Strouds Run State Park

Serving as the wilderness and recreation getaway for Ohio University Students, Strouds Run State Park centers around the manmade Dow Lake, a 161-acre reservoir with a 900-foot sand beach on its eastern shore. The lake is surrounded by rugged forests, filled with rocky bluffs and secluded waterfalls. For hikers, over 11 miles of hiking trails extend throughout the park.

Sources:

• http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/stroudsrun
  
• http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Strouds_Run/stroudsruntrailmap.pdf
  

Strouds Run State Park Trail Map

Address: 11661 State Park Rd, Athens, OH 45701

Size: 2,606 acres

Dow Lake by Nick Clemens

Trails:
Beaver Pond Trail
1 mile (one-way), Moderate
Trail begins on State Park Road (TR 212) just north of Linscott Spring and follows Strouds Run upstream to a beaver colony, passing through state hunting lands

Broken Rock Trail
2 miles, Moderate
Begins near Dow Lake with the Lakeview Trail and heads uphill, taking you to a scenic vista of Dow Lake where it connects with the Chestnut Trail and then runs through the woods before descending back down to the lake

Chestnut Trail
Short, Moderate
Connects the Lakeview Trail to the Broken Rock Trail and takes you up to a scenic view of Dow Lake

Lakeview Trail
7 miles, Moderate
Trail follows the northeastern shore of Dow Lake, connecting with the Chestnut and Broken Rock Trails and passing by Pine Cove

Vista Point Trail
1.5 miles, Difficult
Trail begins at a turnoff from State Park Road and crosses Strouds Run and takes you to a scenic overlook of Dow Lake. Connects with the White Pine Trail

White Pine Trail
Short, EasyShort trail that breaks off from the Vista Point Trail and connects you to Strouds Run Road

Natural Ohio Adventures