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Zaleski State Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,063 Google reviews · Running trail in Zaleski, Ohio · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Zaleski State Forest'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.
Backpacking & horse-riding trails, plus a landmark sawmill & the reputedly haunted Moonville Tunnel.
What runners say about Zaleski State Forest
“Campgrounds are well maintained & have outhouses & water available.”
“A beautiful forest with an abundance of smooth gravel roads to traverse this great public land.”
Pretty nice trails, some steeper areas, but totally doable. The first trail has a pretty cool cave area(see pictures). The camping areas are pretty nice, plenty of trees for hammock's and plenty of areab for a tent. The bathroom is a just a toilet with a hole under it, smells like death.
If you looking for a strenuous but not super long backpacking trip you should definitely consider the south loop. Make it a 3 day trip if you like with two campsites. Each had several spots and water is available. Vault toilets only. Very hilly terrain so decent footwear is best.
A beautiful forest with an abundance of smooth gravel roads to traverse this great public land. Lake Hope State Park offers camping, and they do have a 22 mile backpacking trail through the forest. Convenient to US 50 and US 33, this is a must visit in Ohio.
Great trails. Well maintained and marked.I hiked the Olds Hollow Trail and part of the King Hollow Trail. I wouldn't say either are difficult but the terrain is very up and down but not too steep. You will get your heart rate up.
Trail conditions & character
“A beautiful forest with an abundance of smooth gravel roads to traverse this great public land.”
“Let’s be honest, you’ve been in the Hawking Hills too many times and you wanna try something different.”
“If you looking for a strenuous but not super long backpacking trip you should definitely consider the south loop.”
“There are trail markers A to Z that refer to a guide you can print out that gives factoids about the areas you'll pass through.”
“A beautiful forest with an abundance of smooth gravel roads to traverse this great public land.”
“Of course by this time it was pitch black with no light pollution.”
“The bathroom is a just a toilet with a hole under it, smells like death.”
Plan your run at Zaleski State Forest
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteohiodnr.gov
- Phone(740) 596-5781
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–11 PM |
Running trails near Zaleski
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Lake Hope State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 513 reviews
Swimming, boating, trails, camping & a lodge lure visitors to this 3,000-acre forested park.
Woodcock Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 5 reviews
Fox Lake Wildlife Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 111 reviews
Relaxing lake and wildlife area featuring boating, hiking and fishing.
Ash Cave
4.9 ★★★★★ 4,230 reviews
Enormous natural cavern with a waterfall surrounded by woodlands with hiking trails.
Lake Alma State Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 803 reviews
Featuring a serene lake & creek, this forested park offers campsites, 3 hiking trails & fishing.
Hocking Hills State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 17,731 reviews
Scenic park with hiking trails, archery, fishing, swimming & more amid waterfalls, cliffs & gorges.