Dysart Woods Park

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Last Updated: December 19, 2025

Dysart Woods Park is a natural area and state nature preserve located in Belmont County, Ohio.


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Summary

The park is known for its old-growth forest and rare species of plants and animals. There are several good reasons to visit the park, including hiking, bird watching, and enjoying the beauty of the forest. The park also offers educational programs and workshops about nature and conservation.

One of the main points of interest at Dysart Woods Park is the forest itself. The park has one of the largest remaining tracts of old-growth forest in Ohio, with trees that are over 400 years old. Visitors can explore the forest by hiking on the park's trails. Another highlight of the park is the variety of plant and animal species that can be found there. The park is home to several rare and endangered species, including the cerulean warbler and the Indiana bat.

Interesting facts about Dysart Woods Park include that it was nearly destroyed in the 1990s when a coal company proposed to mine the area. However, a group of concerned citizens, including environmentalists and local residents, fought to protect the park and eventually succeeded in getting it designated as a state nature preserve.

The best time of year to visit Dysart Woods Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the forest is at its most beautiful. The park is open year-round, but some trails may be closed during the winter months.

Overall, Dysart Woods Park is a unique and beautiful natural area in Ohio that is worth visiting for anyone interested in nature and conservation.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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