Plum Ridge Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Plum Ridge Park is a beautiful nature preserve in Ohio that offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and sights to explore.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Some of the top reasons to visit Plum Ridge Park include its pristine natural beauty, the abundance of wildlife to observe, and the many hiking trails and picnic areas available for visitors to enjoy.

One of the main points of interest in Plum Ridge Park is its extensive network of hiking trails, which wind through dense forests, over rolling hills, and along babbling brooks. These trails offer visitors the chance to see a variety of plant and animal species, including wildflowers, birds, and deer.

Another popular attraction in Plum Ridge Park is its picturesque lake, which is perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic or barbecue at one of the many picnic areas scattered throughout the park.

Interesting facts about Plum Ridge Park include that it was originally part of a larger land grant to a Revolutionary War veteran, and that it was later used as a hunting preserve for wealthy industrialists in the early 20th century. Today, the park is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and is open year-round to visitors.

The best time of year to visit Plum Ridge Park depends on what activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are the best times to enjoy the park's hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities, while fall is a great time to see the changing colors of the leaves. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and other winter sports.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks