Brush Creek State Forest
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Brush Creek State Forest is a 12,000-acre forest located in southern Ohio.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The forest is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping. The forest is home to several species of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and squirrels.
One of the main attractions in Brush Creek State Forest is the 50-acre lake, which is stocked with a variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, and bluegill. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy fishing from the shore or from a boat.
Another point of interest in the forest is the Brush Creek Gorge, a deep, narrow valley that is home to several rare plant species. Visitors can enjoy hiking through the gorge and admiring the area's unique flora and fauna.
Throughout the forest, there are several hiking trails that offer scenic views of the surrounding landscape. The North Country Trail, a 4,600-mile trail that stretches from New York to North Dakota, passes through the forest, offering hikers a unique opportunity to experience a small part of this epic trail.
One interesting fact about Brush Creek State Forest is that it was once home to the Shawnee Native American tribe. The tribe used the area for hunting and fishing, and artifacts from their civilization can still be found in the forest today.
The best time of year to visit Brush Creek State Forest is during the fall, when the leaves on the trees change colors, creating a beautiful display of reds, oranges, and yellows. The forest is also popular in the spring and summer when the weather is warm and the wildlife is active.
Overall, Brush Creek State Forest is a beautiful and peaceful destination that offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and unique points of interest.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Rarden Community Park
Washington Township Park
Bannon Park