Harrison State Forest

Harrison State Forest is a woodland area in Harrison County featuring rolling terrain with ridges and valleys covered in dense tree growth. The forest encompasses several hundred acres of natural habitat with diverse plant life and geological features.

The forest was established as a state woodland in 1961 following extensive coal mining operations on the land. This transformation marked the shift from industrial extraction to environmental protection and recovery.

The forest represents a successful environmental recovery project, where over 100,000 trees were planted across 186 acres in 1992 and 1993.

The area has two campgrounds with picnic areas, fire rings, and restroom facilities, plus over 20 miles of hiking trails. Visitors should be prepared for changing terrain and wear appropriate footwear.

The forest benefits from natural limestone deposits in the soil that neutralize acidic drainage from past mining operations. This geological feature enabled successful forest recovery on previously mined land.

Location: Harrison County

GPS coordinates: 40.33330,-81.00000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:44