HomeOhioBlue Creek › Shawnee State Forest Backpacking South Loop Trailhead

Shawnee State Forest Backpacking South Loop Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 5 Google reviews · Running trail in Blue Creek, Ohio · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
0.5 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Shawnee State Forest Backpacking South Loop Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

No runner photos of Shawnee State Forest Backpacking South Loop Trailhead yet. Got one? Send it in and we will credit you.

Mixed0.5 miLoopStroller / ADAWaterTrailhead parkingMile markers

What runners say about Shawnee State Forest Backpacking South Loop Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (5 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“Not super well marked from the road, but we'll marked trail throughout.”

Moderate trail with a few serious ascends and descends. Very well marked trail with nice campsites. Some campsites have have water available as well.

★★★★★ — Jacob , May 2023

Not super well marked from the road, but we'll marked trail throughout. You Need to register elsewhere and this is just down the street.

★★★★☆ — Mike , Jun 2022

Loved the 3 day hike. Most trails were blazed well but some of the side trails were not.

★★★★☆ — Jeff , Aug 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 5 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Not super well marked from the road, but we'll marked trail throughout.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface

More trails like this →

🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

More trails like this →

🔁 Loop trail

More trails like this →

🚰 Water fountains

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking

More trails like this →

Stroller / ADA accessible

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Shawnee State Forest Backpacking South Loop Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Loop distance0.5 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteohiodnr.gov
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Shawnee State Forest Backpacking South Loop Trailhead

State Forest Service Rd 16, Blue Creek, OH 45616

Get directions

Running trails near Blue Creek

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Shawnee State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 530 reviews

West Portsmouth, OH

0.5 miLoopMixedScenic

Nature reserve popular with walkers & campers for its lake beaches, boat rentals & picnic spots.

under a mile away

Shawnee State Forest Headquarters

4.6 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

West Portsmouth, OH

Scenic

60,000-plus acres of camping & wilderness areas, with bridle & hiking trails, boating & fishing.

6.4 miles away

Raven Rock State Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 50 reviews

West Portsmouth, OH

Natural surfaceScenic

State park offering hikes with varying difficulty levels and scenic views.

7.9 miles away

Allen Eckert Trail

3 ★★★☆☆ 1 reviews

West Portsmouth, OH

8.3 miles away

Scioto Brush Creek State Nature Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ 19 reviews

McDermott, OH

1.5 miScenic

9.1 miles away

Riverfront Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 366 reviews

Portsmouth, OH

Scenic

Riverfront park with a playground and a picnic area, plus trails and river views.

10.9 miles away

All running trails in Blue Creek, OH →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.