Forked Run State Park

Forked Run State Park is a public recreation area in eastern Ohio featuring a lake surrounded by woodlands and rolling terrain. The park provides spaces for camping, fishing, boating, and hiking through its forested sections and along water edges.

The area was shaped by iron mining and production during the 1800s, when the landscape underwent significant change. The park itself was established in 1952 when a dam created the lake, transforming the land into a recreational destination.

The place holds meaning as a restored natural space where visitors connect with the landscape that once supported iron production and rural communities. Today it represents recovery and return to natural living after a period of industrial activity.

The park is most accessible during warmer months when hiking, boating, and swimming are fully available. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes for the uneven terrain and plan time to explore the different zones throughout the grounds.

The park contains forests of oak, hickory, maple, and tulip trees that naturally regrew after heavy logging removed them in the 1800s. Walking through these woods, visitors witness how a landscape can recover and return to health after industrial use.

Location: Meigs County

Inception: 1951

Website: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/forked-run-state-park

GPS coordinates: 39.10150,-81.78760

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:21