Shawnee State Park

Shawnee State Park is located in the heart of the Shawnee State Forest and encompasses a part of the former hunting grounds of the Shawnee Indians. Historians note that the Shawnee name means "those who have silver," as the tribe conducted considerable trade in this precious metal. A major Shawnee village, known as Lower Town, was located near the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto rivers. The Scioto River provided access to the heart of the Shawnee country in central and southern Ohio.

The Ohio River was the gateway to frontier settlement in the Ohio region as well as for Indiana and Illinois. This expansive waterway, the Spaylawitheepi in Indian tongue, was the site of many confrontations between incoming pioneers and the red man. The Shawnees monitored the influx of the white settlers from the line of ridges that overlooked the mighty Ohio River.

During the 1700s, the Shawnee Indians were gradually displaced as the settlers continued to build their cabins and dear land in this new and fertile country. The face of the region changed a great deal in the years to come, but through effective timber management practices by the state's Division of Forestry, Shawnee State Forest has regained much of its original appearance. Similarly, resource conservation programs coupled with wise land use practices at Shawnee State Park have assured that this recreational facility will continue to maintain its natural beauty.

Lands were acquired for the park in 1922 and it was first operated as Theodore Roosevelt State Game Preserve. In the 1930s, six Civilian Conservation Corps camps were located in the area. It was at the time that many of the roads and lakes of the area were constructed. In 1949, with the creation of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Parks and Recreation, the area became a State park and forest.

Link to:  Ohio Department of Natural Resources Shawnee State Park Page.

Turkey Creek Lake

Shawnee State Park Nature Center
Several hundred million years ago, a general upheaval of eastern North America made changes in the terrain that are evident In Ohio today. South and east of Ohio, the layers of bedrock folded and buckled, giving rise to the Appalachian Mountains.

Hands on at the Nature Center

The forested hills of Shawnee are a part of the Appalachian Plateau. Here, the bedrock layers were uplifted but no real distortion occurred; for this reason, Shawnee never had true "mountains." In fact, all of Ohio's hill country is a feature of stream erosion on this prehistoric raised plain and is Men referred to as the foothills of the Appalachians.

The hardwood forest is host to a diverse variety of flora and fauna. Wildflowers are abundant including several rare types of orchids such as the tiny whorled pogonia and the showy orchls.

The nature center at Shawnee Park is small, but that disguises its stature. With two naturalists on staff, there are guided tours in every season for children and adults. Hands-on activities from excavating "fossils" to tasting edible foliage in the forest captivate participants. Sharing the pristine environment of Shawnee Forest encourages conservation. There are plans to expand the nature center.
 

Shawnee Golf Course and Marina
The Marina has 3 launch ramps on the Ohio River. There are 137 seasonal dock and 13 transient docks operated by the Shawnee State Park.

The lush golf course near the banks of the beautiful Ohio River is easy to walk and appears tame, but don't be deceived.

The 5th hole is simply breathtaking, coming around a bend and opening up to a spectacular view of the Ohio River winding below.