Burr Oak State Park Backpack Trail
BackpackOhio.com status: Last hiked in June, 2021. A new updated Trail Guide is now available.
County: Athens, Morgan
Nearest town: Glouster
Length: 21.9 miles starting at Burr Oak State Park Nature Center Trailhead.
Difficulty: Hiking is moderately easy with a few steep climbs though no single drop (or climb) is over 150 feet. Route is generally well marked and easy to follow.
Permit/Fees: There are no permits required to hike, however there are fees required to camp at the authorized campsites. There are nearby options including Wayne National Forest’s Wildcat Hollow and Burr Oak Cove Campground.
Contact Information: Burr Oak State Park Office (740) 767-3570. Camp reservations (866) 644-6727. Web, ohiodnr.gov.
Location: Trailhead (N39° 31.743′ W82° 01.588′) From the Nelsonville area, take Ohio Rt 78 east to a left at the Burr Oak State Park entrance, towards the lodge. The Nature Center/Trailhead is at the first intersection. From Athens, take Rt 13 north to Rt 78 east.
Trail Facilities: There is a paved lot, as well as a kiosk with a map at the trailhead. Restrooms are available at the nearby Lodge. The route is blazed with yellow paint. The trail surface is dirt, and there are sections, generally along the upper reaches of the lake, that lay wet well after a rain. Camping is allowed at three developed campgrounds along the trail. Also along the trail are boat docks which have water and restrooms in season; two even sport small stores with snacks.
Water: There is no potable water at the trailhead, but at several locations along the trail so, in season, there is no need to collect water. The trail does circle Burr Oak Lake, so water is pretty handy there. Always filter/purify water taken from a natural source. Also, keep in mind that there is a history of mining in the area which, at times has released contaminants into local bodies of water. Burr Oak is adjacent to Wayne National Forest and the U.S. Forest Service recommends against drinking even filtered water collected from within Wayne National Forest due to the possibility of contamination.
Highlights: Lakeside hiking, beautiful lake vistas, relatively easy for beginning backpacker
Maps: ODNR Burr Oak State Park trail map
;Local Information:
Burr Oak State Park Backpack Trail encircles the most prominent feature of the park, Burr Oak Lake. The 664-acre lake was created as a flood control reservoir in 1950 with the damming of Sunday Creek by the Tom Jenkins Dam. The lake itself and facilities adjacent to the dam are operated by the US Corps of Engineers, but traveling between state and Federal jurisdictions is seamless.
The state park is about 2,600 acres but the trail generally stays close to the lake. It’s also relatively “flat” compared to other trails in eastern Ohio. With the lake filling the valley, the climbs and drops are rarely more than 100 feet at a time and with a few short exceptions, is graded to be moderate. Despite this, there are a few rock outcrops and even some small caves to add interest to the hike.
Like nearby Wayne National Forest, there is a history of coal mining, though evidence of the activity has faded through the years. The land has been a park for seventy years now and the forest is becoming fairly mature. Based on my visits, the deer population is strong and the upper reaches of the lake support beaver and a variety of waterfowl and shore birds.
The park itself is popular, expect to see and hear boat traffic outside of the winter months. In the warmer seasons the trail can be busy with day hikers, though in several trips around the lake, I’ve yet to meet another backpacker. The Trailhead is close to the park’s lodge, a great place for a celebratory refreshment, meal or even room after completing the hike.
As mentioned, Wayne National Forest is also close by and can be accessed for primitive camping options and/or to extend the hike. If the 22-mile hike is not long enough, a short trail or road walk connects to Wildcat Hollow Backpack Trail where another 15 miles can be added on…..
An updated, complete Burr Oak Trail Report is now available
