East Fork State Park Backpack Trail
BackpackOhio.com status: Last hiked in March, 2021. A Full Trail Guide download is now available.
County: Clermont
Nearest town: Amelia
Length: 16 miles, out and back with a loop at the far end.
Difficulty: Hiking is moderate with a few short, steep climbs. Route is well marked.
Permit/Fees: There are no fees to camp, though a permit is required. At least during Covid, the permit is self-issued and available just outside of the park’s office.
Contact: Park office (513) 734-2730. Web, ohiodnr.gov.
Location: Park Office (N39° 00.266′ W84° 08.449′) Trailhead (N39° 00.394′ W84° 08.532′) Directions: From I-275, east of Cincinnati, take exit #63 to OH-32 East. In five miles, take exit for OH-222 South. After seven miles, left on Old State Rt 125 then left on Elklick Rd to either the Park office or the Trailhead.
Trail Facilities: Restrooms are available at the park office ¼ mile from the trailhead. The trailhead has gravel parking, ample signage, a map and a latrine. The trail is well marked with red blazes and signage at major intersections. Much of the trail co-exists with the blue blazed Buckeye Trail. The trail surface is dirt, typically well drained though there are sections that lay wet. Portions of the trail are open to mountain bikes. The two campsites have small shelters, fire rings and flat areas for tents. Older latrines at the campsites have been removed and there are no plans to replace them at this time.
Water: Potable water is available at the park office. There is none at the Trailhead or on the trail. There are several seasonal streams along the route and East Fork Lake is often in sight for those that really want to treat or filter their water.
Maps: ODNR East Fork State Park trail map
Local Information:
The Backpack Trail is located within 4,870-acre East Fork State Park in Clermont County. The park is named after the East Fork of the Little Miami River, which was impounded in 1978 creating William Harsha Lake. At 2,160 acres, this flood control reservoir is a major natural feature of the park. Other facilities of the park include a beach, nature center, picnic shelters, campground and trails for horses, mountain bikes, hiking and not one, but two trails for backpacking. However, the Perimeter Trail is a multi-use trail that is extremely rough and/or muddy from significant equestrian traffic. Conditions can be bad enough that I felt it best to not promote it on this site at this time.
East Fork State Park, like much of southwest Ohio, was shaped by glaciers advancing and retreating. Specifically, Illinoian glacial deposits are located in the park and surrounding area. The Backpack Trail meanders through resulting forested hills and rocky creek valleys, along with some flat stretches through swamp forest. The diverse topography results in diverse flora and fauna. Hillsides are thick with oak, hickory, beech and maple while the wetter areas lean toward sycamore, elm and silver maple. In spots, the understory promises to be thick with spring wildflowers. Much of the forest is relatively young, but there are some impressive trees, especially in the steeper creek valleys.
Deer and raccoon call the park home, but the variety of birds was more impressive to me. Beyond waterfowl on the lake and songbirds in the forest, I also spotted turkey and pileated woodpeckers on the hike.
The Hike:
The Backpack Trail is an out and back route with a “lollipop” loop at the end. The Trailhead can be a busy place in season with multiple options for both hikers and mountain bikers all beginning at the same parking lot. To the right of the latrine, trailhead kiosk and a picnic table, the Backpack Trail (BPT) heads out to the north. The trail starts out wide and can lay sloppy until the first turn. The worst sections are covered with a low boardwalk which keeps you out of the worst of it. Watch your step though as it appears a small child positioned the first individual boards. A wildlife viewing shelter is visible to the left.
The first intersection is well marked and BPT heads off to the right. The BPT’s red blazes are faded, but still easy to spot and generally plentiful enough. The yellow blazes are for a mountain bike trail and blue blazes are for the Buckeye Trail (BT) which follows the same route as the BPT all the way to Camp #2……..
Trail Guide download now available.
