Best Hikes Ever: Burr Oak State Park, OH

This trail is VERY POORLY MAINTAINED. It's better avoided until Fall or Winter, when most of the weeds and briers are dead. I went with my boyfriend just after labor day 2011, and much of the trail on the NE side of the lake looked abandoned, it was so overgrown. We spent four hours of our second day chopping our way through with a machete. Bad.
Also, beware of the 'campsite' shown on park maps at the North end of the lake--it's just a gravel parking lot, with no nearby access to water.

I'm not saying this is a bad hike; it's probably just best not to do it in Summer or Spring.

Be careful, there are some awful bugs part of the year (too bad I don't remember which part)... I think it was summer, because there were thunderstorms too.. The flies, though, were pretty bad at some of the campsites

Be careful, there are some awful bugs part of the year (too bad I don't remember which part)... I think it was summer, because there were thunderstorms too.. The flies, though, were pretty bad at some of the campsites

Might I suggest googling this location. I would bet a paycheck you'll be able to find it all by yourself!

My dad and I did this hike probably 10+ years ago. We ended up bloody and bruised, because of the lack of trail maintenance. There are pricker bushes everywhere. While it was memoerable, I would not repeat it.

18 miles is definitely not right, my gps said 28, that was a nice surprise for a 2 day hike. the lake is beautiful, never saw anyone else backpack and all in all a good hike through one of the most scenic parts of Ohio.

It's in Southeastern Ohio, where most of the interesting hikes in Ohio reside since that part of the state wasn't leveled by glaciers. That area is beautiful in the fall when the leaves change though it also brings fall rain.

Nearest to Athens in SE Ohio. http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/burroak/tabid/719/Default.aspx

Gee 'reader' Ohio isn't THAT big. And there's this thing called "google" you can use. It's very helpful for a variety of things. You should check it out.

To clarify, it's about 60 miles southeast of Columbus, about 15 miles north of Athens. Supplies can be had at the Pedaler & the Packer in Athens.

Oooops...all the parks mentioned above are located in the south east portion of ohio...2 hrs south from Columbus the capital.

Luckily for me i am acquainted with all those locations as i live within 2 hrs from them. I have hiked in many of them...the hike from Old Man's Cave to Cedar falls is particularly beautiful and only a 3 mile hike...Saleski forest has Lake Hope State Park...one of the oldest of ohio parks with very secluded campgrounds...thye hike arounf Zaleski lake is particularly beautiful in the fall....Burr Oak is also another secluded park with plenty of trails and a large lake and lodge....can't wait to return to them...

The trail is located in southeastern Ohio. Near Zanesville and Lancaster. There are a ton of campsites and cabins. Very pretty in October!

The trail is located in southeastern Ohio. Near Zanesfield and Lancaster. There are a ton of campsites and cabins. Very pretty in October!

Gee, ever thought of referring to whether this is in the north, south, central part of the state? The nearest recognizable city? Ohio is a large state, and you don't give a clue of where in the heck this hike is...

Just finished this hike around the lake (not sure that the estimate of 18 miles total is correct), and although the scenery was great, the trail maintenance is spotty. Definitely take a machete with you, or you won't be able to get through some areas on the NE side of the lake, which get overgrown with briars and shoulder-high grasses. Also, the free campsite at the Wildcat Hollow trailhead offers an outhouse but NO water. If you plan to use this site for overnight camping or for a mid-hike break, it's a good idea to cache some water here ahead of time, because the nearest place to refill water supplies would be from Sunday Creek, and of course you'd have to filter or treat creek water before drinking it. The campsites at Boat Docks 2 & 3 are really nice though, with great scenery, fire rings, picnic tables and running water (water gets shut off in November).