Forest

Brush Creek State Forest

Dean State Forest

Eastern Forests
(Fernwood, Harrison, Beaver Creek,
Yellow Creek, and Sunfish Creek)

Gifford State Forest

Hocking State Forest

Maumee State Forest

Mohican-Memorial State Forest

Perry State Forest

Pike State Forest

Richland Furnace State Forest

Scioto Trail State Forest

Shade River State Forest

Shawnee State Forest

Tar Hollow State Forest

Zaleski State Forest

 

Trail Closures:  There are many hanging limbs and uprooted trees that may pose hazards to forest visitors.  Please be careful while visiting the state forests, use caution, and be sure to watch out for all hazards. 

Gifford State Forest: Hiking trails are open from the parking area to the vista.  Trails are closed past the vista due to timber sale activity.

 State Forest Management
Ohio has 21 state forests covering more than 200,000 acres. Ohio State Forests vary in size from nearly 64,000 acres to less than 500 acres and are located in 21 Ohio counties. These forests are managed for multiple uses including sustainable timber production, wildlife habitat, soil and water protection, and recreation. 
 
Some 88% of Ohio’s forested land is owned by private landowners, most owning less than 50 acres. Ohio State Forests provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of long-term management to an increasing number of private landowners. These lands are managed on a landscape scale not possible with small land holdings.
 
Ohio’s State Forests were mostly acquired in the form of degraded forest lands. The majority of state forest acreage was purchased prior to 1950, but acquisitions continue to be made to the present day (Vinton Furnance Experimental Forest acquisition). Forestry in Ohio began during the early years of the national conservation movement in the late 1800’s, and the state forest system began in 1916 (see ”History of Ohio State Forests”).
 
The Division of Forestry is committed to the sustainable management of Ohio State Forests. In order to verify and prove our commitment, the Division of Forestry has committed to achieving and maintaining certification of our management to the principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
 
The Division of Forestry involves the public in decision making in several different ways. Learn how you can provide input by accessing our Pathways for Participation site or visit a state forest and give us your comments. 



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