Mohican State Park in Ohio
For nature lovers and adventurers, Ohio is as close to paradise as anyone can get. The state boasts of 73 state parks where one can hike, mountain bike, canoe, snowmobile, hunt, and fish amidst a variety of plant and animal species. Although it would be extremely difficult to pinpoint which of the 73 is best, the Mohican State Park is arguably one of them.
The park comprises 1,110 acres of land in Ashland County. It is surrounded by the Mohican Memorial State Forest, which itself has an area of 4,525 acres. The Clear Fork of the Mohican River flows through the park, providing it with plenty of water for its vegetation.
There are many tree and fern species in the park. You can find red, white, and black oaks, white pine, as well as red maple at the top of the ridges. On the lower slopes, beech, ash, hemlock, and yellow birch abound. Further down below are willow, sycamore, hawthorn, and dogwood. There are also buckeye trees, from which Ohio got its nickname. Grounds not occupied by the trees are covered with ferns, of which there at least 15 different species. These include the rare walking fern.
Animal life is likewise diverse. There are raccoons, skunks, opossums, red foxes, and white-tailed deer. Reptiles include the black rat snake, copperhead, and box turtle. You will also find the amphibian dusky salamander, American toad, and gray tree frog. For bird watchers, bald eagles are occasionally sighted in the park. In spring and summer, northern parulas, hooded warblers, cerulean warblers, and American redstarts abound in the area. The wild turkey, which had been nearly exterminated, is also making a comeback.
To make your stay at the park comfortable, there are lodges that include air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and lounge, and a gift shop. If you want a place that is more private, you can stay in one of the two-bedroom family cottages. Those who want to stay close to nature may also opt to sleep in tents. Some campsites are equipped with electric power lines while others are not. Showers and flush toilets are provided.
There are picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, and a river for canoeing. Hunting and fishing for carp, crappie, perch, catfish, bluegill as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass are allowed if you have the proper license. In winter, there is also a snowmobile trail.