Mohican State Park: The Complete Guide

Ohio's Mohican State Park is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast.

An oasis for exploration and active outdoor excursions, Ohio's Mohican State Park should be on the list of places to visit for any visitor to the Buckeye State. Located just 60 miles southwest of Akron—and 80 miles from Cleveland—the park offers a tranquil escape from those bustling urban settings. But if you're in the mood for an adventure, you'll find plenty to love here too.

The state park covers a little more than 1,100 acres but packs more into that space than most other outdoor destinations twice its size. Visitors will be awestruck by the rolling landscapes, which include the beautiful and dramatic Clear Fork Gorge. This amazing location stretches a thousand feet across and 300 feet high, creating towering vantage points for surveying the area. Visitors will also discover dense hemlock forests situated along the Mohican River, creating a gorgeous setting all year long, but is especially colorful in the fall.

If you love nature and outdoor adventure—and are planning a trip to Ohio—Mohican State Park deserves a spot on your list of places to visit. Here is everything you need to know before you go.

Things to Do

Visitors to Mohican State Park will find plenty to see and do there. Here are a few options for exploring everything it has to offer.

Hiking/Trail Running/Horseback Riding

Mohican State Park has 13 miles of mixed-use trail dedicated to hiking, horseback riding, and trail running. Most of the routes are reserved for visitors traveling on foot, but several trails allow riders to share the way. The park even hosts one of the oldest ultramarathons in the country in the form of the Mohican Trail 100, which has been taking place every year since 1989.

Mountain Biking

The park is home to the Mohican Mountain Biking Trail, a 25-mile course that is shared with hikers. The route loops through the Clear Fork Gorge and offers some of the best access to that stunning landscape. Considered one of the best mountain bike trails in the state, the park plays host to the Mohican MTB100 each year. The 100-mile-long suffer-fest draws entrants from across the country.

Paddling/Tubing the River

Kayaking, canoeing, and tubing the Mohican River are popular activities in the park, particularly during the warm summer months. Don't expect wild whitewater, as this is more of a slow, gentle float. But it is a lovely way to explore the park's unique setting.

Fishing

If you like fishing, Mohican State Park has a lot to offer. The park's rivers, lakes, and streams are stocked with large and smallmouth bass, bluegills, and white crappie. Better still, the Clear Fork River is one of the few places in Ohio where anglers can catch brown trout. All state fishing regulations apply, and a valid license is required for all anglers aged 16 and older.

Snowmobiling/Cross Country Skiing

Mohican State Park is open year-round, offering outdoor recreation in every season. During the winter months, the park's trails are open for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, provided there is enough snow on the ground.

Best Hikes and Trails

Mohican State Park's 13 miles of dedicated hiking trail may not seem like much, but each of the routes is a great way to stretch your legs and explore the surrounding landscapes. Depending on the path they choose, hikers can wander along a gorgeous lake or river, wander past waterfalls, or plunge deep into the forest. If you want to get fully immersed in nature, there is no better way to do it.

The 2.5-mile Gorge Overlook Trail is arguably the best hike in the entire park. This loop route is moderately difficult, with steep climbs throughout. Those who take on the challenge will be rewarded with wonderful views of the rolling landscape, including a portion of the route that follows along the banks of the Clear Fork River. Sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles are strongly recommended.

The park's other great hikes include the 2-mile Hemlock Gorge Trail, which wanders past a lovely covered bridge, and the Lyons Fall Trail, which includes two spectacular waterfalls. Those who are pressed for time may want to give the Gristmill Overlook Loop a go. At .7 miles, it isn't long, but it can be steep, with a scenic lookout as a payoff.

As already noted, the 25-mile-long Mohican Mountain Bike Trail is open to hikers and backpackers looking to camp in the backcountry. While you do have to watch out for mountain bike traffic, this moderately-difficult trek does offer some amazing views of the gorge. It is a loop route for anyone looking to walk its entire length, although day hikers will probably want to turn back after the 3- or 4-mile mark.

Campgrounds

Visitors looking to camp in the park will find the Mohican State Park Campground is an excellent place to stay. It offers accommodations for tent campers, car campers, and RVers. It even has well-maintained and comfortable cabins available for rent.

The park has a total of 184 campsites available, including 100 with electricity, 51 with full RV hookups, and 33 non-electric sites. Hot showers and flush toilets are conveniently located nearby, and there is even a camp store and a dump station on the premises. Visitors will find a playground, volleyball and basketball courts, and a swimming pool that is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park's Nature Center is also open during the summer months. Wi-Fi is available in the campgrounds as well.

The well-appointed cabins come with air conditioning and heat. Each can accommodate up to six people with two private bedrooms and a sleeper sofa. Other amenities include a fully equipped kitchen, a fireplace, a screened-in porch, and a bathroom complete with a toilet and a hot shower.

Reservations for the campsites can be made up to six months in advance, while the cabins can be reserved as much as a year out. Visitors are urged to book their stay early, particularly during the busy summer travel season. Reservations can be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727.

Lodging

Other than the cabins that are available to rent, are no hotels or lodges located inside Mohican State Park. The closest accommodations can be found in nearby Mansfield, Ohio, located about 20 miles from the park entrance. There, travelers will find an assortment of national hotel chains available at a wide array of price points.

The Mohican Lodge and Conference Center is located just outside the park and offers hotel rooms, onsite dining, and a host of activities. The lodge is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and is a comfortable place to stay after a busy day in the park. Accommodations include rooms with queen and king-size beds, with accessibility options for guests with special needs.

Homestay rentals are an alternative option, both in Mansfield and Akron. There are also several boutique hotels in Loudon, Ohio, including Landoll's Mohican Castle, an upscale resort that is just two miles from the park.

How to Get There

Visitors driving to Mohican State Park from Akron will take I-76 W to OH-21 S/I-77 before turning on OH-585 S. In Green Township. From there, drive to East Union Township, then turn onto US-30 W before taking OH-3 S in Hanover. Once in Loudonville, follow the signs to the park entrance.

If you're heading to Mohican State Park from Cleveland, take I-90 W to I-71 S to US-250 W. Then take exit 186 onto US-250 W (E Main St) into Montgomery before turning south on US-42 W. Next, take the exit onto OH-511 S merging onto US-39 into Loudonville. Finally, turn onto OH-3 and follow the signs to the park entrance.

Travelers making the drive from Columbus will follow I-71 N to OH-97 E. Stay on that route until OH-3 and follow the signs.

All three cities have airports that receive a substantial amount of daily traffic, making it easy to find flights to the area.

Accessibility

Most of Mohican State Park's facilities—including restrooms, showers, the Nature Center, and the camp store—are accessible to guests in a wheelchair. The park also has parking spaces, campsites, and cabins that are accessible as well. Additionally, the nearby Mohican Lodge and Conference Center fully adheres to ADA standards, including offering accessible hotel rooms, restaurants, meeting spaces, parking, and more.

Unfortunately, most of the trails inside the park are not very wheelchair-friendly. While some of the trails start flat and relatively easy, they eventually become steeper and much more challenging. That includes routes with wooden boardwalks, which can have long inclines. The wooden surfaces can also get slick in wet conditions.

Generally speaking, the trails are not paved and mostly consist of dirt, mud, and rocks. Add in relatively steep climbs that can be demanding even for fit and strong climbers, and most of the backcountry paths quickly become inaccessible.

In nearby Loudonville, there is a 1.5-mile-long pedestrian and bike path that is fully paved, mostly flat, and wheelchair accessible. While the trail does not pass through Mohican State Park, it is an alternative for visitors to the area.

Tips for Your Visit

• There are no entry fees for visiting Mohican State Park, which makes it a fun, affordable destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurous travelers.

• Mohican State Park offers outdoor recreation all year round, but there are some activities that are reserved for the warmer summer months. For instance, the swimming pool near the campgrounds is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Similarly, the park's Nature Center is also open during the summer month and on some weekends in the off-season. Tubing and kayaking the river are best done in the summer as well.

• Cell phone service is fairly reliable in most areas of the park, with only an occasional dead zone depending on the carrier. Wi-Fi is available in the Mohican campgrounds for those who need an internet connection.

• RV campers will find 51 campsites with full hookups, including electricity, water, and sewer service. This is somewhat uncommon in a state park campground but makes Mohican a great place to park motorhomes and travel trailers.

• One of the more unique activities for visitors in Mohican State Park is gem mining. There are a number of mines throughout the area, and it is possible to find gems within the park itself. Visit the camp store to get started.

• Another popular activity for visitors is climbing the Mohican State Park Fire Tower. The 80-foot-tall structure was built in 1934 and offers expansive views in all directions.

• There are no restaurants within the park, but for a good meal before or after your visit, stop by the Mohican Country Market, Trails End Restaurant, or the Black Fork Bistro.