Scioto Trail State Park – Hiking Trails, Camping, and Beautiful Lake
Scioto Trail State Park is an overlooked gem in Ohio’s state park system. Located south of Chillicothe, the park features a campground and a photogenic small lake.
Nestled in a state forest overlooking the Scioto River Valley, Scioto Trail State Park is a quaint park perfect for a quick getaway for hiking or an overnight camp out. Scenic hiking trails and beautiful Caldwell Lake are the highlights of Scioto Trail, which is located off of US Route 23, south of Chillicothe.
Scioto Trail is named for the famous Indian trail that followed the Scioto River from North Central Ohio to the Indian hunting grounds in Kentucky. It was developed as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
Scioto Trail State Park Features
- Park Size: approximately 250 acres, with 30 acres of water in 2 lakes
- Camping: 55 sites (40 electric) at Caldwell Lake, 18 non-electric sites at Stewart Lake
- Five miles of hiking trails
- Launch ramp at Caldwell Lake for boating (electric motors only)
- Fishing in both lakes (with a valid Ohio fishing license)
A Quick Escape to Nature
The entrance to Scioto Trail is easy to miss when traveling south on US Route 23. The winding park entrance road perfectly sets an escapist mood with its canopy of forest removing most traces of civilization from view. Caldwell Lake, which is the center of most of the park’s activities, is accessible by a left turn off of the main park road.
Caldwell Lake is a photogenic gem, especially with fall colors in full bloom. A small island with a gazebo is accessible by a bridge on the lake’s north shore. Fishing is allowed in both Caldwell Lake and the smaller Stewart Lake (off of the main park road closer to the entrance) with a valid Ohio Fishing License. Bluegill, Trout, and Catfish are all found in abundance at Scioto Trail.
Hiking Trails and Camping
Scioto Trail features five miles of hiking trails with the trailheads centered around the Caldwell Lake area. Both the 3C Trail and Church Hollow Trail are scenic; they climb up and down the small hills that surround the lake. Of particular interest is the restored Old Log Church, which is a replica of the oldest Presbyterian Church in the Northwest Territory.
The campground at Scioto Trail features 40 electric sites, with non-electric sites available both at the main campground and at a smaller one at Stewart Lake. There are also two camper-cabins available for rental. The campground also has a small camp store.
Anyone looking to escape one of Ohio’s metropolitan areas for a quick getaway to nature would enjoy a trip to Scioto Trail. This small photogenic park is one of Ohio’s forgotten gems. Other Ohio State Parks worth a visit include Malabar Farm State Park, Ohio’s only state park that is also a working farm, and the nearby Mohican State Park and Resort which is a great place to stay during a Malabar Farm visit.
Scioto Trail State Park
144 Lake Rd, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: (740) 887-4818