Recreation

The Wayne National Forest is within a few hours’ drive of several metropolitan areas such as Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati, Louisville and Pittsburgh. Yet it retains an air of nostalgia, with covered bridges, rock shelters, springs and rugged hills covered with hardwood and pine. Visitors to the Wayne are welcome to camp, hike, hunt and fish. There are over 400 miles of trails on the forest for hiking, off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding, mountain biking or horseback riding.

Know Before You Go

Take a Map

Passes and Permits

Closures and Notices

2026 Seasonal Recreation Dates

Dates are subject to change depending on weather and trail conditions. All Wayne National Forest trails remain open to hikers year-round even if gates are shut.

MOTORIZED TRAILS: Motorized/off-highway vehicle trails are scheduled to open the first Friday in April (4/3/2026). They are scheduled to close the first Monday morning in December (12/7/2026). The last full day of riding OHVs will be Sunday, December 6, 2026. 

NON-MOTORIZED TRAILS: Non-motorized (horse and bike) trails are scheduled to open the first Friday in April (4/3/2026). These include the Baileys Trail System, Lake Vesuvius Horse Trail System, Kinderhook Horse Trail System, and Stone Church Horse Trail System. Stone Church Horse Camp will also open on April 3, 2026. These facilities are scheduled to close the first Monday in January (1/4/2027). The last full day to ride horses and mountain bikes will be Sunday, January 3, 2027.

CAMPGROUNDS AND PICNIC SITES: All other campgrounds and picnic sites are scheduled to open on April 10, 2026. Most reservable sites that offer water and electricity are scheduled to close on October 11, 2026. These include the Leith Run, Oak Hill, and Iron Ridge Campgrounds, as well as the Furnace and Roadside Picnic Shelters. Pine Knob Campground and Two Points Group Campground will remain open until December 20, 2026, to support winter hunting and camping activities.

Most other sites are scheduled to close on January 4, 2027. These include the Lamping Homestead, Hune Bridge, Lane Farm, and Ring Mill Campgrounds, as well as Sand Run and Utah Ridge Picnic Areas. Likewise, Burr Oak Cove Campground is scheduled to close on 1/4/2027, but its water will be shut off in late fall.

Paddle Creek Horse Camp and Frontier Boat Launch remain open year-round.

BEACH SWIMMING: Big Bend Beach at Lake Vesuvius is scheduled to open on May 22 and close on September 7, 2026.

North Country Scenic Trail Junior Ranger Adventure Guides Available

North Country Scenic Trail Junior Ranger adventure guides are now available at the Wayne National Forest! The activity booklets can be collected for free at the Forest's Welcome Center in Nelsonville, Ohio, during normal business hours. The guides allow children to learn about Leave No Trace Principles, hiking preparedness, and map-reading skills through worksheets and hands-on activity ideas. The guides also have instructions on how to redeem a Junior Ranger badge once complete.