The longest trail in Mohican State Park, the Mountain Bike Trail stretches 24.5 miles -- 8 miles of which pass through the state park, while the rest explore the state forest -- and is open to hiking as well as cycling. The terrain includes steep hills and long flat stretches, and the ground is often rough and rocky. Most of the trail is shaded by a thick canopy of trees, and the scenic Clear Fork Branch of the Mohican River is frequently visible along the way. You can access the trail from two trailheads, located across from the Nature Center off state Route 3 and near the fire tower near state Route 97. Cyclists must travel counterclockwise around the loop, but hikers can travel in either direction.
Mohican State Park and Mohican-Memorial State Forest have six additional trails, ranging in length from three-quarters of a mile to 2 miles, which are restricted to hiking only. Options include the 2-mile Lyons Fall Trail, which traverses easy terrain and leads to scenic views of two waterfalls along the Clear Fork Gorge. For a more challenging hike, you can hike the Hemlock Gorge trail through 2 miles of considerably more rugged terrain, including a wooden footbridge over the river. For horseback riders, the state forest offers 22 miles of bridle trails, with parking for cars and trailers at the Bridle Trail staging area off state Route 97.
Ten "park and pack" campsites are situated along the Mountain Bike and Bridle trails, allowing you to spend the night and continue exploring the trail system over the course of two or more days. Parking is located within 1 mile of each campsite, but you can only reach the sites on foot. Accommodations are rustic -- each site consists only of a cleared area and a campfire ring -- and camping is free of charge. To use a campsite, you must first self-register at the forest service center kiosk on Forest Road 60.
The trails in Mohican State Park and the neighboring state forest are open year-round, and many visitors use the trails in winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Bring plenty of drinking water, and dress in layers in case weather conditions change. Drinking water is available at various locations throughout the state park but not in the state forest or along any of the trails. For a multiday backpacking trip, you might need to treat or filter water from springs and streams. Hunting is permitted in the state forest, so wear blaze orange and hike cautiously during Ohio's hunting seasons. Trail maps and other information is available at the park's nature center and through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website.
