Welcome to my world-Shawnee State Forest

  Shawnee state forest  also know as "the little smokies" was once owned by the Shawnee Indians but was purchased in 1922. And is now the largest of the 20 state forestes in Ohio. When your looking for that perfect place to camp, hike, swim and fish Shawnee is the perfect place for the whole family.  For hiking it has over 7 miles of trails foot trails and over 60 miles of backpacking and horse back riding trails. In total shawnee state forest is 63,747 and crosses two counties in Ohio.  Camping it only permited in designated areas with in the forest.  The park areas are open between 6am to 11 pm to visitors.  The forest was severly damages in 2003 from a major ice storm and many some are still close due to active tree harvesting of damaged trees. It taken so lone to start the repairs due to protests that will damage the forest more than helping it. Over 8000 acres designated wilderness area with not tree cutting or motorized vehicles being allowed.

The forest floor is covered with wildflowers from spring to fall. Wild mushrooms can be found when looking under leaf litter under trees and near stream bed.  Harventing nuts, mushrooms and berries is allowed with in the forest but damaging any part of the forestes natural features or vegetation is strictly prohibited. Ive encluded a few images of the spring flower we found while on our hikes. 

The fire pink sticks up out of the green carpet of the forest on stem that are about 18 inches tall, They are one of the prettys spring flowers found in bloom around the first week or two in June. 

Shasta Daisys start to bloom in late May to early June.

 Purple vetch is a beautiful purple ground cover that starts blooming in early June.

 Another of the wonderful things about Shaween State forest is the dragonflies and the damselsflies.

Here is a beautiful damselfly resting on a blade of grass, all dressed up in a beautiful blue. 

Here is a beautiful dragonfly resting on a stem. one sure way to tell the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly is the postion that the wings are in when they are at rest. 

Last but not least on the list of things to see is the wildlife. You may come across a harmless queen snake resting on a branch or a beautiful Canadian goose guarding her nest.

 And then there is the amazingly beautiful lakes and creeks and woodland to explore.

Spring time is a beautful time at Shawnee.  And  with summer just around the corner its the perfect time to visit this amazing forest. 

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