Symmes Creek/Morgan Sisters Trail

Area Status: Open

This trailhead is part of the Symmes Creek/Morgan Sisters Trail System. These 6 trails are located in Gallia County, Ohio near Patriot. The trails travel through dense vegetation and over hilly rough terrain with elevation changes of 280 feet. The lowest elevation is 650 feet at Symmes Creek and the highest point is 934 feet on the School House Loop.

Symmes Creek Trails

Symmes Creek North and Symmes Creek South Trails are on the east side of the creek and form a 4.53 mile loop. The trails wind through a variety of young and old forests, along ridgetops, and with occasional overlooks. Along Symmes Creek there are large rock outcroppings and natural wetlands that are reminders of past uses of the land.

Morgan Sisters Trails

The Morgan Sisters Trail System is made up by the Coal Branch, Ridge, and School House loop trails and is located on the west side of Symmes Creek. The Morgan Sisters Trails wind through mature woods with old building sites along the trail. These trails are linked to the two Symmes Creek trails by a short connector trail.

All trails in this trail system are marked with white.

At a Glance

Operational Hours:
  • Open year round for hiking. 
  • Day and night (with lights) access is permitted.
Fees: Free
Usage: Light
Closest Towns: Oak Hill, OH
Water: None
Operated By: Ironton Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

To find the Symmes Creek Trailheads:

  • From Oak Hill, follow SR 233 south for approx. 15 miles.
  • Turn left on Gallia Rd. 
  • Take the third right turn and follow the signs along Symmes Creek Rd.

To find the Morgan Sisters Trailhead:

  • From Oak Hill, follow SR 233 south for approx. 15 miles.
  • Turn left on Gallia Rd. 
  • Take the second right turn and follow the signs along Pumpkintown Rd.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Dispersed Camping

Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:

Camping is allowed along the trail for this long backpack trail.

Fire Information
  • You can build a campfire as long as you have a 10 foot clearance around it and put a ring around it with rocks.
  • Fires must be extinguished before leaving camp.
  • No bonfires are allowed.
  • No standing or green trees may be cut.
  • Check the bulletin boards to ensure no fire bans are in effect.
Reservation Info Sites are not able to be reserved.
No. of Accessible sites 0

River and Stream Fishing

Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:

Fishing opportunities are good year round on the creek shore or by canoe or boat.

Fishing Platform Undeveloped shore
Fish Species Sauger, smallmouth and spotted bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and suckers.
Cleaning Station None

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

The Symmes Creek Trail winds 6-miles through a variety of young and old forests and along ridgetops with occassional overlooks. The trail climbs down to Symmes Creek where large rock outcroppings and natural wetlands are reminders of past uses of the land.

The Morgan Sisters Trail on the south side of the creek offers a more challenging hike through an old growth hardwood forests known locally as Morgan Sisters Woods. It is thought to contain virgin timber which has never been cut. Old home sites and an old school house site can also be seen on this trail.

Symmes Creek and Morgan Sisters are separate trails on opposite sides of Symmes Creek. They are linked by a short connector trail. The two trails offer hikers optional distances ranging from 2, 4, 6, and 8 miles for day hikes or a 14-mile overnight hike when combined.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:

Symmes Creek and Morgan Sisters are separate trails on opposite sides of Symmes Creek. They are linked by a short connector trail. The two trails offer hikers optional distances for day hikes or a 14-mile overnight hike when combined.

The 6-mile Symmes Creek Trail winds through a variety of young and old forests and along ridgetops with occasional overlooks. The trail climbs down to Symmes Creek where large rock outcroppings and natural wetlands are reminders of past uses of the land.

Morgan Sisters Trail on the south side of the creek offers a more challenging hike through an old growth hardwood forests known locally as Morgan Sisters Woods. It is thought to contain virgin timber which has never been cut. Old home sites and an old school house site can also be seen on this trail.

Camping is allowed along the trail for this long backpack trail.

Fire Information You can build a campfire as long as you have a 10-foot clearance around it and put a ring around it with rocks. Fires must be extinguished before leaving camp. No bon fires are allowed. No standing or green trees may be cut. Check the bulletin boards to ensure no fire bans are in effect.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Viewing Wildlife

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:

The Symmes Creek Trail near Gallipolis traverses a variety of forest types and with them, a variety of wildlife species. Along this trail you'll find large rock outcrops and natural wetlands. Spend a leisurely day in this scenic area watching birds, upland wildlife and rock dwelling creatures in the rock outcrops.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Boating - Non-Motorized

Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:

Symmes Creek offers fishing and canoe opportunities during the spring and fall. However, the only access points on National Forest System land are unimproved with no facilities. For those with their own canoes, the creek meanders through scenic pastoral America.

There are no liveries available in this area for canoe or kayak rentals. 

Trailer Parking Parking is provided at trailheads.
Type of Craft Canoes, kayaks and flat-bottom Jon boats
Fuel availability Motors boats not recommended.
Launch Ramps Undeveloped, launch from creeks and river banks

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Area/Length : 
14 miles

  Latitude : 
38.81626735

  Longitude : 
-82.44504275