Wayne National Forest extends closure for Shawnee Lookout Tower

NELSONVILLE, Ohio (June 9, 2025) — The Wayne National Forest has extended the closure order for Shawnee Lookout Tower on the Athens Ranger District due to safety concerns from structural deficiencies on the tower’s foundation blocks.

The closure order is necessary to limit foot traffic near the structure. The closure area includes all lands starting at Township Road 393, or Sand Run Road, and Forest Service Road 723 junction and following the road template width of FSR 723 to continue around the site as defined by the rock barrier and mowing limits encompassing the Shawnee Lookout Tower and radio building back to the T-393/FSR723 junction. The closure order will be valid until lifted by the Forest Supervisor.

The tower is marked with a “do not climb” sign and surrounded by a chain link and barbed wire fence with a chain locked gate. 

Shawnee Lookout Tower was originally closed in May 2023. 

The full closure order and map will be available on the Forest's website shortly.