Sports

When you think of sports, what do you envision?  Hiking, biking, kayaking and canoeing, golfing, fishing, bowling, roller skating, shooting . . . but there are also sports to watch: baseball, for one. Look below for many of the sports activities in the area.  And if you want a cool summer splash, there’s a 159 foot twisting slide at the pool near Yoctangee Park which is open during the summer and operated by the City of Chillicothe.

State Parks and Forests (click here for a complete list)

Overlook at Scioto Trail

      • Overlook at Scioto Trail
    • Great Seal State Park is the closest to the Tecumseh drama and has excellent hiking trails with a variety of terrain.
    • Scioto Trail State Park and Forest is the closest to Wren Eagle Retreat and offers mile upon mile of hiking trails and mountain bike trails, including the Scioto Trail Section of the Buckeye and North Country Trails, and two small fishing lakes.  NOTE: You will need a fishing license and must provide your own mountain bikes. 
    •  Ross Lake is an excellent place to fish, as is the Scioto River.
    • And if you want to see everywhere to hike in the county click here
  • Auto racing: Atomic Speedway 2535 Blain Highway, Waverly, OH 45690 740-703-9749
  • Hunting is available at the state forests and other places. Check out Ohio’s regulations and Hunter Education classes. Deer Processing is available nearby and I have a large freezer available upon request for your meat storage.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Chillicothe Paints:

A Prospect League wood bat baseball team made up of college and university top performers. Much more fun to watch than professional baseball. Great entertainment for the entire family. There’s no spectator sport more fun than watching the Paints play!

Cycling:

  • The Paint Creek Recreational Trail is a paved bicycle trail that runs along the floodwall in Chillicothe, by the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park, to the small town of Frankfort and then on to Washington Courthouse.  It is approximately 23 miles long.  A very nice trail to ride during temperate weather, but it can be very hot on steamy summer days. Although the trail begins on the east side of Chillicothe, that area is not very safe and I would advise starting at a small park on the other side of town. Or even drive your car to the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park and start there.   
  • If you’d like turn-by-turn directions for a 50-mile road route around Waverly.  You may download it here.

Golfing:

Buzzards Roost Nature Preserve:

An easy and beautiful hike to the rocky gorge overlooking Paint Creek this park is run by the Ross County Park District.  Five miles of trails let you explore cliffs, an old farmstead, or look for tiny saw whet owls. Click here to find out more about kids’ events in the parks.

Not nearly as exciting as Buzzards Roost, Kinnikinnick Fen is a flat 1.5 mile hike with a looping end that might appeal to some of you.  Buzzards Roost remains my favorite, both for total length of trails (about 5 miles) and for wonderful views, one being down the Paint Creek valley.

Metahqua Nature Preserve looks like a great place to hike but I haven’t tried it yet.